Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Southeastern Technical Institute

Southeastern Technical Institute's practical nursing program launches graduates into earnings that outperform 95% of similar programs nationwide—remarkable for a field where the national median sits at just $44,134. At $62,482 in first-year earnings, graduates here earn over $18,000 more than their typical counterparts elsewhere, making the $14,499 in student debt easily manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23.

The Massachusetts context adds nuance. While these graduates earn substantially above the national benchmark, they land in the 60th percentile statewide—solid, though not elite. Massachusetts has an unusually strong market for practical nursing, with the state median at $55,338 compared to the national $44,134. Several vocational school programs in the state produce slightly higher earners, like Shawsheen Valley's $72,230, but Southeastern's combination of strong earnings and reasonable debt still delivers clear value.

The slight earnings dip to $59,818 by year four shouldn't alarm parents—this modest decline is common in nursing roles where early career overtime and shift differentials sometimes exceed later base pay. More importantly, graduates consistently earn well above what they borrowed. For families seeking an affordable path to stable healthcare employment in Massachusetts, this program offers strong return on investment, particularly given that graduates start earning immediately rather than spending years accumulating bachelor's-level debt.