Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants: is this non-credential program (preparatory coursework/teacher certification) worth it?
National picture across 9 reporting college programs.
$51,791 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,921
- Federal debt
- $14,912
- Reporting programs
- 862
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,035
- Federal debt
- $20,000
- Reporting programs
- 44
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $30,043
- Federal debt
- $15,250
- Reporting programs
- 6
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $50,497
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,791
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 9
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Chemeketa Community College$95,2022Pasco-Hernando State College$62,1503Polk State College$55,0704Valencia College$54,8625Hillsborough College$51,7916North Iowa Area Community College$37,8187Fresno City College$37,5148Salina Area Technical College$34,6379Reedley College$31,223Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemeketa Community CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Salem, OR | $95,202 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,200 |
| 2 | Pasco-Hernando State CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | New Port Richey, FL | $62,150 | Not available | Baseline needed | $5,203 |
| 3 | Polk State CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Winter Haven, FL | $55,070 | Not available | Baseline needed | $9,427 |
| 4 | Valencia CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Orlando, FL | $54,862 | Not available | Baseline needed | $12,037 |
| 5 | Hillsborough CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Tampa, FL | $51,791 | Not available | Baseline needed | $3,861 |
| 6 | North Iowa Area Community CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Mason City, IA | $37,818 | Not available | Baseline needed | $10,010 |
| 7 | Fresno City CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Fresno, CA | $37,514 | Not available | Baseline needed | $8,069 |
| 8 | Salina Area Technical CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Salina, KS | $34,637 | Not available | Baseline needed | $6,468 |
| 9 | Reedley CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification) | Reedley, CA | $31,223 | Not available | Baseline needed | $6,814 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.