Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Pratt Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
prattcc.eduAnalysis
Similar nursing programs in Kansas suggest a first-year salary around $43,321 with median debt near $14,168—figures that place Pratt Community College squarely in the middle of the state's practical nursing landscape. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.33 is manageable by healthcare training standards, meaning graduates would owe roughly four months of their first year's salary.
What's encouraging is that Kansas practical nursing programs cluster fairly tightly around these estimates. The state's top-performing schools with reported data show first-year earnings ranging from $43,321 to $49,147, suggesting most graduates enter a relatively stable job market regardless of which Kansas program they complete. Pratt's estimated debt load also tracks closely with the state median of $14,544, indicating the program isn't overpriced relative to peers.
The practical question becomes location and completion. LPN training is designed to move students quickly into the workforce, and comparable Kansas programs deliver on that promise with debt levels that most nursing assistants and LPNs can manage on entry-level healthcare wages. If your child can complete this certificate without significant additional borrowing and is prepared for shift work in nursing, the financial framework here looks workable—just recognize these are estimates from peer schools, not Pratt's actual graduate outcomes.
Where Pratt Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (28 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Pratt Community CollegePratt | $4,064 | $43,321* | — | $14,168* | — |
 Donnelly CollegeKansas City | $10,350 | $49,147* | $50,011 | $27,626* | 0.56 |
 Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City | $3,150 | $48,862* | $54,440 | $14,750* | 0.30 |
 Hutchinson Community CollegeHutchinson | $3,420 | $45,344* | $43,748 | $13,210* | 0.29 |
 Rasmussen University-KansasTopeka | $15,340 | $45,271* | $46,881 | $21,274* | 0.47 |
 Washburn Institute of TechnologyTopeka | $9,120 | $43,321* | $46,895 | $17,283* | 0.40 |
| 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 Pratt Community College, approximately 19% 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 11 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.