Practical Nursing at Victoria College

Victoria, TX · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,385 in Victoria, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,470/yr, roughly in line with the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 200.9x 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.

AI risk is moderate — 18% task exposure — and the 27% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Practical Nursing graduates.

With first-year pay of $40,470 far exceeding the $9,446 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #101 out of 703 programs, Victoria College's Practical Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $40,470 to $54,529 shows 35% 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.

81 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
78
Low End
81
Score
81
High End
Earnings $40,470/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$579K
7.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
203.0x
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)
$2,853
Out-of-state: $5,256
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,446
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,529
35% 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 Victoria College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Victoria College's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 81/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Victoria College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
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.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Victoria College?
At $9,446 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Victoria College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Victoria College rank so high for Practical Nursing?
Ranked #101 of 703 programs nationally, Victoria College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
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.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
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 →