Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration. 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration'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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration, 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Minnesota State Community and Technical College?
At 78/100, the score looks reasonable — but Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $615,418 in decade earnings vs $700,030 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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.
Can I learn Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration through an apprenticeship instead?
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →