Certificate (under 1 year)+1% vs national median190 grads tracked
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Colorado Northwestern Community College
Ranked 74th of 147 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$30,238
middle 50%: $22,292 – $38,610
Median · 5 years out
$38,692
middle 50%: $28,464 – $55,060
Median · 10 years out
$52,839
middle 50%: $39,242 – $86,367
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Nursing assistant graduates earn a median $53k after 10 years. Starting salaries average $30k.
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
10.4 yrs
≈ $12,753 total interest
Same major at other universities
Minnesota West Community and Technical College
$40,642 · 5 yrs out
Trident Technical College
$40,568 · 5 yrs out
Riverland Community College
$39,998 · 5 yrs out
Trinity Valley Community College
$39,867 · 5 yrs out
Marion Technical College
$39,425 · 5 yrs out
Highland Community College
$39,048 · 5 yrs out
Salt Lake Community College
$38,623 · 5 yrs out
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
$38,509 · 5 yrs out
Aims Community College
$38,400 · 5 yrs out
Horry - Georgetown Technical College
$38,341 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$38,279 · 5 yrs out
Lincoln Land Community College
$37,608 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Colorado Northwestern Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$76,150 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$73,728 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$70,870 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$69,763 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources and Conservation (Certificate)
$64,546 · 5 yrs out
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Certificate)
$64,546 · 5 yrs out
Transportation and Materials Moving (Certificate)
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
Air Transportation (Certificate)
$64,402 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$63,292 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$62,260 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Associate)
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Certificate)
$58,065 · 5 yrs out
Related fields of study
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services
Compare universities
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions
Compare universities
Alternative and Complementary Medical Support Services
Compare universities
Alternative and Complementary Medicine and Medical Systems
Compare universities
Chiropractic
Compare universities
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions
Compare universities