Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Dakota College at Bottineau

Dakota College at Bottineau's practical nursing program produces graduates earning $60,969 in their first year—38% more than the national median for this field and ranking in the 95th percentile nationally. This is exceptional performance for a certificate program. In North Dakota, where practical nurses generally earn above-average wages, Bottineau graduates essentially match the state median and trail only nearby Bismarck State by $660. The $17,648 in typical debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, which means graduates earn back their entire educational investment in roughly three months of work.

The numbers tell a straightforward story: North Dakota's healthcare job market pays practical nurses well, and Bottineau delivers access to those wages at a reasonable cost. While the state percentile of 60th might seem modest, it reflects how compressed earnings are among North Dakota's nursing programs—the difference between middle-of-the-pack and top performer is minimal. The low Pell grant percentage (12%) suggests this may be a self-selecting cohort of students, though that doesn't diminish the program's value.

For parents looking at practical nursing, this represents one of the field's best returns nationally. The combination of top-tier earnings and below-average debt creates immediate financial stability—a rare outcome for certificate programs.