Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Lewis-Clark State College

Based on comparable nursing programs across Idaho, this associate degree typically leads to first-year earnings around $74,000 against estimated debt of roughly $26,000—a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio that suggests graduates can realistically handle loan payments. That income figure aligns closely with both the state and national medians for associate-level nursing programs, though it's worth noting that several Idaho programs with reported data show graduates earning anywhere from $66,000 to $83,000, indicating significant variation even within the state.

The debt load estimated here sits slightly below Idaho's median for similar programs, which is encouraging given that nursing associates typically enter the workforce quickly and see steady employment. With 90% of applicants admitted and only 24% receiving Pell grants, Lewis-Clark State College appears accessible while serving a student body that may have more family financial support than typical community college populations. Still, without actual outcome data for this specific program, you're essentially betting on it performing like the middle of the Idaho nursing pack.

The practical takeaway: if your child is committed to nursing and this school fits logistically, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable value—nursing credentials generally pay off at the associate level. But before committing, contact the school's nursing department directly to ask about their actual pass rates on the NCLEX licensing exam and job placement numbers, since those concrete outcomes matter more than estimated earnings when the specific program data isn't available.