WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)-20% vs national median583 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Carl Sandburg College

Ranked 240th of 256 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$39,425
middle 50%: $30,498 – $47,794
Median · 5 years out
$45,471
middle 50%: $35,599 – $58,363
Median · 10 years out
$53,991
middle 50%: $41,761 – $66,528

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Carl Sandburg College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $39,425 one year after graduating, rising to $53,991 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 20% below the national median of $57,142 for this field, ranking 240th of 256 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
8.8 yrs
≈ $10,027 total interest

Same major at other universities

Western Dakota Technical College
$47,139 · 5 yrs out
Capital Area Technical College
$46,634 · 5 yrs out
Dalton State College
$46,597 · 5 yrs out
Central Louisiana Technical Community College
$46,374 · 5 yrs out
Southside Virginia Community College
$45,983 · 5 yrs out
Moberly Area Community College
$45,628 · 5 yrs out
Eastern Gateway Community College
$45,251 · 5 yrs out
James A. Rhodes State College
$45,156 · 5 yrs out
Northwest State Community College
$45,048 · 5 yrs out
Northshore Technical Community College
$44,939 · 5 yrs out
North Central State College
$44,924 · 5 yrs out
South Louisiana Community College
$44,820 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Carl Sandburg College

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$74,805 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$64,565 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$59,900 · 5 yrs out
Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services (Associate)
$58,264 · 5 yrs out
Funeral Service and Mortuary Science (Associate)
$57,471 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$56,796 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$55,817 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$55,621 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate)
$52,920 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$52,636 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$50,402 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$48,829 · 5 yrs out

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