Practical Nursing at Ridge Technical College

Winter Haven, FL · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 375 students in Winter Haven, FL.

Program Analysis

At $36,556 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Ridge Technical College earn below the $44,151 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 97.6x 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.

Ranked #203 out of 703 programs, Ridge Technical College's Practical Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

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

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $36,556/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$382K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
97.6x
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)
$3,918
Out-of-state: $10,398

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 Ridge Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Ridge Technical College?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
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. Ridge Technical College's score of 74/100 reflects this durability.
Is Ridge Technical College a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Ridge Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
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 Ridge Technical College.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
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 →