Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Maria College of Albany

Maria College's practical nursing program starts graduates at $39,505—below both the New York median ($45,021) and national average ($44,134). Among NY's 49 nursing programs, this ranks at just the 40th percentile, meaning six in ten comparable programs deliver better initial earnings. The gap is striking when you look at top performers: graduates from Transitions Career Institute and AMG School of Nursing earn over $60,000 in their first year, nearly 60% more than Maria College graduates.

The program does show one clear advantage: at $19,750, the debt load sits well below both state ($14,036) and national ($14,803) medians, though still substantial for an entry-level salary. The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates face half a year's salary in debt—manageable but not exceptional. Earnings do grow 27% by year four to $50,225, which helps, but that four-year figure still trails what top programs deliver immediately upon graduation.

With fewer than 30 graduates in this data, these numbers may not tell the full story. However, the consistent pattern—below-average starting pay, middle-of-the-pack state ranking, and better options within driving distance—suggests this program struggles to compete with stronger NY alternatives. If your child is set on staying local, the modest debt offers some protection. But for a practical nursing certificate, this isn't where New York's highest earners are coming from.