Practical Nursing at Mineral Area College

Park Hills, MO · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,530 students in Park Hills, MO.

Program Analysis

At $55,389 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Mineral Area College significantly outpace the $44,151 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 113.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 1% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #48 of 703 programs, this Practical Nursing program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

The limited growth from $55,389 to $58,373 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

83 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
81
Low End
83
Score
83
High End
Earnings $55,389/yr (25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$588K
1.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
113.5x
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)
$5,180
Out-of-state: $8,090
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,373
5% 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 Mineral Area 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

What does a 83/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Mineral Area College?
At 83/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
For Mineral Area 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.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Mineral Area College?
At $9,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Mineral Area College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Mineral Area College.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →