Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Miles Community College

Miles Community College's nursing program shows a concerning earnings pattern that warrants careful consideration, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. New graduates earn $67,708—right around Montana's median—but by year four, earnings drop to $59,594. That's a 12% decline when most nursing careers should be climbing. Among Montana's 11 nursing programs, this one ranks below the state median and trails regional competitors like MSU Billings ($72,551) and Flathead Valley ($71,348) by notable margins.

The silver lining here is the debt load: at $29,199, it's slightly below Montana's median and well below the national average, putting graduates in the 18th percentile nationally for debt. The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe about five months of their first-year salary, which is manageable. For a family considering Montana nursing schools, this program offers an affordable entry point—but you're trading that lower debt for below-average earning potential within the state.

The small cohort size matters more than usual here because it raises questions about consistency. Are those year-four graduates staying in nursing? Working part-time? One or two career changes could skew the entire dataset. If your student is certain about nursing and has access to other Montana programs, those higher-earning options deserve serious consideration. If affordability is paramount and geography limits choices, this works as a starting point—just plan for the possibility of needing additional credentials to boost earnings.