Practical Nursing at Mercer County Technical Education Center

Princeton, WV · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 102 students in Princeton, WV.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $36,263/yr fall 18% below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Ranked #620 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Mercer County Technical Education Center falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
62
High End
Earnings $36,263/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$379K
1.0% annual growth
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.

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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Mercer County Technical Education Center and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Mercer County Technical Education Center?
A score of 62/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Mercer County Technical Education Center trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Mercer County Technical Education Center graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from Mercer County Technical Education Center?
Starting salary is one data point. If Mercer County Technical Education Center's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Mercer County Technical Education Center?
Beyond Mercer County Technical Education Center'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?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Mercer County Technical Education Center graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →