Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Applied Tech

Applied Tech's nursing assistant program delivers slightly below-average starting salaries but compensates with manageable debt and solid earning progression. New graduates earn $43,456—just under national and state medians—but four years out, that jumps 23% to $53,312, putting them ahead of typical outcomes. At 60th percentile for Missouri earnings, this beats more than half of competing programs in the state, though it trails top performers like North Central Missouri College and Mineral Area College by $6,000-$16,000.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable. At $17,750, it's higher than both state and national medians, but the 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than half their first year's salary—well within manageable territory for this career path. Given that 74% of students receive Pell grants, this accessibility matters for families who need practical, affordable healthcare training.

For Missouri families seeking nursing credentials without four-year degree debt, Applied Tech represents a reasonable middle ground. You're not getting elite-tier outcomes, but you're getting solid career entry at a price point that won't derail financial plans. The strong earnings growth suggests this program prepares students to advance within the field, which may matter more than the initial starting point.