Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
mswspn.comAnalysis
Based on comparable nursing certificate programs in New York, this pathway suggests first-year earnings around $45,000—right at the state median—but with debt levels that deserve scrutiny. The estimated $19,750 borrowing is 41% higher than what similar NY programs typically produce ($14,036 median), and substantially above the national norm of $14,803. For a credential that gets nurses working quickly, that gap matters.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 isn't catastrophic, but it's less competitive than it should be for practical nursing. Several NY programs achieve significantly stronger outcomes: institutions like Transitions Career Institute and AMG School of Nursing report first-year earnings above $64,000, while community college options like LaGuardia place graduates earning $56,000. These aren't just marginal differences—they represent $11,000 to $20,000 more in annual income from day one, which dramatically changes how manageable any debt becomes.
Given that 56% of students here receive Pell grants, the higher-than-typical debt estimate is concerning. With these figures drawn from peer programs rather than Geneva General's own outcomes, your best move is requesting the school's actual graduate earnings and typical debt loads before committing. If they track close to these estimates, exploring lower-debt alternatives—particularly CUNY or BOCES programs—could deliver better financial positioning for the same credential.
Where Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in New York
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in New York (49 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General HospitalGeneva | $11,020 | $45,021* | — | $19,750* | — |
 Transitions Career Institute School of NursingCollege Point | — | $65,992* | — | $11,750* | 0.18 |
 AMG School of NursingBrooklyn | — | $64,878* | — | $14,167* | 0.22 |
 Rockland County BOCES-Practical Nursing ProgramWest Nyack | — | $60,114* | $53,978 | $11,600* | 0.19 |
 CUNY LaGuardia Community CollegeLong Island City | $5,218 | $56,230* | $56,717 | $12,256* | 0.22 |
 Veeb Nassau County School of Practical NursingHicksville | $20,230 | $56,142* | $53,251 | $12,406* | 0.22 |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Marion S Whelan School of Nursing of Geneva General Hospital, approximately 56% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 35 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.