Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Northshore Technical Community College

Northshore Technical's practical nursing program sits in the bottom quarter nationally for earnings, with graduates making nearly $6,000 less than the typical LPN program graduate. More concerning, those earnings remain completely flat four years out—while many healthcare careers show steady wage growth, these graduates appear stuck at roughly $38,600.

The program does have one significant advantage: relatively low debt. At under $20,000, borrowers face a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.51, meaning the typical graduate could theoretically pay off their loans with about half a year's salary. Among Louisiana's 23 LPN programs, this one ranks right at the middle for both earnings and debt. But that middle position still means earning $15,000 less annually than graduates from top state programs like Healthcare Training Institute, a gap that compounds to over $60,000 in just four years.

For families focused purely on minimizing upfront costs, this program won't bury students in debt. But the stagnant earnings and below-average starting salary suggest limited career mobility. Parents should investigate whether graduates struggle to find full-time positions or higher-paying hospital roles, as that flat earnings trajectory is unusual in nursing fields where experience typically commands better pay.