Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson offers practical nursing training at a manageable cost, but the program's declining earnings pattern deserves attention. While first-year earnings of $42,651 come in above Tennessee's median for this field, graduates see their income slip to $40,173 by year four—a 6% decline that's unusual for healthcare careers. The $11,000 debt load is reasonable, translating to just 26 cents of debt for every dollar earned initially, but that ratio becomes less favorable as earnings drop.

Within Tennessee's landscape of 29 practical nursing programs, this school ranks in the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack but trailing stronger performers like TCAT Nashville ($51,085) and TCAT Athens ($46,871) by $8,000-$10,000 annually. The earnings decline suggests graduates may face challenges advancing in their careers or maintaining full-time hours compared to peers at other programs. Nationally, the program sits slightly below average at the 43rd percentile.

For families prioritizing minimal debt over maximum earnings, this program accomplishes that goal—you'll spend less borrowing here than at most Tennessee nursing programs. However, if your child aims to maximize long-term earning potential in practical nursing, the stronger TCAT locations offer significantly better outcomes. The backwards earnings trajectory makes this more suitable for students who need quick workforce entry with minimal debt rather than those banking on income growth over time.