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Basic Certificate in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

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Basic Certificates in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants

38,505 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
40% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*
A basic certificate in practical nursing is offered at 577 colleges in the United States. In recent years, the majority of the students getting degrees in this area were female, and 40% were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group. Also, 0.5% of practical nursing graduates were international students.

Education Levels of Practical Nursing Majors

In 2020-2021, 38,505 earned their basic certificate in practical nursing. This makes it the 2nd most popular basic certificate 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 43,520
Basic Certificate 38,505
Associate Degree 2,006
Bachelor’s Degree 239

Earnings of Practical Nursing Majors With Basic Certificates

At this time, we do not have the data to estimate the median earnings for this class of people.

Student Debt

We do not have the data to calculate the median and range of debt loads for practical nursing students who are basic certificate holders.

Student Diversity

More women than men pursue their basic certificate in practical nursing. About 88.8% of graduates with this degree are female.

Gender Number of Grads
Men 4,302
Women 34,203
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The racial-ethnic distribution of practical nursing basic certificate students is as follows:

Race/Ethnicity Number of Grads
Asian 1,399
Black or African American 5,181
Hispanic or Latino 7,011
White 21,587
International Students 198
Other Races/Ethnicities 3,129
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There are 577 colleges that offer a basic certificate in practical nursing. Learn more about the most popular 20 below:

#1

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, Indiana
1,767 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
27% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Ivy Tech Community College tops the list of the most popular school in the U.S. for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate. Roughly 63,800 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 1,767 basic certificates were handed out to practical nursing majors at Ivy Tech Community College. About 90% of this group were women, and 27% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

617 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is the 2nd most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in practical nursing. Roughly 10,700 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 617 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from NWTC. Of these students, 88% were women and 20% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

565 Yearly Graduations
87% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Bluegrass Community and Technical College comes in at #3 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in practical nursing. Each year, around 10,100 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 565 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Of these students, 87% were women and 24% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#4

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
564 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
40% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Gateway Technical College is the 4th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in practical nursing. Each year, around 7,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 564 basic certificates were handed out to practical nursing majors at Gateway Technical College. About 91% of this group were women, and 40% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

#5

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
544 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
21% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 5th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Waukesha County Technical College. Roughly 6,900 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 544 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from WCTC. Around 21% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women.

#6

College of Lake County

Grayslake, Illinois
511 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
64% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

College of Lake County comes in at #6 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in practical nursing. Roughly 11,800 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 511 basic certificates were handed out to practical nursing majors at College of Lake County. Around 64% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 91% were women.

#7

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
499 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Madison Area Technical College comes in at #7 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in practical nursing. Roughly 13,000 attend the school each year. The average in-state tuition for full-time undergraduates is $4,230 per year, while in-state graduate students, on average, pay $4,230 per year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 499 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Madison College. Around 29% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women.

#8

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
482 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
12% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 8th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Moraine Park Technical College. Roughly 2,600 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 482 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Moraine Park Technical College. Of these students, 89% were women and 12% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#9

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
461 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
8% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 9th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Fox Valley Technical College. Roughly 11,700 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 461 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from FVTC. Around 8% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women.

#10

Access Careers

Hempstead, New York
447 Yearly Graduations
92% Women
82% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Access Careers comes in at #10 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in practical nursing. Roughly 100 attend the school each year. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 447 basic certificates were handed out to practical nursing majors at Access Careers. Of these students, 92% were women and 82% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

445 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
20% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Mountainland Technical College is the 11th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in practical nursing. Roughly 3,700 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 445 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Mountainland Technical College. About 89% of this group were women, and 20% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

440 Yearly Graduations
88% Women
43% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 12th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Columbus State Community College. Each year, around 27,600 students seeking various degrees attend the university. The practical nursing program at Columbus State Community College awarded 440 basic certificates during the 2020-2021 school year. About 88% of this group were women, and 43% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

438 Yearly Graduations
90% Women
26% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 13th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Jefferson Community and Technical College. Roughly 12,100 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 438 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Jefferson Community and Technical College. Around 26% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 90% were women.

408 Yearly Graduations
89% Women
42% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology is the 14th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in practical nursing. Roughly 4,600 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 408 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from WSU Tech. Of these students, 89% were women and 42% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#15

Davis Technical College

Kaysville, Utah
360 Yearly Graduations
81% Women
24% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Davis Technical College is the 15th most popular school in the nation for students seeking a basic certificate in practical nursing. Roughly 3,800 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 360 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Davis Tech. Around 24% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 81% were women.

#16

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
353 Yearly Graduations
85% Women
13% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

Chippewa Valley Technical College comes in at #16 on our list of the most popular colleges offering basic certificates in practical nursing. Roughly 7,300 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 353 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from CVTC. Of these students, 85% were women and 13% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#17

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
347 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
13% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 17th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Northcentral Technical College. Each year, around 5,900 students seeking various degrees attend the university. For the 2020-2021 academic year, 347 basic certificates were handed out to practical nursing majors at North Central Technical College. Around 13% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 86% were women.

#18

William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, Illinois
327 Yearly Graduations
86% Women
57% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 18th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is William Rainey Harper College. Roughly 12,100 attend the school each year. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 327 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from Harper College. Of these students, 86% were women and 57% were members of underrepresented racial-ethnic groups.

#19

Johnson County Community College

Overland Park, Kansas
317 Yearly Graduations
91% Women
29% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 19th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Johnson County Community College. Each year, around 13,800 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 317 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from JCCC. About 91% of this group were women, and 29% were students from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group.

315 Yearly Graduations
93% Women
22% Racial-Ethnic Minorities*

The 20th most popular school in the country for practical nursing majors who are seeking their basic certificate is Des Moines Area Community College. Each year, around 23,000 students seeking various degrees attend the university. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 315 people received their basic certificate in practical nursing from DMACC. Around 22% of these students were from an underrepresented racial-ethnic group, and 93% were women.

Practical Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Nursing Assistants & Aides 32,934
Licensed Practical Nursing 4,917
Other Nursing & Nursing Assistants 654

Below are some popular majors that are similar to practical nursing that offer basic certificates.

Major Annual Degrees Awarded
Allied Health Professions 20,874
Allied Health Services 17,589
Health/Medical Admin Services 16,095
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 9,031
Energy & Bio-Based Therapies 9,031

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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