WhatGradsMake
Associate-1% vs national median201 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Dakota County Technical College

Ranked 13th of 21 associate programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$42,081
middle 50%: $33,433 – $51,161
Median · 5 years out
$58,799
middle 50%: $44,624 – $73,785
Median · 10 years out
n/a
not enough graduates to report

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Dakota County Technical College's associate program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants earn a median $42,081 one year after graduating, rising to $58,799 by year five. Five years out, earnings run 1% below the national median of $59,291 for this field, ranking 13th of 21 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
≈ $8,210 total interest

Same major at other universities

University of Montana (The)
$61,076 · 5 yrs out
Saint Paul College - A Community & Technical College
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
St. Cloud Technical and Community College
$60,468 · 5 yrs out
Anoka Technical College
$60,404 · 5 yrs out
Montana State University - Billings
$59,848 · 5 yrs out
Northland Community and Technical College
$59,291 · 5 yrs out
Helena College University of Montana
$58,213 · 5 yrs out
Minnesota State Community and Technical College
$58,169 · 5 yrs out
Great Falls College Montana State University
$57,867 · 5 yrs out
Treasure Valley Community College
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Northwest Technical College - Bemidji
$56,956 · 5 yrs out
Hennepin Technical College
$56,498 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Dakota County Technical College

Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$86,929 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$86,648 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$86,150 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$85,313 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$79,314 · 5 yrs out
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$77,273 · 5 yrs out
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,582 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$70,801 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$66,486 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,266 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate)
$64,645 · 5 yrs out

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