Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at First Coast Technical College

Florida's nursing certificate programs show dramatic variation in outcomes, and First Coast Technical College sits squarely in the middle of the pack. Based on comparable programs statewide, graduates here can expect first-year earnings around $41,000 with debt near $10,500—a manageable 0.26 ratio that means roughly three months of gross income to cover borrowing costs. That's notably better than the national median debt of $14,800, though the earnings trail the national figure by about $3,000.

Here's what matters: peer institutions like Florida State College at Jacksonville are producing first-year earnings above $57,000 for the same credential, suggesting that where you train as an LPN in Florida significantly impacts your starting salary. The $16,000 gap between First Coast's typical outcome and the state's top performers could reflect regional labor markets (Saint Augustine versus Jacksonville metro areas), clinical placement networks, or employer relationships. With 110 programs across Florida offering this credential, location and institutional connections clearly matter.

The debt load here won't sink anyone—it's among the lowest in the state. But if your child can commute to a program with stronger placement outcomes or better connections to higher-paying healthcare systems, that earnings difference compounds quickly over a career. Compare specific employment rates and where recent graduates actually landed jobs before choosing based solely on proximity or cost.