Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at MCVSD

With first-year earnings of $62,124, this practical nursing program ranks in the 95th percentile nationally—substantially above the $44,134 national median. That's an impressive starting point. However, the picture becomes more nuanced when you look at New Jersey specifically. At the 60th percentile for the state, MCVSD's outcomes are solid but not exceptional. Several other NJ programs—including Essex County College and Holy Name Medical Center—place graduates at similar or slightly higher earnings, often with lower debt burdens (the state median is $17,644 versus $10,168 here, so MCVSD does have an advantage on that front).

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 is excellent, meaning your child would owe less than two months' salary. That's manageable by any standard and sets graduates up for financial stability early in their careers. The caveat here is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates in the dataset, these numbers might shift significantly year to year. A small cohort can mean less predictable outcomes.

For families seeking an affordable entry into nursing in New Jersey, this program delivers strong value—especially if proximity to Freehold matters. Just recognize that while it outperforms most of the country, it's middle-of-the-pack within a state known for strong nursing wages. If your child has access to comparable programs like Essex County College, compare costs and job placement support carefully.