Nursing at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a smaller institution with 2,875 students in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $58,823/yr fall 15% below the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 59.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,000 in median debt against $58,823 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #660 of 947 Nursing programs, Minnesota State Community and Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $68,312 are relatively flat compared to the $58,823 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
78
High End
Earnings $58,823/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$700K
3.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
59.3x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$11,800
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,000
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,312
16% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

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Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 78/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
At 78/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Nursing earnings lower at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Minnesota State Community and Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →