WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+7% vs national median1,645 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Iowa Western Community College

Ranked 97th of 256 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$36,285
middle 50%: $27,966 – $45,128
Median · 5 years out
$61,257
middle 50%: $48,148 – $74,289
Median · 10 years out
$67,454
middle 50%: $51,834 – $83,031

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 Iowa Western Community College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $36,285 one year after graduating, rising to $67,454 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% above the national median of $57,142 for this field, ranking 97th 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
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,609 total interest

Same major at other universities

Heartland Community College
$61,566 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State College Southeast
$61,489 · 5 yrs out
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
State Fair Community College
$60,970 · 5 yrs out
Des Moines Area Community College
$60,904 · 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

Other majors at Iowa Western Community College

Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Associate)
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Associate)
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$69,905 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$68,964 · 5 yrs out
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Associate)
$67,756 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$64,754 · 5 yrs out
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$61,827 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$61,545 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$61,545 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$61,198 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$61,009 · 5 yrs out

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