Home › Southwest Wisconsin Technical College › Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Fennimore, WI · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 1,277 in Fennimore, WI.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $22,853 place Southwest Wisconsin Technical 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 82.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 18% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.

Ranked #598 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $46,496 show a 103% jump from the $22,853 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
63
Score
63
High End
Earnings $22,853/yr (-48% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$401K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.6x
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)
$4,796
Out-of-state: $6,989
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,496
103% 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

See the full career breakdown for Practical Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Electromechanical Technology ($65,078) Nursing ($61,748) Clinical Laboratory Science ($56,241) Electrical Installation ($53,024) Criminal Justice ($51,806) Agricultural Mechanization ($44,467) Computer Networking ($42,729) Business Administration ($40,415)

Explore the Degree Alternative

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 63/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College?
A score of 63/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Southwest Wisconsin Technical College trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
AI resilience is a strength here. Only 18% of Practical Nursing tasks overlap with AI capabilities, and 2 of 2 career paths remain viable even in our most conservative scenario.
Why are Practical Nursing earnings lower at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Practical Nursing from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →