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Practical Nursing at Midlands Technical College

West Columbia, SC · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 7,731 students in West Columbia, SC.

Program Analysis

Midlands Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $46,823/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 102.3x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,350 in median debt clears fast against $46,823 in annual earnings.

Ranked #117 out of 703 programs, Midlands Technical College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

TradeSchoolOutlook Score

Low End

Score

High End

Earnings $46,823/yr (6% vs median)

AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)

Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings

$47K

Reported median after graduation

Earnings Multiple (In-State)

102.3x

10-year earnings ÷ tuition

Viable Career Paths

2 of 2

Occupations with strong AI resilience

Program Tuition (In-State)

$4,788

Out-of-state: $13,812

Median Debt at Graduation

$13,350

3.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$39,060

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

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

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Midlands Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Midlands Technical College?

A score of 80/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Midlands Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

Is Practical Nursing from Midlands Technical College a future-proof career choice?

Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.

How affordable is Practical Nursing at Midlands Technical College?

At $13,350 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Midlands Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.

Why does Midlands Technical College rank so high for Practical Nursing?

The #117 ranking out of 703 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.

Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?

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.

How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?

The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.

Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →