Health Professions and Related Programs — CIP 51.39 at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
MN · Associate's Degree · CIP 51.39
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Health Professions and Related Programs — CIP 51.39 degree from Minnesota West Community and Technical College earn a median salary of $64,916 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in MN, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $68,986. The degree typically pays for itself in 8.1 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$47,586
Typical Career
$64,916
Top Performers
$80,115
Estimated break-even: 8.1 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$433
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $5,410. Most students can comfortably afford about a $433 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.7x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.8x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Minnesota buys what costs $0.94 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Construction.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$68,986
Nominal: $64,916 in Minnesota (COL 94.1% of national avg) · 6.3% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $30,001 | $39,027 | $49,059 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $47,586 | $64,916 | $80,115 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $52,765 | $70,625 | $89,880 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $64,916 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in MN, which has a cost-of-living index of 94.1% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $64,916 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9410)
= $68,986 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The majority of graduates enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sector, with 47.0% of them working in this field shortly after graduation. This figure remains significant over time, with 43.1% and 28.5% continuing in similar roles as they advance in their careers. The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to those with only a high school diploma is approximately 8.1 years, suggesting a favorable return on investment for those pursuing these programs. Overall, the data indicates a positive trajectory in both earnings and career stability within the health professions sector.
Compare with Another School
See how the Health Professions and Related Programs — CIP 51.39 degree at Minnesota West Community and Technical College stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Ready to apply?
Start your application for Health Professions and Related Programs — CIP 51.39 at Minnesota West Community and Technical College.
Explore More
Other Degrees at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.