Best institutions to study Practical Nursing
Any instructional program in practical nursing, vocational nursing, and nursing assistants not listed above.
74 U.S. institutions graduated 5,553 Practical Nursing students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.3999, a specialization of Practical Nursing (CIP 51.39), and leads most directly to the Nursing Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 31-1131).
About Practical Nursing programs
Any instructional program in practical nursing, vocational nursing, and nursing assistants not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Practical Nursing program prepares students for a rewarding career in healthcare, focusing on essential nursing skills and patient care. This program is ideal for individuals seeking to become nursing assistants or licensed practical/vocational nurses, providing a solid foundation in practical nursing principles and practices. With a variety of credential options, students can choose a path that fits their educational goals and career aspirations.
In this program, students develop core skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers vital knowledge areas including customer service, public safety, and basic medical principles, equipping graduates with the competencies needed to provide quality patient care.
Credentials awarded
What Practical Nursing graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2,884 graduates / yr · 59 institutions52%
- Award of less than 12 weeks1,724 graduates / yr · 7 institutions31%
- Associate's degree585 graduates / yr · 7 institutions11%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years269 graduates / yr · 2 institutions4.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year77 graduates / yr · 3 institutions1.4%
- Bachelor's degree11 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.2%
- Doctor's degree - professional practice3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Practical Nursing completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 7,409 |
| 2013 | 6,946 |
| 2014 | 7,116 |
| 2015 | 6,070 |
| 2016 | 4,813 |
| 2017 | 4,601 |
| 2018 | 4,373 |
| 2019 | 4,423 |
| 2020 | 4,905 |
| 2021 | 4,778 |
| 2022 | 4,708 |
| 2023 | 4,826 |
| 2024 | 4,506 |
| 2025 | 5,553 |
Top 50 institutions for Practical Nursing, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Access Careers Hempstead, NYPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 749 | 90% | — | — |
| 2 | Access Careers - Islandia Islandia, NYPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 600 | 72% | — | — |
| 3 | Unitek College Fremont, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 464 | 73% | $27,021 | $61,838 |
| 4 | Standard Healthcare Services - College of Nursing Falls Church, VAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 307 | 66% | $37,448 | $56,355 |
| 5 | Jersey College Teterboro, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 281 | 45% | $29,255 | $55,950 |
| 6 | Institute of Technology Clovis, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 266 | 73% | $24,518 | $55,599 |
| 7 | FVI School of Nursing and Technology Miami, FLPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 258 | 89% | $27,818 | $24,312 |
| 8 | Prism Career Institute - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 197 | 55% | $28,719 | $49,653 |
| 9 | MDT College of Health Sciences Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 144 | 50% | $27,375 | $54,894 |
| 10 | Chattanooga College Medical Dental and & Technical Careers Chattanooga, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 140 | 12% | $28,740 | $50,437 |
| 11 | Prism Career Institute - West Atlantic City West Atlantic City, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 121 | 61% | $29,442 | $49,653 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania Institute of Technology Media, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 120 | 21% | $17,009 | $52,794 |
| 13 | PITC Institute Wyncote, PAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 105 | 31% | $19,193 | $54,959 |
| 14 | Prism Career Institute - Cherry Hill Cherry Hill, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 101 | 61% | $30,347 | $49,653 |
| 15 | Pima Community College Tucson, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 93 | 28% | — | $47,205 |
| 16 | State Career College Gurnee, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 79 | 74% | $18,903 | — |
| 17 | Texas Health School Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 76 | 84% | $28,968 | $48,617 |
| 18 | Summit College San Bernardino, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 72 | 62% | $25,402 | $43,828 |
| 19 | Herzing University - Orlando Winter Park, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 37% | $20,697 | $47,310 |
| 20 | York County School of Technology - Adult & Continuing Education York, PAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 61 | 90% | — | $47,870 |
| 21 | Greater Lowell Technical School Tyngsboro, MAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 58 | 100% | — | $67,281 |
| 22 | American Institute of Alternative Medicine Columbus, OHPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 58 | 60% | $33,437 | $36,530 |
| 23 | Universal Training Institute Perth Amboy, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 56 | 58% | $38,094 | $58,535 |
| 24 | EHOVE Career Center Milan, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 49 | 96% | — | $43,684 |
| 25 | Tri County Regional Vocational Technical High School Franklin, MAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 48 | 70% | — | $53,693 |
| 26 | Healthcare Training Institute Union, NJPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 45 | 100% | $5,699 | $35,361 |
| 27 | Nightingale College Salt Lake City, UTPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 44 | 21% | $30,235 | — |
| 28 | Herzing University - Kenosha Kenosha, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 41 | 72% | $18,466 | $47,310 |
