Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at College of Southern Idaho

With just $11,000 in debt, College of Southern Idaho's practical nursing program keeps financial risk manageable, though the payoff falls short of Idaho standards. Graduates earn roughly $42,000 in their first year—about $6,000 below the state median and $2,500 below the national average for this credential. Among Idaho's eight practical nursing programs, this lands near the bottom at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like North Idaho College by more than $13,000 annually.

The low debt load is the program's saving grace, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 meaning graduates owe less than three months' salary. That's better than the typical national burden and well below Idaho's median debt of $16,500 for these programs. For students who need to stay local and want minimal loans, this program won't bury them financially. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year.

If your child is set on Twin Falls, this program offers a safe entry point to nursing without crushing debt. But if they can access programs in Coeur d'Alene or Boise, those schools deliver substantially higher earnings that would compound over a career. The lower debt here doesn't fully compensate for earning $6,000 less annually right out of the gate.