WhatGradsMake
Associate-2% vs national median275 grads tracked

Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Helena College University of Montana

Ranked 14th of 21 associate programs in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$37,494
middle 50%: $28,753 – $45,167
Median · 5 years out
$58,213
middle 50%: $42,124 – $73,968
Median · 10 years out
$55,228
middle 50%: $42,033 – $72,395

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

Helena College University of Montana alumni in Practical Nursing earn a median of $37,494 in their first year. This figure rises to $58,213 by year 5 and dips slightly to $55,228 by year 10.

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
7.7 yrs
≈ $8,810 total interest

Same major at other universities

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
Dakota County Technical College
$58,799 · 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
South Central College
$56,069 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Helena College University of Montana

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$78,415 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$62,818 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$62,393 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$60,837 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$60,738 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Computer Programming (Associate)
$59,048 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$55,573 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$55,573 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$53,873 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$52,221 · 5 yrs out

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