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Associate Degree in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

Associate Degrees in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

2,160 Yearly Graduations
$41,016 Median Salary
$16,090 Median Debt
There are 108 colleges and univerities across the nation that offer an associate degree in practical nursing. Among those who recently graduated from the schools offering this degree, the majority were women, and 71% were students from underrepresented racial-ethnic groups. Also, 0.2% of practical nursing graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Practical Nursing Majors

In 2021-2022, 2,160 earned their associate degree in practical nursing. This makes it the 16th most popular associate degree program in the country.

The following table shows the number of diplomas awarded in practical nursing at each degree level.

Education Level Number of Grads
Undergraduate Certificate 42,522
Basic Certificate 40,574
Associate Degree 2,160
Bachelor’s Degree 76

Earnings of Practical Nursing Majors With Associate Degrees

The median salary for graduates holding an associate degree in practical nursing is $41,016. However, this can depend on a number of factors, such as where you live and the number of years experience you have. To get a better picture, earnings for this category of people can range from a low of $36,186 to a high of $47,128.

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Student Debt

The median student debt for graduates holding an associate degree in practical nursing is $16,090. The length of time it takes you to graduate and what college you attend can affect this number quite a bit. The chart below shows the range of accumulated debt loads. On the high side of the range, $19,959 is the debt load, and the debt load on the low side is $10,262.

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Those students who are paying back their debt on a 10-year repayment plan have a median monthly payment of $206.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their associate degree in practical nursing. About 87.6% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 267
Women 1,893
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The racial-ethnic distribution of practical nursing associate degree students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 332
Black or African American 199
Hispanic or Latino 860
White 479
International Students 4
Other Races/Ethnicities 286
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There are 108 colleges that offer an associate degree in practical nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Unitek College

Fremont, California
254 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
67% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The most popular school in the United States for practical nursing students seekingan associate degree is Unitek College. Roughly 4,100 attend the school each year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 254 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Unitek College. About 86% of this group were women, and 67% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#2

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

San Mateo, California
152 Yearly Graduations
84% Women
89% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts comes in at #2 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Roughly 2,700 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 152 people received their associate degree in practical nursing from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. Of these students, 84% were women and 89% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#3

Carrington College, Sacramento

Sacramento, California
139 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
68% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 3rd most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Carrington College, Sacramento. Each year, around 1,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at Carrington College, Sacramento awarded 139 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. About 90% of this group were women, and 68% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#4

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas
97 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
75% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Del Mar College is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Roughly 10,300 attend the school each year. The practical nursing program at Del Mar College awarded 97 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Around 75% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 88% were women.

#5

Bates Technical College

Tacoma, Washington
77 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
52% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Bates Technical College is the 5th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Roughly 4,100 attend the school each year. The practical nursing program at Bates Technical College awarded 77 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. About 92% of this group were women, and 52% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#6

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, California
75 Yearly Graduations
94% Women
94% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 6th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Pacific College. Each year, around 300 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 75 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Pacific College. About 94% of this group were women, and 94% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

67 Yearly Graduations
74% Women
87% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 7th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro. Each year, around 5,700 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,848 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,086 per year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 67 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Metro. Around 87% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 74% were women.

64 Yearly Graduations
85% Women

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo comes in at #8 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Each year, around 3,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,848 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,086 per year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 64 people received their associate degree in practical nursing from Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Arecibo. Around 100% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 85% were women.

#9

Coconino Community College

Flagstaff, Arizona
57 Yearly Graduations
78% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Coconino Community College is the 9th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Each year, around 2,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at Coconino Community College awarded 57 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 78% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#10

PITC Institute

Wyncote, Pennsylvania
54 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
69% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

PITC Institute comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Each year, around 600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at PITC Institute awarded 54 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 92% were women and 69% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#11

ATA College

Louisville, Kentucky
47 Yearly Graduations
94% Women
55% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

ATA College comes in at #11 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Each year, around 200 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at ATA College awarded 47 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 94% were women and 55% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

40 Yearly Graduations
70% Women

The 12th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla. Roughly 3,200 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,848 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,086 per year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 40 people received their associate degree in practical nursing from Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Aguadilla. About 70% of this group were women, and 100% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#13

North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, North Dakota
38 Yearly Graduations
96% Women
19% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 13th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is North Dakota State College of Science. Each year, around 2,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at North Dakota State College of Science awarded 38 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. About 96% of this group were women, and 19% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#14

Green River College

Auburn, Washington
36 Yearly Graduations
97% Women
59% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Green River College comes in at #14 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Roughly 6,500 attend the school each year. During the 2021-2022 academic year, 36 people received their associate degree in practical nursing from GRC. Of these students, 97% were women and 59% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, California
35 Yearly Graduations
100% Women
81% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 15th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their associate degree is Long Beach City College. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 35 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Long Beach City College. Of these students, 100% were women and 81% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

34 Yearly Graduations
80% Women

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama is the 16th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Each year, around 1,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,848 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,086 per year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 34 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Guayama. Around 100% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 80% were women.

#17

Platt College - Tulsa

Tulsa, Oklahoma
33 Yearly Graduations
97% Women
77% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Platt College - Tulsa is the 17th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Each year, around 100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 33 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Platt College - Tulsa. About 97% of this group were women, and 77% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#18

Citrus College

Glendora, California
32 Yearly Graduations
82% Women
95% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Citrus College comes in at #18 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Each year, around 9,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 32 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at Citrus College. About 82% of this group were women, and 95% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#19

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, Arkansas
31 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Arkansas Tech University comes in at #19 on our list of the most popular colleges offering associate degrees in practical nursing. Roughly 9,600 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $5,820 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $5,481 per year. For the 2021-2022 academic year, 31 associate degrees were handed out to practical nursing majors at ATU. About 87% of this group were women, and 21% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#20

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
30 Yearly Graduations
95% Women
81% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Riverside City College is the 20th most popular school in the nation for students seeking an associate degree in practical nursing. Each year, around 17,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at Riverside City College awarded 30 associate degrees during the 2021-2022 school year. Of these students, 95% were women and 81% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Licensed Practical Nursing 1,743
Other Nursing & Nursing Assistants 358
Nursing Assistants & Aides 59

Below are some popular majors that are similar to practical nursing that offer associate degrees.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Allied Health Professions 28,716
Allied Health Services 18,673
Health/Medical Admin Services 17,203
Health Sciences & Services 10,520
Dental Support Services 7,216

References

*The racial-ethnic minority student count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the percentage of racial-ethnic minorities.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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