Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (25 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota West Community and Technical College | — | $58,585 | — | — |
| Dakota County Technical College | $48,973 | $47,179 | $14,010 | 0.29 |
| Lake Superior College | $47,190 | $41,488 | $11,969 | 0.25 |
| Rasmussen University-Minnesota | $45,271 | $46,881 | $21,274 | 0.47 |
| Ridgewater College | $44,921 | $35,126 | $23,755 | 0.53 |
| Riverland Community College | $44,726 | — | $22,356 | 0.50 |
| National Median | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs in Minnesota
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Minnesota schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dakota County Technical College Rosemount | $6,419 | $48,973 | $14,010 |
| Lake Superior College Duluth | $5,786 | $47,190 | $11,969 |
| Rasmussen University-Minnesota St. Cloud | $10,899 | $45,271 | $21,274 |
| Ridgewater College Willmar | $6,109 | $44,921 | $23,755 |
| Riverland Community College Austin | $6,250 | $44,726 | $22,356 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Minnesota West Community and Technical College, approximately 14% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.