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

Dickinson State's nursing program sits in the lower half of North Dakota options, with first-year earnings of $68,151—about $4,600 below the state median and $6,700 below the national benchmark. While that might seem reasonable for a less selective state school, the trajectory becomes more concerning: graduates earn less four years out than at one year, an unusual pattern for nursing where experience typically increases value.

At $31,000, the debt load is manageable relative to first-year earnings (0.45 ratio), but higher than both state and national medians. The real issue is what you're getting for that debt—graduates from Mayville State and Rasmussen's North Dakota campuses both start $6,000-9,000 higher annually while carrying similar or lower debt burdens. Among the state's eight nursing programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile, meaning six other options deliver better outcomes.

The negative earnings growth suggests graduates may face limited advancement opportunities or geographic constraints that lock them into lower-paying positions. For families shopping nursing programs within North Dakota, this program offers convenience if you're in the Dickinson area, but the combination of below-average starting salaries and declining earnings makes it worth considering how much mobility your child has. The stronger programs aren't far away and could mean $40,000+ more in earnings over the first four years of practice.