Practical Nursing at Flint Hills Technical College

Emporia, KS · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 341 students in Emporia, KS.

Program Analysis

Flint Hills Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $34,930/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 21%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 91.2x 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.

AI exposure is significant at 18% of job tasks, producing a 36% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $34,930 in annual earnings.

Ranked #222 out of 703 programs, Flint Hills Technical College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $34,930 to $52,306 shows 50% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $34,930/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$574K
10.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
92.6x
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
$6,196
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,306
50% 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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Flint Hills Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 73/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Flint Hills Technical College?
A score of 73/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Flint Hills Technical College'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. Graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Flint Hills Technical College?
At $9,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Flint Hills Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Is Flint Hills Technical College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Flint Hills Technical College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →