Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 6 reporting college programs.
−$352,182 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
Observed national outcomes
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $55,921
- Federal debt
- $14,912
- Reporting programs
- 862
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $64,035
- Federal debt
- $20,000
- Reporting programs
- 44
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $30,043
- Federal debt
- $15,250
- Reporting programs
- 6
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $50,497
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 1
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $51,791
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 9
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
See the spread, not just the national number.
1Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus$42,4442Caribbean University-Bayamon$30,0433Caribbean University-Carolina$30,0434Caribbean University-Ponce$30,0435Caribbean University-Vega Baja$30,0436Universal Technology College of Puerto Rico$16,943Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo CampusBachelor's Degree | Gurabo, PR | $42,444 | $31,799 | -112% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Caribbean University-BayamonBachelor's Degree | Bayamon, PR | $30,043 | $15,250 | -175% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Caribbean University-CarolinaBachelor's Degree | Carolina, PR | $30,043 | $15,250 | -174% | Negative payoff |
| 4 | Caribbean University-PonceBachelor's Degree | Ponce, PR | $30,043 | $15,250 | -175% | Negative payoff |
| 5 | Caribbean University-Vega BajaBachelor's Degree | Vega Baja, PR | $30,043 | $15,250 | -174% | Negative payoff |
| 6 | Universal Technology College of Puerto RicoBachelor's Degree | Aguadilla, PR | $16,943 | Not available | -237% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.