Practical Nursing at Southeast Arkansas College

Pine Bluff, AR · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a compact campus enrolling 748 students in Pine Bluff, AR.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $18,605 place Southeast Arkansas College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

With a 39.2x 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.

With first-year pay of $18,605 far exceeding the $5,767 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #681 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Southeast Arkansas College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $18,605/yr (-58% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$195K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.2x
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)
$4,960
Out-of-state: $8,260
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,767
3.7 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

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southeast Arkansas College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Southeast Arkansas College?
This program scores 52/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Practical Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Is Practical Nursing from Southeast Arkansas 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. Southeast Arkansas College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Southeast Arkansas College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southeast Arkansas College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Southeast Arkansas College?
Beyond Southeast Arkansas College's classroom route, 2 registered apprenticeships map to Practical Nursing careers — including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
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. Southeast Arkansas College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →