Practical Nursing at Southwest Mississippi Community College

Summit, MS · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,497 students in Summit, MS.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $30,071 place Southwest Mississippi Community College below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 79.4x 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.

Ranked #371 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Southwest Mississippi Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

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.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $30,071/yr (-32% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$315K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
79.4x
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)
$3,960
Out-of-state: $6,660
Reported Earnings (4 Year)
$22,152
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

Practical Nursing Career Guide

Practical Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southwest Mississippi Community College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Southwest Mississippi Community College?
A score of 68/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Southwest Mississippi Community College trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Is Practical Nursing from Southwest Mississippi Community College a future-proof career choice?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Southwest Mississippi Community College's score of 68/100 reflects this durability.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Southwest Mississippi Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Southwest Mississippi Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
If Southwest Mississippi Community 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.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
The very large job market (258,500 annual openings) works in favor of Practical Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →