Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Durham Technical Community College

Durham Technical Community College's practical nursing program lands squarely in the middle of North Carolina's competitive LPN landscape—matching the state median at $46,533 while sitting 60th percentile both statewide and nationally. What sets it apart, however, is a debt profile that's substantially higher than typical. At $22,313, graduates are borrowing about $8,000 more than the NC median and nearly 50% more than the national average for these programs.

The debt burden matters because LPN programs are specifically designed to provide quick entry into healthcare without the time and expense of a full nursing degree. While the 0.48 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming by itself, the absolute dollar amount undermines the program's core value proposition. Top NC programs like Isothermal and McDowell Technical produce similar outcomes—graduates earning around $51,000—while keeping debt closer to state norms.

For families considering this path, the question is whether Durham Tech's location or other factors justify the premium. The earnings are respectable and roughly half of what you'd owe comes due in year one, making the debt manageable. But with 48 LPN programs across North Carolina, several offering better debt profiles with comparable or superior earnings, families should compare financial aid packages carefully before committing.