Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Dickinson State University

Nursing programs in North Dakota typically start slower than national peers, and this pattern appears to hold here. Based on comparable associate-level nursing programs nationally, first-year earnings around $51,744 would put Dickinson State graduates ahead of the $41,956 median seen at other North Dakota nursing schools. By year four, the reported earnings of $63,033 confirm strong progression—suggesting graduates move quickly into better-paying roles or supervisory positions as they gain experience.

The debt picture looks reasonable at $18,807, sitting below both the national median ($19,404) and the state average ($21,596) for similar programs. With an estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36, graduates would theoretically need less than five months of gross income to cover their loans—a manageable burden for healthcare workers with steady employment prospects. The challenge is that North Dakota's nursing market pays less than many states, which means the raw earnings may feel tighter than the ratio suggests.

The key unknown is whether Dickinson State's specific outcomes match these estimates. The strong year-four earnings give some confidence, but without actual first-year data for this campus, you're betting that their graduates perform at least as well as the national average. If your child is committed to staying in North Dakota and values the smaller campus environment, the debt load won't be crushing. Just confirm graduation rates and job placement support before committing.