Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at ATA College

ATA College's practical nursing program lands its graduates at Kentucky's median earnings but carries debt levels that significantly exceed what most nursing programs nationally require students to take on. At $32,477, the debt burden ranks in the 95th percentile—meaning only 5% of similar programs nationwide leave students with more debt. With first-year earnings of $47,266, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.69, manageable but not ideal for a field that typically offers better returns.

The earnings trajectory adds another concern: rather than growing with experience, median pay actually drops to $45,201 by year four. This isn't typical for nursing programs, where skills and certifications usually translate to higher wages over time. The program does perform at the 60th percentile among Kentucky's three practical nursing programs, but that's a small comparison pool, and nationally it sits well below average at the 33rd percentile.

For families considering this program—84% of whom qualify for Pell grants—the value equation is challenging. You're looking at above-average debt for below-average earnings in a field where better options exist. If this is the only accessible nursing program in your area, the debt is serviceable, but if you have alternatives, programs with lower costs or stronger earnings growth would likely serve your child better.