Practical Nursing at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Orangeburg, SC · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,564 students in Orangeburg, SC.

Program Analysis

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $51,754/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 108.9x 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 0%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,625 in median debt clears fast against $51,754 in annual earnings.

Ranked #74 out of 703 programs, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

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

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
82
Score
82
High End
Earnings $51,754/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$52K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
108.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,970
Out-of-state: $7,970
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,625
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,390
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?
This program scores 82/100 — 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 AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College?
At $9,625 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's Practical Nursing program stand out?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College's #74 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead?
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 certificate programs.
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. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →