Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Patrick & Henry Community College

Patrick & Henry Community College's practical nursing program leaves graduates earning considerably less than their peers across Virginia—about $6,400 below the state median even four years out. While the 14% earnings growth shows positive momentum, graduates still trail the typical Virginia LPN by a meaningful margin. Compare this to Piedmont Virginia Community College, where similar graduates earn $61,566, or even the state median of $44,528. At the 40th percentile statewide, this program sits firmly in the bottom half of Virginia's nursing options.

The manageable debt load of $11,604 provides some relief, particularly since Virginia LPN programs typically carry higher debt burdens. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30, graduates can realistically pay this off within a year or two of focused payments. For a community serving students where nearly half receive Pell grants, keeping debt this low matters.

The tradeoff here is straightforward: lower upfront costs but persistently lower earnings. If your child can access one of Virginia's stronger LPN programs—particularly nearby community colleges with better placement or higher-paying regional markets—the earnings difference of $5,000-$10,000 annually compounds significantly over a career. If affordability and proximity make this the only realistic option, the debt burden won't cripple them, but understand they're accepting below-average earning potential in exchange for local access.