Practical Nursing at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College

Cumberland, KY · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 1,680 in Cumberland, KY.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $27,051/yr fall 39% below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 60.8x 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.

At $4,500 in median debt against $27,051 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #614 out of 703 programs, Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
62
Score
63
High End
Earnings $27,051/yr (-39% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$283K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
60.8x
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)
$4,656
Out-of-state: $6,192
Median Debt at Graduation
$4,500
2.0 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 Kentucky Community & Technical College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?
At 62/100, 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.
Is Practical Nursing from Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College a future-proof career choice?
For Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College 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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?
At $4,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College?
If Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College'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.
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 Kentucky Community & Technical 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 →