At $10,281/yr net price, Pine Technical & Community College graduates earn $41,232/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,232/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,281 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $41,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,232/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,232/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,392 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,151/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,389/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,133/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,630/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,478/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $58,221 | $15,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $46,478 | $11,064 |
| Human Services, General. | Associate | $40,821 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
39.8% of students at Pine Technical & Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Pine Technical & Community College delivers solid returns for specific career paths but carries significant risks due to low completion rates. The nursing programs stand out as clear financial winners, with registered nurses earning $58,221 annually against modest debt loads of $15,500.
Your biggest risk at Pine Tech is not finishing your program. With only 40% of students graduating, you face a real chance of accumulating debt without earning a credential. This risk hits hardest if you pursue lower-paying programs like Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, where $29,685 annual earnings barely justify the investment if completion takes longer than expected.
The practical nursing program offers the best risk-adjusted return, combining strong $46,478 earnings with the lowest debt burden at $11,064. This path gives you marketable skills quickly in Minnesota's healthcare-heavy job market. Human Services graduates earn $40,821, which works given the program's lower debt requirements.
Pine Tech makes financial sense if you can commit fully to nursing or practical nursing and have strong study habits to beat the 40% completion odds. The low sticker price of $10,281 annually helps, but only if you finish on time. Skip this school if you need extensive academic support, prefer four-year programs, or want careers outside healthcare and human services.
The school's 15% financial aid rate suggests limited merit scholarship opportunities. Your best cost strategy involves completing programs quickly and choosing nursing tracks that lead directly to stable employment in the Twin Cities metro area's healthcare sector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pine Technical & Community College worth the money?
Pine Technical & Community College offers solid value for specific programs, particularly nursing which pays around $58,000 annually. However, the 40% graduation rate means 6 out of 10 students don't finish, making completion critical for ROI.
What are the best paying programs at Pine Technical & Community College?
Registered nursing graduates earn about $58,000 yearly, while practical nursing pays around $46,000. Human services graduates make $40,800, but medical assisting only pays about $29,700 annually.
How much debt do Pine Technical & Community College graduates have?
Typical graduates leave with $14,392 in debt, which is manageable for nursing programs but creates financial strain for lower-paying fields like medical assisting. The debt-to-income ratio varies significantly by program choice.
Does Pine Technical & Community College have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects depend heavily on your program - nursing and healthcare fields generally have strong demand in Minnesota. The low 40% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs, which limits job opportunities.