Practical Nursing at Saint Paul College

Saint Paul, MN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 3,607 in Saint Paul, MN.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,393 track close to the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 73.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

At $9,500 in median debt against $44,393 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #195 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Saint Paul College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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.

75 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
75
Score
76
High End
Earnings $44,393/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$44K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple
73.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition
$6,318
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,263
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 Saint Paul 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 Saint Paul College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 75/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Saint Paul College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Saint Paul College?
At $9,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Saint Paul College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
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.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →