Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants
Undergraduate certificate · Lake Area Technical College · Watertown, SD
How this program compares
Graduates of the undergraduate certificate program in Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Lake Area Technical College earn a median of $42,160 one year after completing the program. Nationally, undergraduate certificate graduates in this field earn a median of $56,073 four years after graduating (middle half: $37,200–$76,301). Median debt is $9,500, about 23% of first-year earnings – a manageable level by common guidelines.
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Undergraduate certificate) at other South Dakota schools
| College | Earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|
| Western Dakota Technical College Rapid City | $43,884 | $12,720 |
| Southeast Technical College Sioux Falls | $38,446 | $11,000 |
| Mitchell Technical College Mitchell | $38,287 | $10,454 |
| National American University-Rapid City Rapid City | $37,827 | $16,625 |
Highest-paying Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants programs nationwide →
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Frequently asked questions
How much do Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants graduates from Lake Area Technical College make?
The median salary is $42,160 one year after graduation and $49,276 after five years.
How much student debt do graduates have?
Graduates who borrowed federal loans owe a median of $9,500.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release (Field of Study data). Earnings are for graduates who received federal financial aid.