Practical Nursing at Rappahannock Community College

Glenns, VA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,318 students in Glenns, VA.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $33,051/yr fall 25% below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 71.7x 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 3%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Ranked #322 out of 703 programs, Rappahannock Community College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $33,051 to $35,303 over five years (7% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
69
Score
69
High End
Earnings $33,051/yr (-25% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$356K
1.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
71.9x
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)
$4,958
Out-of-state: $10,961
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$35,303
7% 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 Rappahannock Community College? 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 Rappahannock Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Rappahannock Community College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.
Is Practical Nursing from Rappahannock Community College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Rappahannock Community College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Rappahannock Community College?
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.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Rappahannock Community College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Rappahannock Community College find jobs?
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 →