Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Wake Technical Community College

Drawing from comparable programs across North Carolina, Wake Tech's practical nursing certificate appears positioned near the state median, with estimated first-year earnings around $46,500 and debt near $14,750. While we lack specific outcomes data for Wake Tech graduates, these figures track closely with what similar community college nursing programs in the state typically deliver—though several NC peers report actual outcomes $2,000 to $5,000 higher annually.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 suggests manageable financing if the estimates hold true. That's roughly three months of gross salary to cover total borrowing, which aligns with what makes practical sense for a certificate that gets graduates working quickly. However, it's worth noting that some comparable NC programs report both higher earnings and lower debt, raising questions about whether Wake Tech's specific structure delivers the same value. The estimated debt is actually slightly above both the state and national medians for this credential.

For parents evaluating this investment, the core question is whether Wake Tech's particular nursing program performs in line with these peer-based estimates or falls short. Given that stronger outcomes are documented at other NC community colleges in this same field, consider whether those alternatives might be geographically feasible. If Wake Tech is the local option, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable—though not exceptional—value, assuming your student actually achieves the statewide median earnings rather than falling below it.