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

Lewis-Clark State College's nursing program posts strong first-year earnings of nearly $78,000—above both national and state medians—but graduates see their income slip to $75,325 by year four. This slight earnings decline is unusual in nursing, where salaries typically grow with experience, though the numbers remain solid throughout. At $27,000 in debt, graduates face a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, allowing them to enter the profession without financial strain.

Within Idaho, this program ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt $5,500 below the state median. Only Boise State and Northwest Nazarene produce higher-earning nursing graduates in the state, and both likely carry steeper price tags. The program performs respectably against national benchmarks too, landing in the 63rd percentile—meaning graduates out-earn peers at more than half of the 1,191 nursing programs nationwide.

The earnings dip deserves attention but shouldn't overshadow the fundamentals: nursing graduates here start strong and maintain above-average salaries with below-average debt for Idaho. For families seeking an accessible nursing program that delivers competitive outcomes without excessive borrowing, Lewis-Clark State represents a sound investment, particularly for Idaho residents who benefit from in-state tuition at this 90% admission rate school.