Practical Nursing at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

Kansas City, MO · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

serving 10,412 students in Kansas City, MO.

Program Analysis

At $46,147/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 166.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Practical Nursing's career paths, with 18% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $12,819 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #70 of 703 programs, Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Practical Nursing program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $46,147 to $58,225 over five years — a 26% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
82
Score
83
High End
Earnings $46,147/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$608K
6.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
167.4x
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)
$3,630
Out-of-state: $9,600
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,819
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,225
26% 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 Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 82/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City?
At $12,819 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
If Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City graduates specifically, local market conditions in MO may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →