Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Brookline College-Albuquerque

Brookline College-Albuquerque's practical nursing program sits in an uncomfortable middle ground: graduates earn roughly $29,000 annually with $9,500 in debt, which sounds manageable until you realize these are among the lowest earnings in the nation for this credential. While the program ranks at the 40th percentile in New Mexico—essentially average for the state—it lands in just the 5th percentile nationally. That's a stark gap, and it reflects a broader challenge: New Mexico's nursing assistant wages trail far behind other states. The concerning part isn't just the starting salary, though—it's that graduates see their earnings slip slightly over four years rather than grow, suggesting limited advancement opportunities.

The debt load is reasonable relative to first-year income, and more than half the students receive Pell grants, indicating this serves families who need affordable healthcare training. But "affordable" doesn't mean "good value" when Pima Medical Institute graduates in the same city earn $52,000—nearly double—doing similar work. The difference likely comes down to program quality, clinical partnerships, or employer relationships that translate into better job placements.

For a New Mexico family, this program offers quick entry into healthcare work with minimal debt, but parents should understand their child will likely need additional certifications or training to reach higher-paying LPN roles. If finances allow, exploring programs with stronger earning outcomes would be worth the effort.