Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at College of Eastern Idaho

Starting salaries for College of Eastern Idaho's nursing graduates trail nearly every other Idaho nursing program, with first-year earnings of $57,062—roughly $17,000 below the state median and more than $11,000 below national figures. Even the program's fourth-year earnings of $69,317 remain below where other Idaho nursing grads start their careers. Among Idaho's eight nursing programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of Idaho nursing students can expect better outcomes elsewhere.

The debt load of $25,926 sits near both state and national averages, so the real issue isn't excessive borrowing—it's the substantially lower earnings. That 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio looks manageable on paper, but it's masking a more fundamental problem: your child would be entering one of the most in-demand healthcare fields while earning significantly less than peers from competing programs, some of which are community colleges with similar costs. The 22% earnings growth over four years helps close the gap somewhat, but not enough to catch up to where graduates from North Idaho College or College of Western Idaho begin.

Unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to stay in Idaho Falls, this program's outcomes suggest looking at alternatives. Idaho State University in Pocatello offers similar accessibility with markedly better results, and both Boise-area community colleges deliver stronger earning potential for comparable investment.