Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Among Minnesota's 25 practical nursing programs, this ranks solidly in the middle—40th percentile statewide—but trails stronger in-state options by a meaningful margin. Students here earn about $39,100 their first year, roughly $3,800 less than the state median and $5,000 below what graduates make at comparable community colleges like Dakota County Technical or Lake Superior. That gap matters when you're working entry-level healthcare shifts and managing loan payments.

The upside is manageable debt. At $19,700, it's below both state and national averages, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.50—not ideal, but workable for a healthcare credential that typically leads to steady employment. A quarter of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves price-sensitive families who may prioritize accessibility over top-tier outcomes.

The practical calculation: your child could finish this program and start working as an LPN within a year or two, but they'd likely earn 10-15% less initially than peers from stronger Minnesota programs. If location or family circumstances make Fergus Falls the logical choice, the relatively low debt keeps this viable. But if mobility isn't an issue, several nearby community colleges deliver noticeably better first-year earnings for similar or lower debt loads.