Practical Nursing at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

Dover, DE · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a mid-sized student body of 11,012 in Dover, DE.

Program Analysis

At $51,082 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Delaware Technical Community College-Terry earn slightly above the $44,151 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 123.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 14%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $13,743 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #61 ranking out of 703 Practical Nursing programs nationally puts Delaware Technical Community College-Terry in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $51,082 to $60,129 over five years (18% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $51,082/yr (16% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$618K
4.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
124.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,965
Out-of-state: $11,828
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,743
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,129
18% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Delaware Technical Community College-Terry's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Delaware Technical Community College-Terry graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
Median debt of just $13,743 against $51,082/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Delaware Technical Community College-Terry?
Beyond Delaware Technical Community College-Terry's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Delaware Technical Community College-Terry graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →