Practical Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, WI · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

serving 11,362 students in Milwaukee, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $36,583 place Milwaukee Area Technical College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 125.3x 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.

With first-year pay of $36,583 far exceeding the $11,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #185 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Milwaukee Area Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $57,362 show a 57% jump from the $36,583 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.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
76
Score
77
High End
Earnings $36,583/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$639K
11.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
127.4x
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)
$5,017
Out-of-state: $7,210
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,750
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,362
57% 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Milwaukee Area Technical College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Milwaukee Area Technical College?
At 76/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
For Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Is Milwaukee Area Technical College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Milwaukee Area Technical College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Milwaukee Area 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.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Milwaukee Area Technical College find jobs?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Milwaukee Area Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →