Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Sumner College

Sumner College's practical nursing program earns $8,200 more than the national median—a solid 19% premium that places graduates in the 83rd percentile nationally. But here's the catch: within Oregon, this same outcome lands in just the 40th percentile. Oregon's nursing market is exceptionally strong (state median of $55,182 versus $44,134 nationally), and Sumner's graduates trail the state average by nearly $3,000. With Lane Community College producing similar outcomes at likely lower cost and Institute of Technology graduates earning $6,000 more, families should weigh whether Sumner's price point makes sense for middle-of-the-pack Oregon performance.

The financial structure works reasonably well: $16,500 in debt against $52,000 first-year earnings creates a manageable 0.31 ratio, below the national debt median. That's a reasonable starting point for practical nursing work. The concerning part is the near-flat earnings trajectory—just $678 growth over four years suggests limited advancement potential or that many graduates may be hitting their ceiling quickly.

For Oregon families, this becomes a value calculation. You're getting reliable entry into nursing with debt you can handle, but you're not getting top-tier Oregon outcomes. If your child can access Lane Community College or secure admission to Institute of Technology, those paths offer better value. Sumner works if location or admission timing matters, but it's not the strongest investment among Oregon's nursing options.