Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Four Rivers Career Center

Four Rivers graduates earn $50,931 in their first year—outpacing both the national median ($44,134) and Missouri's median ($43,355) for practical nursing programs. That's a strong start, ranking in the 78th percentile nationally and 60th percentile statewide. With debt around $14,900, graduates face less than three months of earnings to repay their loans initially, which looks manageable for a vocational program serving a predominantly working-class student body (62% receive Pell grants).

The concern is what happens next: by year four, earnings drop to $37,889, a 26% decline that's unusual in healthcare. This could reflect graduates shifting to part-time work, moving into lower-paying care settings, or leaving the field—patterns that sometimes emerge in high-burnout roles. While that first-year salary is impressive, it's worth investigating whether local LPN positions in the Washington, Missouri area sustain those earnings or if graduates face limited advancement opportunities.

For families prioritizing quick entry to the workforce with minimal debt, Four Rivers delivers on that promise. The initial return is solid, and the debt load won't be crushing even if earnings soften. But if your student expects income growth over time, dig into job placement specifics and ask the school directly about that earnings trajectory—understanding why it trends downward could clarify whether this program fits your child's long-term career plans.