Practical Nursing at Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, WI · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 2,031 students in Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Program Analysis

At $25,277 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Mid-State Technical College earn below the $44,151 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 89.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 18% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $4,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #524 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Mid-State Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $51,574 show a 104% jump from the $25,277 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
65
Score
66
High End
Earnings $25,277/yr (-43% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$444K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
90.8x
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)
$4,886
Out-of-state: $7,016
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,500
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$51,574
104% 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 Mid-State Technical College

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 Mid-State Technical College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 65/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Mid-State Technical College trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Mid-State Technical College's score of 65/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Mid-State Technical College?
Median debt of just $4,500 against $25,277/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is Mid-State Technical College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Mid-State Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Mid-State Technical College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Mid-State Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →