Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Wor-Wic Community College

Wor-Wic Community College's practical nursing program shows impressive first-year earnings of $61,298—ranking in the 95th percentile nationally and beating even higher-profile Maryland programs like Community College of Baltimore County. This immediate earning power, combined with relatively modest debt of $12,725, creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21, meaning graduates typically earn nearly five times their debt in the first year alone. For families concerned about affordability—and 41% of students here receive Pell grants—that's a manageable financial burden with quick payoff potential.

The significant caveat is the earnings decline to $56,065 by year four, an 8% drop that's unusual for nursing programs. This could reflect the realities of LPN work—physically demanding with limited advancement without further credentials—or it might be an artifact of the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked). It's worth noting that even at year four, earnings remain competitive with the state median of $51,369.

For a family considering this program: the immediate financial return is strong, and the debt load is reasonable, making this a solid pathway into healthcare. Just understand that career growth as an LPN typically requires transitioning to an RN program. If your child views this as a stepping stone rather than a final destination, the low debt and strong starting salary make it an excellent launchpad.