Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Black River Technical College

Black River Technical College's practical nursing program shows a dramatic earnings trajectory that distinguishes it from most nursing certificates. While first-year earnings of $30,491 lag behind Arkansas's state median by $8,000, graduates see their income jump 68% by year four to reach $51,181—surpassing not only the state median but also the national benchmark. This unusual pattern suggests many graduates start in lower-paid assistant or aide roles before advancing to better-compensated LPN positions.

The question is whether that wait is worth it. At just under $13,000 in debt—lower than both state and national medians—the financial risk remains manageable even during those lean early years. By year four, graduates earn more than those from higher-ranked Arkansas programs like Baptist Health ($48,332) or Northwest Technical Institute ($47,715). The program ranks in only the 25th percentile statewide initially, but that metric doesn't capture the complete earnings picture.

For families who can support a graduate through 1-2 years of entry-level healthcare wages, this program delivers strong returns. The moderate debt load means those early years won't be financially crushing, and the payoff arrives faster than most bachelor's degrees. If your child needs immediate high earnings to support themselves or repay loans aggressively, look elsewhere. But if building toward solid middle-income nursing work is the goal, Black River's outcomes justify the investment.