Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

Practical nursing programs in Arkansas show considerable variation in graduate outcomes, and UA-Pulaski Technical College's estimated figures land squarely in the middle of this range. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates here can expect around $38,000 in first-year earnings against roughly $11,200 in debt—a manageable ratio of 0.29 that suggests you'd owe about three months' worth of gross income. That's reasonable for a credential designed to get you working quickly, though it's worth noting that similar programs at Baptist Health and Northwest Technical Institute produce earnings nearly $10,000 higher annually, which compounds significantly over a career in nursing.

The challenge is that these are state-wide estimates rather than outcomes specific to UA-Pulaski Tech's program. With more than half the student body receiving Pell grants, this school serves a population for whom manageable debt matters enormously. The estimated $11,200 falls below both the state and national medians for practical nursing programs, which is promising. However, the earnings estimate of $38,000 also trails the national median by nearly $6,000—a gap that doesn't disappear after year one in a field where earnings tend to plateau relatively early.

For families prioritizing quick workforce entry with limited debt, this program's estimated profile suggests reasonable value. But if your child can gain admission to one of Arkansas's top-performing practical nursing programs, the higher earnings could easily justify any modest difference in debt load.