Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Riverland Community College

Riverland Community College's nursing program puts graduates ahead of most Minnesota nursing programs while keeping debt manageable, though the small graduating class means these numbers could shift. At $69,481 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $3,000 more than the typical Minnesota nursing grad and slightly outpace the national median—landing in the 60th percentile statewide. That's solid positioning, especially when debt comes in at $25,000, actually below the state's $27,655 median.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 means graduates face less than four months of first-year salary in debt—quite reasonable for healthcare training. This compares favorably to many peers, though it's worth noting that several Minnesota community colleges (Minnesota West, Minnesota State Southeast) do manage to get graduates earning $5,000 more annually. Still, Riverland's combination of above-average earnings and below-average state debt creates breathing room for new nurses.

The caveat matters here: with fewer than 30 graduates in this cohort, one or two high earners or career changers could skew these numbers significantly. If your child is considering Riverland specifically for location or fit, these outcomes suggest it delivers solid value. Just recognize that the small program size means less predictability than you'd get at a larger nursing program with hundreds of data points.