Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Vincennes University

The small sample size here demands caution, but Vincennes's practical nursing program shows first-year earnings trailing both the Indiana median ($43,928) and the national average by roughly $6,000-7,000. That's a meaningful gap in a field where starting salaries typically cluster fairly tightly. For comparison, Ivy Tech Community College—Indiana's other major LPN program—reports median earnings over $50,000, suggesting Vincennes graduates may be landing in lower-paying facilities or regions. The 40th percentile ranking within Indiana confirms this isn't just a data quirk.

The positive news: debt loads are reasonable at $14,908 (right at the national median), and earnings do grow 24% by year four, reaching $46,993. That's a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio and suggests graduates can realistically pay down loans while building career momentum. However, even with that growth trajectory, earnings remain below what peers achieve right out of the gate at competing programs.

For Indiana families, this creates a clear calculus. If Vincennes offers geographic convenience or specific program features that matter to your child, the debt won't sink them—but they should understand they're likely accepting lower earnings potential compared to the state's benchmark program. If flexibility exists in school choice, the Ivy Tech numbers suggest better initial earning power is available within the state system.