Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at GateWay Community College

GateWay Community College's practical nursing program ranks at the very top in Arizona—matching first-year earnings of $60,620 that beat 95% of similar programs both statewide and nationally. When the median Arizona nursing assistant or LPN earns just $29,376, GateWay graduates more than double that figure. At roughly $13,000 in debt, graduates face payments that represent only 21% of their first-year earnings, making this one of the most manageable debt loads you'll find in healthcare training.

The significant concern is the earnings trajectory. Graduates see their income drop to $51,283 by year four—a 15% decline that's unusual for nursing credentials. This could reflect graduates moving between facilities, shifting to part-time work, or other employment patterns common in practical nursing. Still, even at the four-year mark, earnings remain well above both state and national benchmarks for the field.

For families considering nursing education in Arizona, this program offers exceptional value despite the earnings uncertainty. The debt burden is modest, initial job prospects are strong, and even if earnings decline as the data suggests, graduates are positioned well above their peers. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (29%) suggests the program attracts students across income levels, likely drawn by these strong outcomes.