Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES-Practical Nursing Program

Cayuga Onondaga BOCES graduates earning around $40,000 annually lag both the state median ($45,021) and national median ($44,134) for practical nursing programs, placing this in the 40th percentile among New York schools. When you compare this to top-performing NY programs like Transitions Career Institute ($65,992) or even CUNY LaGuardia ($56,230), the earnings gap becomes substantial—potentially $200,000+ over a career.

The bright spot is the manageable debt load of $13,209, which translates to a healthy debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34. The program primarily serves economically disadvantaged students (72% receive Pell grants), and the selective 31% admission rate suggests rigorous training. However, earnings growth is essentially flat—just 4% from year one to year four—which is concerning since many nursing programs show stronger salary progression as graduates gain experience and credentials.

Given the small sample size here, these numbers may not fully represent typical outcomes. But based on available data, parents should recognize this as a lower-cost entry into practical nursing that doesn't deliver the earning power of other New York programs. If your child is debt-averse and willing to accept below-median earnings in exchange for minimal borrowing, this works. If maximizing income potential matters more, exploring higher-performing programs in the state would be worth the effort.