WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+2% vs national median170 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Highland Community College

Ranked 122nd of 256 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$48,843
middle 50%: $36,732 – $59,452
Median · 5 years out
$58,100
middle 50%: $44,759 – $70,870
Median · 10 years out
$61,737
middle 50%: $48,761 – $79,100

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 Highland Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $48,843 one year after graduating, rising to $61,737 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 2% above the national median of $57,142 for this field, ranking 122nd 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
6.8 yrs
≈ $7,533 total interest

Same major at other universities

Southwest Texas Junior College
$59,116 · 5 yrs out
Technical College of the Lowcountry - Beaufort Campus
$59,065 · 5 yrs out
Texas State Technical College
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Community College
$58,488 · 5 yrs out
Lamar Community College
$58,249 · 5 yrs out
Northeastern Junior College
$58,249 · 5 yrs out
Iowa Lakes Community College
$57,988 · 5 yrs out
Rend Lake College
$57,938 · 5 yrs out
Kankakee Community College
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
York Technical College
$57,836 · 5 yrs out
Southwestern Community College
$57,604 · 5 yrs out
Northwest College
$57,471 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Highland Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$71,367 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$67,989 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$66,303 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$63,346 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$58,197 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Transportation and Materials Moving (Certificate)
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Ground Transportation (Certificate)
$55,464 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields (Associate)
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$52,283 · 5 yrs out

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