Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Boise State University

Boise State's nursing program delivers strong initial earnings that outpace most Idaho competitors, but graduates should prepare for an unusual earnings trajectory. New graduates earn $79,301—well above Idaho's median of $66,863 and ranking in the 60th percentile statewide. Only Lewis-Clark State College produces higher-earning nursing graduates in Idaho.

The concerning element is the 8% earnings decline by year four, dropping to $73,200. This pattern is atypical for nursing, where salaries typically grow with experience. However, even with this dip, four-year earnings still exceed the state median significantly. The $27,220 debt load is reasonable—lower than Idaho's typical $32,500 for nursing programs and creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34.

Despite the earnings decline, this program represents solid value in the Idaho market. The initial salary advantage over most in-state options provides strong early career positioning, and the debt burden remains modest. Parents should view this as a reliable path to above-average nursing income in Idaho, though graduates may need to be strategic about career advancement to reverse the mid-career earnings slide.