| 29 | Ohio Institute of Allied Health Huber Heights, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 100% | $38,315 | — |
| 30 | Lansdale School of Business North Wales, PAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 85% | $26,109 | — |
| 31 | Academy for Nursing and Health Occupations West Palm Beach, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 42% | $30,395 | $45,480 |
| 32 | Herzing University - Birmingham Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 13% | $20,803 | $47,310 |
| 33 | Herzing University - Brookfield Brookfield, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 42% | $21,076 | $47,310 |
| 34 | Polytech Adult Education Woodside, DEPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 38 | 70% | — | $49,418 |
| 35 | Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus Jefferson, OHPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 37 | 58% | — | $42,717 |
| 36 | Mid - EastCTC - Adult Education Zanesville, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 72% | — | $35,050 |
| 37 | Saint Michael College of Allied Health Washington, DCPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 83% | $40,219 | $74,782 |
| 38 | Upper Valley Career Center Piqua, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 78% | — | $44,245 |
| 39 | Taylor College Ocala, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 30 | 27% | $28,596 | — |
| 40 | Northwest College Powell, WYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 27 | 49% | — | — |
| 41 | CAAN Academy of Nursing Matteson, ILPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 26 | — | — | $55,822 |
| 42 | Cass Career Center Harrisonville, MOPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 100% | — | $50,718 |
| 43 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 23 | 59% | — | — |
| 44 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 28% | $20,965 | $47,310 |
| 45 | Americare Technical School Park Ridge, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | — | $44,843 | — |
| 46 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 31% | — | — |
| 47 | Williams Technical College Houma, LAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | 85% | $15,577 | — |
| 48 | Herzing University - Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 20 | — | $20,129 | $47,310 |
| 49 | Herzing University - Akron Akron, OHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 19% | $22,849 | $47,310 |
| 50 | Annenberg School of Nursing Reseda, CAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 18 | — | $22,173 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Practical Nursing field (CIP 51.39) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 24 states & territories
Where Practical Nursing graduates come from. Each state links to all Practical Nursing programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 31-1131, Nursing Assistants, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Practical Nursing program can pursue careers as nursing assistants or licensed practical/vocational nurses. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 2.3% and approximately 204,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $39,530, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.3999
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nursing Assistantsprimary SOC 31-1131 | $42,260 | +2.3% About as fast as average | ~204,100 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses SOC 29-2061 | $64,400 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~54,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Practical Nursing programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Turn or reposition bedridden patients.
- Answer patient call signals, signal lights, bells, or intercom systems to determine patients' needs.
- Feed patients or assist patients to eat or drink.
- Measure and record food and liquid intake or urinary and fecal output, reporting changes to medical or nursing staff.
- Provide physical support to assist patients to perform daily living activities, such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, using the toilet, standing, walking, or exercising.
- Document or otherwise report observations of patient behavior, complaints, or physical symptoms to nurses.
Tools and technology used
Other Practical Nursing specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Practical Nursing (CIP 51.39).
Common questions
What credentials can I earn from this program?+
You can earn an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, an award of less than 12 weeks, an associate's degree, or an award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years.
What skills will I learn in the Practical Nursing program?+
You will learn skills such as active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after completing this program?+
You can work as a nursing assistant or a licensed practical/vocational nurse.
What is the job outlook for nursing careers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.3% and approximately 204,100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Practical Nursing?+
Practical Nursing is CIP 51.3999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Practical Nursing (CIP 51.39). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in practical nursing, vocational nursing, and nursing assistants not listed above.
How many institutions offer Practical Nursing programs?+
74 U.S. institutions reported Practical Nursing graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 24 states & territories, awarding 5,553 credentials in the year. That is 5.0% of all Practical Nursing graduates.
How much do Practical Nursing graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Nursing Assistants occupation, which Practical Nursing most directly leads to, pays a median of $42,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Practical Nursing field report median earnings of $47,310 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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