Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Dawn Career Institute LLC

Delaware's nursing assistant and practical nursing programs typically deliver strong outcomes—the two other programs in the state with reported data show first-year earnings around $49,000-$51,000. Dawn Career Institute's estimated figures, drawn from national benchmarks, suggest lower earnings at $44,134 and higher debt at $17,644 compared to Delaware's typical $12,860 and $50,250 median earnings. That's a meaningful gap worth understanding before enrolling.

The 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio looks reasonable on paper—graduates earning $44,000 would manage $17,644 in debt within a year or two of focused repayment. But if Dawn's actual outcomes track closer to Delaware's stronger norms, this program could be competitive. If they don't, you're paying above-market rates for below-market results in a field where Delaware clearly supports better pathways. The 41% Pell grant rate shows the school serves students who need these programs to pay off quickly.

Before committing, get actual placement and earnings data directly from Dawn Career Institute. Ask where their graduates work, what their starting wages are, and how their outcomes compare to Delaware Tech and Polytech. In healthcare fields with clear licensure pathways, the school you choose matters less than passing your boards—but overpaying for training that's widely available at lower cost elsewhere makes little financial sense.