Practical Nursing at Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

Only 11% of applicants gain admission to Stanbridge University, reflecting elite selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 2,373 students in Irvine, CA.

Program Analysis

At $57,359 per year, Practical Nursing graduates from Stanbridge University significantly outpace the $44,151 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 1% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

The median debt load of $19,996 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #341 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Stanbridge University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $60,096 are relatively flat compared to the $57,359 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

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.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
69
Score
70
High End
Earnings $57,359/yr (30% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$605K
1.2% 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
$19,996
4.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$60,096
5% 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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Stanbridge University

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 69/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Stanbridge University?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →