Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Anoka-Ramsey Community College

Anoka-Ramsey's nursing program puts graduates right at Minnesota's median for earnings—$66,484 in the first year—while carrying slightly higher debt than typical state peers. That's the 60th percentile among Minnesota nursing programs, meaning you're doing better than many in-state options but not competing with the top tier. Minnesota West and Minnesota State Southeast graduates earn roughly $7,000-8,000 more annually, which compounds significantly over a nursing career.

The debt picture is actually quite manageable here. At $28,187, graduates owe just 42% of their first-year salary—well below the threshold where debt becomes burdensome. Nationally, this program ranks in the 21st percentile for debt, meaning 79% of comparable programs leave students with more to repay. Combined with steady earnings growth to nearly $70,000 by year four, most graduates should be able to handle these loan payments comfortably while building their careers.

For Minnesota families, this represents a solid middle-of-the-pack option. You're getting reliable access to nursing jobs without excessive debt, though not the premium earnings of the state's strongest programs. If location matters or admission to top-ranked programs proves difficult, Anoka-Ramsey delivers dependable outcomes—just know you're trading some earning potential for accessibility.