Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Davenport University

Davenport's nursing assistant program delivers strong first-year earnings—over $10,000 above the national median and placing graduates in the 93rd percentile nationally. However, a closer look at the Michigan market reveals this isn't the standout it first appears: several community colleges in the state produce graduates earning $60,000 to $75,000, and at the state level, Davenport ranks only at the 60th percentile. More concerning is the debt load of $34,520, roughly double Michigan's median for these programs and more than twice the national average.

The real issue isn't the debt ratio itself—at 0.62, it's manageable—but rather the opportunity cost. A Michigan family could access similar or better outcomes at community colleges with dramatically less debt. The flat earnings trajectory (actually declining slightly from year one to year four) also suggests limited career advancement within this credential. Keep in mind these figures come from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes may vary considerably.

For a practical nursing certificate, this pricing seems misaligned with market realities. Community colleges offer a more financially sensible path to the same career in Michigan, often with comparable or superior earnings and half the debt burden.