Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fort Scott Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
fortscott.eduAnalysis
Nursing programs across Kansas show a remarkably tight earnings range, with similar programs typically producing first-year earnings around $43,000 to $49,000. Fort Scott Community College's certificate falls right in the middle of this pack—the state median suggests graduates enter the workforce earning about what their peers at other Kansas community colleges make, though some programs like Donnelly and Kansas City Kansas Community College show slightly stronger outcomes.
The estimated debt load of $14,168 represents just over three months of typical first-year earnings, creating one of the more manageable debt ratios you'll find in vocational healthcare. Practical nursing credentials are designed to get students working quickly, and the relatively short training period keeps borrowing in check. Based on comparable Kansas programs, students here appear to leave with slightly less debt than the state median while earning competitive wages.
The real question is whether Fort Scott's program provides the clinical training and job placement support that distinguishes the stronger Kansas nursing programs. With peer programs showing up to $6,000 more in first-year earnings, program quality matters. The fundamentals look solid—reasonable debt for healthcare work that starts at a livable wage—but without actual outcome data for Fort Scott specifically, you're relying on the program matching what similar Kansas schools deliver. If the clinical rotations are strong and local healthcare facilities actively recruit from the program, this could be a practical path to stable employment.
Where Fort Scott Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Fort Scott Community CollegeFort Scott | $3,240 | $43,321* | — | $14,168* | — |
 Donnelly CollegeKansas City | $10,350 | $49,147* | $50,011 | $27,626* | 0.56 |
 Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City | $3,150 | $48,862* | $54,440 | $14,750* | 0.30 |
 Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson | $3,420 | $45,344* | $43,748 | $13,210* | 0.29 |
 Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka | $15,340 | $45,271* | $46,881 | $21,274* | 0.47 |
 Washburn Institute of TechnologyTopeka | $9,120 | $43,321* | $46,895 | $17,283* | 0.40 |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fort Scott Community College, approximately 26% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 11 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.