Practical Nursing at Saline County Career Center

Marshall, MO · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

With 70% of applicants admitted, Saline County Career Center prioritizes broad access, a smaller institution with 23 students in Marshall, MO.

Program Analysis

At $38,243/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Saline County Career Center land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With only 18% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 10%. Career paths for Practical Nursing are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

The median debt load of $14,027 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #600 out of 703 programs, Saline County Career Center's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,243 to $43,635 over five years (14% 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.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
63
Score
63
High End
Earnings $38,243/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$446K
3.4% 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
$14,027
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$43,635
14% 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 Saline County Career Center? 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

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Saline County Career Center's Practical Nursing program score?
At 63/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
For Saline County Career Center graduates, AI risk is minimal. Practical Nursing rated "AI-Proof" — 82% of the work involves hands-on skills that current AI simply can't perform.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
If Saline County Career Center's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Saline County Career Center find jobs?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Saline County Career Center graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →