Practical Nursing at Sumner College

Portland, OR · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

With 87% of applicants admitted, Sumner College prioritizes broad access, a compact campus enrolling 514 students in Portland, OR.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $52,391/yr, edging above the $44,151 national average for Practical Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

AI risk is moderate — 18% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

At $16,322 in median debt against $52,391 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #372 out of 703 programs, Sumner College's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $52,391 to $66,539 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
66
Low End
68
Score
69
High End
Earnings $52,391/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$696K
6.2% 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
$16,322
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,539
27% 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 Sumner College and 702 other schools.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Sumner College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Practical Nursing at Sumner College?
A score of 68/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Sumner College trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
For Sumner 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.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Sumner College?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Sumner College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Sumner College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →