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Practical Nursing at North Arkansas College

Harrison, AR · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 1,184 in Harrison, AR.

Program Analysis

North Arkansas College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $38,783/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

The 139.1x 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 8%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,500 in median debt clears fast against $38,783 in annual earnings.

Ranked #144 out of 703 programs, North Arkansas College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,783 to $43,463 over five years (12% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
78
Score
79
High End
Earnings $38,783/yr (-12% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$442K
2.9% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
139.6x
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)
$3,168
Out-of-state: $5,544
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,500
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,463
12% 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

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

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at North Arkansas College

Nursing ($58,258) Allied Health Professions ($44,879) Ground Transportation ($39,576) Health Sciences ($33,196) Business ($30,627) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($27,317)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at North Arkansas College?
At 78/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. North Arkansas College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from North Arkansas College?
Median debt of just $6,500 against $38,783/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 North Arkansas College one of the best schools for Practical Nursing?
Ranked #144 of 703 programs nationally, North Arkansas College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at North Arkansas 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 North Arkansas College find jobs?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For North Arkansas College graduates specifically, local market conditions in AR may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →