Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Montana State University-Northern
Bachelor's Degree
msun.eduAnalysis
Montana State Northern's nursing program shows an unusual earnings pattern that's worth understanding before you commit. First-year nurses from this program earn $77,121—solidly above both Montana's median ($74,672) and the national average ($74,888). The $31,000 in typical debt is manageable at 40% of that first-year salary. So far, this looks competitive with most Montana nursing programs.
The puzzle is what happens next: by year four, earnings drop to $65,623, a 15% decline. This could reflect graduates moving to different nursing roles, relocating to lower-cost areas, or choosing part-time work—all common in nursing. It might also be a statistical quirk, since fewer than 30 graduates were tracked. Among Montana's seven nursing programs, this one lands right at the 60th percentile, meaning it's middle-of-the-pack for the state but trails University of Providence by a significant margin.
For families considering this program, the starting salary and reasonable debt load create a solid financial foundation. The earnings decline bears watching, but with nursing's flexibility and consistent demand across Montana, graduates have options to adjust their career paths. Just know you're not getting the top-tier Montana nursing outcomes—you're getting a respectable middle option in a small-town setting.
Where Montana State University-Northern Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Montana State University-Northern graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana State University-Northern | $77,121 | $65,623 | -15% |
| University of Providence | $101,187 | $106,728 | +5% |
| Carroll College | $75,007 | $67,000 | -11% |
| Montana State University | $71,915 | $65,635 | -9% |
| Montana Technological University | $74,338 | $60,355 | -19% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Montana
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Montana (7 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Montana State University-NorthernHavre | $6,269 | $77,121 | $65,623 | $31,000 | 0.40 |
 University of ProvidenceGreat Falls | $29,018 | $101,187 | $106,728 | $23,847 | 0.24 |
 Carroll CollegeHelena | $40,352 | $75,007 | $67,000 | $27,000 | 0.36 |
 Montana Technological UniversityButte | $8,050 | $74,338 | $60,355 | $35,839 | 0.48 |
 Montana State UniversityBozeman | $8,083 | $71,915 | $65,635 | $28,000 | 0.39 |
 Montana State University BillingsBillings | $6,706 | $71,449 | — | $32,988 | 0.46 |
| National Median | — | $74,888 | — | $27,000 | 0.36 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates
Nurse Anesthetists
Nurse Midwives
Nurse Practitioners
Medical and Health Services Managers
Registered Nurses
Acute Care Nurses
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
Critical Care Nurses
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
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 Montana State University-Northern, approximately 30% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.