Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Lewis-Clark State College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$66,398

Est. from national median (39 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$19,250

Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

A nursing certificate typically offers a direct path to employment, but Lewis-Clark State College's program comes with an estimated $19,250 in debt—notably lower than the national median of $23,562 for similar nursing credentials. While these figures are derived from comparable programs nationally rather than Lewis-Clark's specific outcomes, the pattern suggests a potentially manageable financial picture. Similar programs typically produce first-year earnings around $66,398, which would translate to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29—meaning graduates would owe less than three months' salary.

The gap between estimated debt and earnings looks workable on paper, especially compared to more expensive nursing programs. However, it's worth noting that Idaho has only one school offering this credential level, which limits your ability to comparison shop within the state. The real question is whether a certificate program, as opposed to an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing, aligns with your child's long-term career goals and Idaho's specific licensing requirements for RNs.

Given that both the debt and earnings figures here are estimates based on peer institutions, contact Lewis-Clark directly to understand their graduates' actual employment outcomes and whether this certificate provides a complete pathway to licensure or serves as a stepping stone to further education.

Where Lewis-Clark State College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lewis-Clark State CollegeLewiston	$7,388	$66,398*	—	$19,250*	—
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia	$66,104	$160,797*	$160,445	$19,875*	0.12
Glendale Career CollegeGlendale	—	$100,874*	—	$33,930*	0.34
Cabrillo CollegeAptos	$1,270	$91,090*	$102,629	$15,000*	0.16
Roxborough Memorial Hospital School of NursingPhiladelphia	—	$81,336*	—	$20,000*	0.25
St Lukes Hospital School of NursingBethlehem	—	$79,203*	$71,131	$24,087*	0.30
National Median	—	$66,398*	—	$23,562*	0.35

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates

Nurse Anesthetists

Administer anesthesia, monitor patient's vital signs, and oversee patient recovery from anesthesia. May assist anesthesiologists, surgeons, other physicians, or dentists. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Midwives

Diagnose and coordinate all aspects of the birthing process, either independently or as part of a healthcare team. May provide well-woman gynecological care. Must have specialized, graduate nursing education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Nurse Practitioners

Diagnose and treat acute, episodic, or chronic illness, independently or as part of a healthcare team. May focus on health promotion and disease prevention. May order, perform, or interpret diagnostic tests such as lab work and x rays. May prescribe medication. Must be registered nurses who have specialized graduate education.

$132,050/yrJobs growth:Master's degree

Medical and Health Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate medical and health services in hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, public health agencies, or similar organizations.

$117,960/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Registered Nurses

Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Acute Care Nurses

Provide advanced nursing care for patients with acute conditions such as heart attacks, respiratory distress syndrome, or shock. May care for pre- and post-operative patients or perform advanced, invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses

Assess, diagnose, and treat individuals and families with mental health or substance use disorders or the potential for such disorders. Apply therapeutic activities, including the prescription of medication, per state regulations, and the administration of psychotherapy.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Critical Care Nurses

Provide specialized nursing care for patients in critical or coronary care units.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Nurse Specialists

Direct nursing staff in the provision of patient care in a clinical practice setting, such as a hospital, hospice, clinic, or home. Ensure adherence to established clinical policies, protocols, regulations, and standards.

$93,600/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary

Demonstrate and teach patient care in classroom and clinical units to nursing students. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

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 Lewis-Clark State College, approximately 24% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 39 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.