Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Diman Regional Technical Institute

Diman Regional Technical Institute's nursing program produces graduates earning more than the typical practical nursing program nationally, but the picture gets more complicated at the state level. At $55,341 first-year, graduates land right at Massachusetts' median—solid performance, but several in-state competitors deliver significantly higher returns, with top programs like Shawsheen Valley reaching $72,000.

The program's strongest selling point is its affordability. With just $10,182 in median debt—about $2,000 less than the state average—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 means graduates owe roughly two months' salary. That's manageable territory, especially for students from lower-income backgrounds (59% receive Pell grants). The slight earnings dip from year one to year four is worth noting but shouldn't derail the value proposition at this debt level.

For Fall River families seeking an affordable entry into nursing, this works. Your child will start earning a living wage immediately without crushing debt, even if they won't reach the peak earnings of grads from programs like Greater Lowell or Mount Wachusett. The tradeoff here is straightforward: similar or slightly lower debt than alternatives, but also $7,000-$17,000 less in first-year earnings compared to top Massachusetts programs. If minimizing upfront costs matters most, Diman delivers. If maximizing earning potential is the priority, other state options exist worth exploring.