Practical Nursing at Anoka Technical College

Anoka, MN · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

a smaller institution with 1,522 students in Anoka, MN.

Program Analysis

Anoka Technical College's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $42,648/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

With a 71.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Practical Nursing involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $42,648 in annual earnings.

A #208 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Anoka Technical College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $42,648 to $44,193 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 2 registered apprenticeship programs align with Practical Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

74 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
74
Score
75
High End
Earnings $42,648/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$446K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
71.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition
$6,267
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,500
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$44,193
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

Explore what Practical Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 703 programs nationwide.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Anoka Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Anoka Technical College's Practical Nursing program score?
This program scores 74/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Practical Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Practical Nursing jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Anoka Technical College's score of 74/100 reflects this durability.
What's the typical debt for Practical Nursing graduates from Anoka Technical College?
At $9,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Anoka Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Anoka Technical College.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Anoka Technical College graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →