Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Madison Oneida BOCES-Practical Nursing Program

Madison Oneida BOCES graduates earn roughly $41,000 whether you measure one year or four years out—unusual for a field where most programs see meaningful wage progression. While the flat trajectory is notable, the more immediate concern is that these earnings fall short of both New York's median for practical nursing programs ($45,000) and the national benchmark ($44,000). In a state where top PN programs produce graduates earning $60,000-$66,000, this program sits solidly in the bottom half.

The modest upside: debt here is manageable at $12,251, translating to a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that shouldn't crush new graduates. With 86% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves economically vulnerable students who need affordable pathways into healthcare. The sub-$13,000 price tag makes it accessible, even if the earnings don't match New York's stronger programs.

The practical calculation is straightforward. Your child can enter the nursing workforce quickly and affordably, but will likely earn $3,000-$4,000 less annually than peers from other New York programs—and significantly less than graduates from the state's top performers. If staying local is essential and minimizing debt is the priority, this works. If maximizing earning potential matters more, other New York programs offer substantially better returns for marginally more debt.