Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Mildred Elley-Pittsfield Campus

Mildred Elley-Pittsfield delivers a complicated proposition: graduates start earning more than 93% of practical nursing programs nationally, but they're paying roughly twice the typical debt load to get there. At $24,459, the debt burden is more than double Massachusetts' median for these programs ($12,123), though the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 remains manageable compared to many certificate programs.

The real concern is what happens after that strong start. Earnings drop 8% by year four—from $55,424 to $50,881—a pattern that's unusual for healthcare programs where experience typically increases earning power. While first-year earnings barely edge above the state median, several vocational schools in Massachusetts produce graduates earning $10,000-$15,000 more annually without requiring nearly as much debt. The 73% Pell grant rate suggests this program serves predominantly working-class students who need every dollar to count.

For families choosing between nursing pathways, this program gets you into the workforce earning well, but the combination of declining wages and elevated debt creates a tougher payback math than competing Massachusetts options. If your child can access one of the vocational school programs with stronger earnings trajectories and lower debt, those represent clearer value. This works as a backup option if geography or admissions limit other choices, but it shouldn't be the first pick given what's available statewide.