Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Daytona College

Florida's nursing assistant and practical nursing programs show considerable variation in outcomes, with top performers like Florida State College at Jacksonville reporting first-year earnings above $57,000. Based on comparable certificate programs across the state, Daytona College graduates can expect around $41,000 in their first year and median debt near $10,000—figures that align closely with typical Florida outcomes but fall well short of what the state's leading programs deliver.

That debt load translates to manageable monthly payments relative to earnings, which matters for the 58% of students here receiving Pell grants. Similar programs in Florida generally produce a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.24, meaning students borrow roughly three months' salary to complete their credential. The real question is whether settling for middle-of-the-pack earnings makes sense when other Florida schools are producing graduates who earn $6,000 to $16,000 more annually in the same field.

The gap matters because nursing credentials are highly portable—employers care more about licensure than where you trained. If peer programs suggest first-year earnings near $41,000 when the state's best programs consistently produce $47,000 to $57,000, your child would be accepting significantly lower earning potential. Before committing, ask Daytona College directly about their graduates' actual job placement rates and starting salaries, and compare those answers against schools with proven track records in this field.