Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Coastal Alabama Community College

First-year earnings of $63,125 position this program well above most practical nursing programs nationally, landing at the 83rd percentile—though it's worth noting this matches the median for Alabama, where nursing wages run higher than many states. Based on comparable associate degree programs at the school, graduates likely carry around $18,000 in debt, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. That's a manageable burden that new LPNs could realistically pay down within a few years while still covering living expenses.

The earnings figure here is particularly strong for an associate-level nursing credential, exceeding even the national 75th percentile for the program. Alabama's healthcare market appears to value practical nurses competitively, and Coastal Alabama's outcomes—assuming this estimate holds—suggest graduates enter that market successfully. The estimated debt sits slightly below the national median for this credential, keeping the financial risk reasonable even if the actual figure varies somewhat from the estimate.

For parents weighing this investment, the combination of above-average earnings and moderate estimated debt creates a solid value proposition. The main uncertainty lies in how closely this specific cohort's debt matches the national pattern used to estimate it, but even with some variation, the strong earnings provide meaningful cushion. If your child is committed to practical nursing, this program appears positioned to deliver competitive entry into Alabama's healthcare workforce without overwhelming debt.