Practical Nursing at Northwest Technical Institute

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

a smaller institution with 217 students in Springdale, AR.

Program Analysis

Northwest Technical Institute's Practical Nursing graduates start at $47,715/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 96.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% 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.

Northwest Technical Institute ranks #127 among 703 Practical Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

79 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
79
Score
80
High End
Earnings $47,715/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$499K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
96.3x
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
$5,184

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 Northwest Technical Institute

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwest Technical Institute's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 79/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
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. Northwest Technical Institute graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why does Northwest Technical Institute rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Northwest Technical Institute's #127 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Northwest Technical Institute?
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 Northwest Technical Institute.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Northwest Technical Institute?
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 →