Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at West Virginia Junior College-United Career Institute

West Virginia Junior College's nursing program charges about $1,600 less in debt than Pennsylvania's median for this field, but graduates earn roughly $4,500 less than their state counterparts four years out. While the program ranks above the national median (59th percentile), it sits below average among Pennsylvania's 53 nursing programs (40th percentile)—a distinction that matters since most students will compete for jobs locally. The state's stronger programs like Delaware County Technical School and Eastern Center for Arts and Technology show graduates earning $20,000+ more annually, suggesting meaningful quality differences exist within Pennsylvania's nursing landscape.

The concerning pattern here is backward momentum: earnings drop 7% between year one and year four, from $46,248 to $43,028. This decline is puzzling in a field where experience typically commands higher wages. The moderate debt of $16,439 stays manageable relative to first-year earnings, and the school serves a predominantly low-income population (75% receiving Pell grants), which adds important mission context.

For Pennsylvania families, this represents a functional pathway into nursing with controlled debt, but it's far from the strongest option in a state with many alternatives. The earnings trajectory and below-average state performance suggest exploring programs like PITC Institute or Bucks County Community College, where graduates maintain stronger earning power without substantially higher debt burdens.