Practical Nursing at Northcentral Technical College

First-year earnings of $29,626 place Northcentral 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 116.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 32% 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 $29,626 far exceeding the $3,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #261 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Northcentral Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $29,626 to $42,119 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

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.