WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+7% vs national median1,513 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Des Moines Area Community College

Ranked 99th of 256 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$34,222
middle 50%: $26,048 – $43,692
Median · 5 years out
$60,904
middle 50%: $48,802 – $71,676
Median · 10 years out
$67,622
middle 50%: $52,050 – $82,150

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 Des Moines Area Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $34,222 one year after graduating, rising to $67,622 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $57,142 for this field, ranking 99th 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
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,871 total interest

Same major at other universities

Blinn College
$61,426 · 5 yrs out
Spoon River College
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Valley Community College
$61,304 · 5 yrs out
Grayson College
$61,275 · 5 yrs out
Iowa Western Community College
$61,257 · 5 yrs out
State Fair Community College
$60,970 · 5 yrs out
Brazosport College
$60,895 · 5 yrs out
Bridgerland Technical College
$60,775 · 5 yrs out
Jefferson College
$60,538 · 5 yrs out
Central Maine Community College
$60,272 · 5 yrs out
John A. Logan College
$59,996 · 5 yrs out
Midland College
$59,924 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Des Moines Area Community College

Fire Protection (Certificate)
$85,523 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Certificate)
$81,357 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$81,295 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$79,157 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$78,843 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Certificate)
$72,928 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Certificate)
$71,555 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Certificate)
$71,212 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$68,222 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$68,098 · 5 yrs out

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