Nursing at South Central College

North Mankato, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 1,890 students in North Mankato, MN.

Program Analysis

South Central College's Nursing program produces graduates earning $60,434/yr — within striking distance of the $69,474 national average for this trade.

With a 56.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $18,385 in median debt clears fast against $60,434 in annual earnings.

A #661 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places South Central College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $60,434 to $68,415 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
78
High End
Earnings $60,434/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$698K
3.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
56.8x
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
$12,292
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,385
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,415
13% 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

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from South Central College and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Central College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Central College's Nursing program score?
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.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $632,273 in decade earnings vs $697,599 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of South Central College?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Nursing from South Central College?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →