Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Alexandria Technical & Community College

Alexandria Technical's practical nursing program lands squarely in the middle tier among Minnesota options, earning about $6,000 less annually than the state median. While this 40th percentile ranking isn't disastrous, it's worth noting that stronger Minnesota programs—like Dakota County Technical and Lake Superior College—consistently deliver $10,000+ more in graduate earnings, often with similar or lower debt loads.

The real concern isn't just the below-average starting salary of $38,862—it's that earnings actually decline to $36,032 by year four. In practical nursing, where hands-on experience typically leads to wage growth, this backward trajectory suggests potential issues with job quality or local healthcare market conditions in the Alexandria area. The debt burden of $13,671 is manageable at 35% of first-year earnings, and it's notably lower than Minnesota's $18,866 median for this program. That's a genuine advantage.

For families committed to staying in rural Minnesota, this program provides affordable entry to nursing at a reasonable cost. But if relocation is possible, your child would likely see significantly better returns from one of the stronger Minnesota technical colleges, which offer comparable training with substantially higher earning potential. The declining earnings pattern here deserves careful consideration—you're investing in a credential that may limit long-term growth compared to alternatives just an hour or two away.