Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lake Region State College

Lake Region State College's nursing program outperforms most North Dakota schools while keeping debt well below both state and national averages. At $68,214 in first-year earnings, graduates earn more than the state median ($67,227) and rank in the 60th percentile among North Dakota nursing programs—only Dakota College at Bottineau produces higher earners. More importantly, the $27,310 typical debt sits in the 24th percentile nationally, meaning 76% of comparable programs leave students with more debt. That 0.40 debt-to-earnings ratio translates to roughly five months of pre-tax income to cover total borrowing.

The slight earnings dip to $67,515 by year four is marginal—less than $700—and shouldn't overshadow the program's fundamental value. North Dakota's nursing market appears relatively flat in terms of wage progression, which may reflect regional healthcare economics rather than individual career trajectories. For families considering nursing programs in the Devils Lake area, this combination of above-median earnings and below-average debt creates a solid financial foundation. Graduates enter the workforce earning competitive nursing salaries without the debt burden that weighs down many of their peers elsewhere.