Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences at Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Central Lakes College-Brainerd's Health Sciences program produces graduates earning $41,201 their first year out—well above the national median of $32,798 and landing in the 77th percentile nationally. What makes this particularly notable is the debt load: at $19,550, it's lower than most programs nationwide (12th percentile, meaning 88% of similar programs burden students with more debt). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, a manageable starting point for most healthcare careers.

Within Minnesota, this program sits at the 60th percentile for earnings and matches the state median exactly. The $41,201 starting salary provides solid financial footing in Brainerd's lower cost-of-living environment compared to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where many healthcare jobs concentrate. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates—means these figures could fluctuate year to year, so they're best viewed as indicative rather than guaranteed.

For families weighing community college options in healthcare, this combination of above-average earnings and below-average debt creates favorable math. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (15%) suggests this program may not be tailored specifically for lower-income students, but the debt burden remains accessible regardless of financial background.