Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Florida Career College-West Palm Beach

Graduates of this program earn roughly half what they should expect from a nursing credential in Florida. At $22,247 one year after graduation, earnings land in the 10th percentile statewide—meaning nine out of ten comparable Florida nursing programs produce better outcomes. The top programs in the state generate earnings exceeding $47,000, more than double what this program delivers.

The numbers get worse over time rather than better. By year four, median earnings actually decline to $21,476, moving in the opposite direction of career progression. Compare this to Florida State College at Jacksonville's LPN program, where graduates earn $57,579, or even the state median of $40,922. The debt load of $9,861 might seem manageable in isolation, but it translates to nearly half a year's earnings—a concerning burden when those earnings barely exceed minimum wage levels in many Florida markets.

With 68% of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a financially vulnerable population who can least afford subpar outcomes. For families considering nursing as a pathway to economic mobility, this particular program undermines that goal. Florida has 110 nursing programs to choose from, and the data strongly suggests looking elsewhere—particularly at community colleges and technical schools where graduates consistently earn $40,000-plus within their first year.