Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Montana State University Billings

Montana State University Billings nursing graduates start strong at $72,551—well above both Montana's median ($67,726) and the national figure ($68,409)—but that initial advantage fades quickly. By year four, earnings drop to $60,916, a concerning 16% decline that's unusual for nursing. While this could reflect career transitions, rural vs. urban facility pay differences, or part-time work patterns, it means the strong first-year showing doesn't translate into sustained financial momentum.

The debt picture provides some cushion: at $26,750, it's actually below Montana's state median of $29,446 and sits in the 25th percentile nationally—meaning three-quarters of nursing programs nationally leave students with more debt. That 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio against first-year salary is manageable, though the declining earnings trajectory makes debt payoff potentially slower than the initial numbers suggest.

For Montana families, this program ranks around the 60th percentile statewide—solid but not exceptional. The financial case here depends heavily on whether your child plans to stay in Montana's healthcare market long-term and whether those first-year earnings (competitive with top programs like Flathead Valley at $71,348) represent a sustainable career path or just a strong entry point before typical earnings adjustments kick in.