Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at ATA College

ATA College's nursing assistant program shows why Kentucky context matters more than national rankings. While this sits in just the 38th percentile nationally, it ranks in the 80th percentile among Kentucky programs—meaning graduates out-earn peers at roughly 18 of the 23 similar programs statewide. First-year earnings of $41,553 beat Kentucky's median by nearly $10,000, and the 22% earnings growth to over $50,000 by year four suggests graduates build valuable clinical experience.

The debt picture requires careful consideration. At $28,849, borrowing here runs roughly 2.5 times higher than both the state and national medians for these programs. However, the 0.69 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe less than they'll earn in their first year—a manageable burden that improves as salaries climb. With 84% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves working-class families who need quick entry into healthcare careers.

For Kentucky families, this represents a practical trade: higher upfront debt in exchange for earnings that substantially exceed most in-state alternatives. The robust sample size confirms these outcomes are consistent. If your child needs to start earning quickly while building toward an RN license, the strong state performance justifies the premium over community college options that may cost less but deliver $10,000+ less in early earnings.