Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Delaware County Technical School-Practical Nursing Program

Delaware County Technical School's practical nursing program reports first-year earnings of $66,000—a figure that towers over both Pennsylvania's median of $48,000 and the national benchmark of $44,000. This would place the program at the 80th percentile statewide and 95th percentile nationally, suggesting graduates are landing jobs that pay roughly 50% more than typical entry-level practical nursing positions. At $17,375 in debt, the payback math looks straightforward: graduates would need less than four months of earnings to cover their loans.

However, these impressive numbers come from a cohort of fewer than 30 graduates, which means a handful of exceptionally high earners could be skewing the picture. The school's 100% admission rate and majority Pell-eligible student body indicate it serves a broad population, not just premium candidates. It's worth noting that several other Pennsylvania technical schools produce graduates earning in the $54,000-$56,000 range—strong outcomes, but $10,000+ below what's reported here.

For families evaluating practical nursing programs in the Philadelphia area, this looks like a promising option if the numbers hold up across larger cohorts. The debt level is manageable and typical for the field. Just recognize that with such a small sample, individual results may vary more than usual from the reported median.