Practical Nursing at Rasmussen University-Minnesota

St. Cloud, MN · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

enrolling 8,033 students in St. Cloud, MN.

Program Analysis

Rasmussen University-Minnesota's Practical Nursing program produces graduates earning $45,271/yr — within striking distance of the $44,151 national average for this trade.

With a 50.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 15% 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 — $14,167 in median debt clears fast against $45,271 in annual earnings.

A #259 ranking among 703 Practical Nursing programs places Rasmussen University-Minnesota in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $45,271 to $53,941 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.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
72
High End
Earnings $45,271/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$556K
4.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
51.0x
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
$10,899
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,167
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,941
19% 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

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Rasmussen University-Minnesota

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 71/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Practical Nursing at Rasmussen University-Minnesota?
This program scores 71/100 — 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?
Highly resilient. Practical Nursing careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 2 of 2 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Practical Nursing occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Practical Nursing graduates?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →