Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology

Cambridge College of Healthcare graduates enter a crowded Florida practical nursing market in decent shape—earning above the state median in a field where many programs leave graduates struggling. While earnings here trail top performers like Florida State College at Jacksonville by $13,000, the 60th percentile ranking among Florida's 110 programs means students are doing better than most alternatives. The debt picture is more complicated: at $19,771, graduates carry nearly double the state median, though this still translates to a manageable 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio that ranks in the 18th percentile nationally (meaning very low debt relative to other programs).

The earnings decline from $44,281 to $42,525 between years one and four deserves attention. This backward slide is unusual in nursing and suggests either credential limitations (LPNs face ceiling effects compared to RNs) or job market saturation. For a program serving primarily lower-income students (63% receive Pell grants), this pattern means graduates need to maximize their initial earning years and consider whether bridge programs to RN status make sense long-term.

The verdict: This is a viable entry point into nursing for students who need quick workforce entry and can handle the above-average debt load. The higher-than-typical borrowing is offset by solid starting salaries, but families should understand they're paying a premium compared to technical colleges that offer similar credentials with half the debt. If your child can access those alternatives, the math likely favors them.