Practical Nursing at Lake Superior College
with a smaller student body of 2,456 in Duluth, MN.
Program Analysis
Lake Superior College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $47,190/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.
With a 86.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 2% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,288 in median debt clears fast against $47,190 in annual earnings.
Lake Superior College ranks #149 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $47,190 to $49,840 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.
For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
Practical Nursing Career Guide
Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.
Compare & Explore
Practical Nursing Overview
Practical Nursing at Other Schools
Other Majors at Lake Superior College
Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree
Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.