Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Delta College

Delta College's practical nursing program graduates start at $54,108—significantly above the national median of $44,134 and roughly $10,000 higher than Michigan's typical program. While it doesn't reach the elite tier of Michigan programs like Schoolcraft ($75,104) or Gogebic ($62,799), it solidly outperforms 60% of nursing programs statewide and ranks in the 89th percentile nationally. That's a meaningful distinction for a certificate program where students are primarily seeking quick entry into stable employment.

The financial picture works well: $14,038 in debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26, meaning graduates owe roughly three months' salary. This beats Michigan's typical debt load for this program by nearly $5,000, which matters considerably for students pursuing a credential rather than a four-year degree. With over a third of Delta students receiving Pell grants, the manageable debt burden makes this accessible to students who need to minimize borrowing while entering the workforce quickly.

For families evaluating nursing certificate programs in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, Delta offers strong value—above-average starting salaries with below-average debt compared to state peers. You're not getting top-tier outcomes, but you're getting reliable preparation for a field with consistent demand at a cost that won't create financial stress early in a graduate's career.