Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at York County School of Technology-Adult & Continuing Education

York County School of Technology's practical nursing program delivers solid returns with relatively manageable debt, though graduates shouldn't expect significant salary growth. With median earnings around $48,000 and debt under $15,000, students face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31—meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in just four months of gross pay. That's a strong starting position for a short-term credential.

The program performs respectably within Pennsylvania, landing at the 60th percentile among the state's 53 nursing programs, and slightly above the state median of $47,572. However, there's a notable gap compared to top performers in the state—Delaware County Technical School graduates earn $66,000, nearly $18,000 more. The virtually flat earnings trajectory (just 1% growth from year one to year four) suggests this program leads to stable but limited advancement opportunities, typical for practical nursing roles where pay scales are relatively compressed.

For families seeking an affordable entry into healthcare, this program works: graduates earn above the national median for practical nursing while keeping debt in check. The 14% Pell grant rate suggests most students here come from middle-income families who value the program's efficiency. Just understand you're buying stable employment rather than a pathway to higher earnings—what your child makes at graduation is essentially what they'll make four years later.