Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Mid-State Technical College

The earnings trajectory here demands attention: Mid-State Technical College nursing graduates earn $64,716 in their first year, then see income drop to $48,559 by year four—a 25% decline that's unusual for nursing. While the debt load of $17,447 is manageable and below Wisconsin's median, graduating into a $64,000 salary only to fall behind early-career gains doesn't match the typical nursing path.

Looking across Wisconsin's 22 nursing programs, Mid-State lands at the 40th percentile—meaning three-fifths of programs show better outcomes. Top Wisconsin technical colleges like Blackhawk and Milwaukee Area produce graduates earning $69,000+, and more importantly, those programs typically show the steady income growth that characterizes nursing careers. Mid-State's pattern suggests possible challenges with job placement, work hours, or career progression support that warrant investigation.

The fundamental concern isn't the debt or even the starting salary—it's what happens after graduation. Nursing should offer increasing earnings as you gain experience and credentials, not a declining income path. Before committing, your family should ask the school directly about this pattern: Where do graduates work? Are they finding full-time positions? What explains the fourth-year drop? Other Wisconsin technical colleges demonstrate this degree can reliably launch nursing careers—Mid-State's data suggests it may not be doing so as effectively.