Practical Nursing at GateWay Community College

Phoenix, AZ · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 3,473 in Phoenix, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,620 put GateWay Community College's Practical Nursing program 37% above the national median of $44,151 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

The 269.0x 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 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

With first-year pay of $60,620 far exceeding the $4,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #6 ranking out of 703 programs puts GateWay Community College in the top 1% for Practical Nursing. By our composite measure, very few programs deliver stronger results.

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

87 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
85
Low End
87
Score
88
High End
Earnings $60,620/yr (37% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$61K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
269.0x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,358
Out-of-state: $8,958
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,500
0.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,899
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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 GateWay Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 87/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at GateWay Community College?
This program scores 87/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
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. GateWay Community College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at GateWay Community College?
Median debt of just $4,500 against $60,620/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is GateWay Community College one of the best schools for Practical Nursing?
The #6 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Beyond GateWay Community College'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.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from GateWay Community College?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. GateWay Community College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →