Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Savannah Technical College

In Georgia's nursing landscape, Savannah Technical College's practical nursing program lands squarely in the middle—graduates earn $43,592 in their first year, just above the state median of $42,152 but trailing top performers like Augusta Technical College by more than $7,000. The estimated debt load of $13,234, based on comparable Georgia technical college programs, translates to a manageable 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's well below the typical threshold where debt becomes burdensome, particularly for a credential designed for quick workforce entry.

What's less encouraging is the earnings trajectory. While many nursing programs show at least modest growth as graduates gain experience, earnings here actually dip to $41,404 by year four—a 5% decline that's unusual in a field facing persistent staffing shortages. This could reflect the ceiling inherent in LPN roles, where advancement often requires returning to school for an RN license, or regional wage stagnation in the Savannah area. Nearly half the students here receive Pell grants, suggesting this serves as an affordable pathway for working-class students seeking stable employment.

For families weighing this investment: the debt burden appears reasonable based on peer programs, and first-year earnings provide a decent launching point. However, parents should understand their child may need to pursue additional credentials within a few years to see meaningful salary growth, making this more of a stepping stone than a destination degree.