Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Heritage University

Based on comparable nursing programs nationwide, Heritage's estimated $20,324 debt load stands notably above both the national median of $14,803 and Washington state's typical $15,769. That's roughly $5,000-6,000 more than what students at peer programs carry, which matters when you're entering a field with relatively modest starting pay.

The estimated first-year earnings of $44,134 align with national outcomes but fall short of what's typical in Washington, where the state median for LPN programs hits nearly $51,000. Two nearby technical colleges with reported data—Clover Park and Olympic—are placing graduates into jobs earning $49,000-53,000 annually, suggesting the local market pays better than national averages. If Heritage's actual outcomes mirror the state rather than national pattern, the debt picture improves somewhat, but that higher-than-typical debt burden remains a concern.

For a family considering this program, the key question is whether Heritage offers advantages that justify that extra debt—perhaps stronger clinical placements, better NCLEX pass rates, or geographic accessibility that other programs can't match. With 63% of students on Pell grants, many families here are price-sensitive. Before committing, get concrete data from Heritage on their actual graduate outcomes and compare total program costs with nearby technical colleges that appear to deliver strong results at lower debt levels.