Practical Nursing at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Fergus Falls, MN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,875 in Fergus Falls, MN.

Program Analysis

Minnesota State Community and Technical College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $39,109/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 83.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Practical Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Practical Nursing's career paths, with 18% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 17% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,000 in median debt clears fast against $39,109 in annual earnings.

At #210 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, Minnesota State Community and Technical College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $39,109 to $47,642 over five years — a 22% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $39,109/yr (-11% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$493K
5.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
83.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

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

Program Tuition
$5,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,642
22% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
At 74/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Is Practical Nursing from Minnesota State Community and Technical College a future-proof career choice?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Practical Nursing program at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations, such as Nurse, Licensed Practical and Nurse, Licensed Practical. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Minnesota State Community and Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in MN may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →