Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Clover Park Technical College

Clover Park Technical College's practical nursing program stands out in Washington's crowded nursing market, ranking in the 60th percentile statewide with first-year earnings of $53,065—roughly $2,000 above the state median. Nationally, graduates land in the 85th percentile, earning nearly $9,000 more than typical program completers. The debt load of $16,205 translates to a manageable 0.31 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe about four months of their starting salary.

The slight earnings dip to $52,159 by year four shouldn't alarm parents—this is common in nursing assistant and LPN roles where pay peaks early due to the nature of shift work and overtime opportunities. What matters more is that even four years out, graduates still earn above both state and national medians for the field. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these outcomes.

For families considering technical college routes into healthcare, this program delivers solid financial value: below-average debt paired with above-average earnings. Your child would start earning a livable wage within months of graduation while carrying manageable student loans. If the goal is quick entry into healthcare with minimal debt burden, this represents one of the stronger practical nursing options in Washington.