Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Flathead Valley Community College
Associate's Degree
fvcc.eduAnalysis
Flathead Valley Community College's nursing program delivers above-average first-year earnings at $71,348—outpacing Montana's median for nursing programs by nearly $4,000 and landing in the 60th percentile statewide. That positions it just behind Montana State Billings but ahead of most other Montana nursing schools, which matters if you're weighing in-state options.
The debt picture looks particularly favorable here. At $21,187, graduates carry about $8,000 less debt than the typical Montana nursing graduate, resulting in a 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests the loan burden should be manageable on a nursing salary. For context, this is one of the lower debt loads among Montana's nursing programs—only Miles Community College and a few others match it.
The major caveat: these figures come from a small cohort (under 30 graduates), so individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs. That said, the combination of competitive starting pay and below-state-average debt suggests this program delivers solid value for students planning to work in Montana's nursing market. The economics work—just know you're looking at limited data points.
Where Flathead Valley Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Flathead Valley Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Montana
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Montana (11 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Flathead Valley Community CollegeKalispell | $4,748 | $71,348 | — | $21,187 | 0.30 |
 Montana State University BillingsBillings | $6,706 | $72,551 | $60,916 | $26,750 | 0.37 |
 The University of MontanaMissoula | $8,152 | $67,743 | $68,752 | $34,743 | 0.51 |
 Miles Community CollegeMiles City | $5,648 | $67,708 | $59,594 | $29,199 | 0.43 |
 Helena College University of MontanaHelena | $3,975 | $63,902 | $69,259 | $29,692 | 0.46 |
 Salish Kootenai CollegePablo | $4,311 | $52,607 | $61,784 | — | — |
| National Median | — | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Flathead Valley Community College, approximately 16% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 28 graduates with reported earnings and 32 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.