WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+14% vs national median206 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Colorado Mesa University

Ranked 61st of 256 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$32,757
middle 50%: $24,223 – $42,246
Median · 5 years out
$65,353
middle 50%: $49,482 – $77,430
Median · 10 years out
$81,671
middle 50%: $59,848 – $94,389

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Colorado Mesa University's certificate (1-2 years) program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $32,757 one year after graduating, rising to $81,671 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% above the national median of $57,142 for this field, ranking 61st of 256 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7 yrs
≈ $8,609 total interest

Same major at other universities

Emily Griffith Technical College
$66,153 · 5 yrs out
Riverland Community College
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
South Texas College
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Kauai Community College
$65,868 · 5 yrs out
Galveston College
$65,534 · 5 yrs out
Rogue Community College
$65,458 · 5 yrs out
Mt. Hood Community College
$65,168 · 5 yrs out
Greenfield Community College
$65,153 · 5 yrs out
North Country Community College
$65,087 · 5 yrs out
Howard County Junior College District
$64,930 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
$64,916 · 5 yrs out
Pueblo Community College
$64,731 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Colorado Mesa University

Construction Engineering Technology/Technician (Bachelor's)
$91,987 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$89,880 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$89,103 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate)
$86,367 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$84,259 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$84,159 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$84,159 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's)
$78,278 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Bachelor's)
$76,868 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Certificate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out

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