Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Minnesota State College Southeast

Minnesota State College Southeast's nursing program launches graduates into strong first-year earnings at $74,091—exceeding both the state median ($66,484) and national average ($68,409). This places it in the 60th percentile among Minnesota programs, essentially tied with top performers like Minnesota West. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these figures could shift significantly year to year.

The concerning pattern here is the earnings decline: graduates earn about $5,300 less four years out than in their first year. This backward trajectory is unusual for nursing programs, which typically see stable or rising pay as nurses gain experience and specialty certifications. It's unclear whether this reflects regional job market dynamics, career path choices, or simply statistical noise from the limited sample.

The $36,785 debt load sits well above both state ($27,655) and national ($20,751) medians for associate nursing programs. While the 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by first-year income standards, you're looking at higher borrowing than most comparable programs for outcomes that may not hold steady. Given the small cohort and earnings uncertainty, parents should verify current placement rates and whether recent graduates are securing positions that justify the premium debt load.