Practical Nursing at Northwest Technical College

Bemidji, MN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 654 in Bemidji, MN.

Program Analysis

At $41,497/yr, Practical Nursing graduates from Northwest Technical College land near the $44,151 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 71.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

A #209 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Northwest Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $41,497 to $44,377 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
74
Score
74
High End
Earnings $41,497/yr (-6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$448K
1.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
71.7x
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
$6,246
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,377
7% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Practical Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwest Technical College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 74/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Northwest Technical College?
A score of 74/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northwest Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
Practical Nursing rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 18% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 2 apprenticeship pathways related to Practical Nursing. For students weighing Northwest Technical College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
Will Practical Nursing graduates from Northwest Technical College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Practical Nursing have roughly 258,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →