Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of Menominee Nation

Wisconsin's nursing market suggests a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.4 for associate programs, and the estimates here fall right in line—though parents should recognize these figures come from peer programs across the state and nation, not from tracked outcomes of College of Menominee Nation graduates specifically. The $65,000 first-year earnings figure mirrors Wisconsin's state median for nursing associate programs, while the estimated $26,600 debt sits higher than both the state median ($19,000) and national median ($20,751). That extra debt means graduates would need to dedicate roughly five months of gross first-year income to loan repayment, assuming standard terms.

The tribal college context matters here. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, many families are weighing this program against alternatives that cost less or produce higher earnings—like Blackhawk Technical College or Milwaukee Area Technical College, where reported outcomes show similar or better earnings with documented lower debt loads. But geographic access and cultural considerations may override pure financial calculations for some families in this community.

The practical question is whether the convenience and mission of this specific institution justifies potentially higher debt when the earnings outlook appears standard for Wisconsin nursing programs. For families prioritizing staying close to home or supporting tribal education, that premium might make sense. For those with geographic flexibility, the data suggests shopping around among Wisconsin's technical colleges could yield better financial outcomes.