Practical Nursing at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

Mesa, AZ · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 721 students in Mesa, AZ.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,834 place Pima Medical Institute-Mesa below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Practical Nursing's career paths, with 18% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 27% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $28,834 far exceeding the $8,894 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #664 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Pima Medical Institute-Mesa falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,834 to $38,847 over five years — a 35% 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.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
54
Low End
57
Score
57
High End
Earnings $28,834/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$413K
7.7% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,894
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,847
35% 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

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Pima Medical Institute-Mesa? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Pima Medical Institute-Mesa's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 57/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Pima Medical Institute-Mesa trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is Practical Nursing from Pima Medical Institute-Mesa a future-proof career choice?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Is Pima Medical Institute-Mesa a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Pima Medical Institute-Mesa's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
At 258,500 annual openings, Practical Nursing has a very large employment base. Pima Medical Institute-Mesa graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →