Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Virginia Peninsula Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
vpcc.eduAnalysis
Based on comparable nursing assistant programs in Virginia, this certificate appears to hit a solid middle ground: estimated debt around $11,600 against first-year earnings near $44,500. That 0.26 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates would owe roughly three months of gross income—a manageable burden that should be repayable within a few years while working full-time in healthcare.
The concerning part is the ceiling. Top-performing LPN programs in Virginia report actual outcomes well above $50,000, with Piedmont Virginia Community College's graduates earning over $61,000. Since Virginia Peninsula's figures are estimates drawn from peer programs rather than its own graduate outcomes, parents can't know whether this program consistently launches students into $44,000 positions or might be underperforming those benchmarks. The lack of reported data suggests either a very small graduate cohort or possible tracking challenges—neither especially reassuring when you're evaluating program quality.
For families seeking affordable healthcare training, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value if the program delivers what similar Virginia schools produce. But without knowing where Virginia Peninsula's actual graduates land in that wide $44,000-to-$61,000 range, you're making a financial decision with limited visibility. Contact the school directly to learn their job placement rates, typical employer partners, and whether graduates tend toward higher-paying hospital roles or lower-paying positions in long-term care facilities.
Where Virginia Peninsula Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (37 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,944 | $44,528* | — | $11,604* | — | |
| $4,928 | $61,566* | — | —* | — | |
| — | $56,355* | $64,351 | $14,750* | 0.26 | |
| $18,484 | $51,209* | $46,276 | $25,250* | 0.49 | |
| $14,083 | $50,451* | $49,631 | $20,455* | 0.41 | |
| $14,986 | $50,451* | $49,631 | $20,455* | 0.41 | |
| National Median | — | $44,134* | — | $14,803* | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Virginia Peninsula Community College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 18 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.