Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Fortis Institute-Scranton

Pennsylvania's practical nursing programs show dramatic variation in outcomes, with top schools placing graduates in positions earning $66,000 or more—substantially higher than the estimated $47,573 for similar programs in the state. That figure, drawn from 40 comparable Pennsylvania programs, sits right at the state median but falls well short of what the strongest options deliver. With 80% of students here receiving Pell grants, these differences matter enormously for families with limited financial cushion.

The estimated debt of $19,250 is manageable relative to nursing earnings—a 0.40 ratio means roughly five months of gross income to cover what's borrowed. That's reasonable for a credential that leads to steady healthcare work. However, peer programs in Pennsylvania typically carry debt closer to $17,000, and nationally the median is under $15,000. For a vocational certificate, every additional dollar borrowed cuts into what should be this program's advantage: quick entry to decent-paying work without accumulating bachelor's-degree-level debt.

The practical question is whether this program offers enough value when other Pennsylvania schools are producing significantly stronger earnings outcomes at similar or lower debt levels. Given the estimates here and the concrete alternatives available at technical schools and community colleges across the state, families should directly compare completion rates, NCLEX pass rates, and actual graduate outcomes before committing. The numbers suggest this isn't among Pennsylvania's top-performing practical nursing options.