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Practical Nursing at Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing

Wilkes Barre, PA · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing accepts 56% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, a compact campus enrolling 102 students in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $44,551 track close to the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

At $17,678 in median debt against $44,551 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #483 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $44,551 to $45,675 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

66 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
63
Low End
66
Score
66
High End
Earnings $44,551/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$466K
1.0% 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
$17,678
4.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,675
3% 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

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

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)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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 Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing?
This program scores 66/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Practical Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center 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.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Wilkes-Barre Area Career and Technical Center Practical Nursing graduates specifically, local market conditions in PA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →