Practical Nursing at Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, MA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 5,413 students in Worcester, MA.

Program Analysis

Quinsigamond Community College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $54,629/yr — above the $44,151 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 95.7x 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,353 in median debt clears fast against $54,629 in annual earnings.

Quinsigamond Community College ranks #90 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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
80
Low End
81
Score
82
High End
Earnings $54,629/yr (24% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$572K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
95.7x
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)
$5,974
Out-of-state: $10,918
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,353
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Quinsigamond Community College

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 Quinsigamond Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 81/100 — 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. Quinsigamond Community College's score of 81/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Quinsigamond Community College?
At $14,353 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Quinsigamond Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Quinsigamond Community College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Among 703 Practical Nursing programs, Quinsigamond Community College's #90 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
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 Quinsigamond Community College.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →