Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at North Dakota State College of Science

North Dakota State College of Science's nursing program produces graduates earning roughly $59,000 in their first year—about $8,000 below the state median and nearly $10,000 below the national average for associate nursing programs. While this ranks in the 40th percentile among North Dakota's six nursing programs, every other major program in the state delivers stronger early earnings. The debt load of $30,098 is actually higher than the state median, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that, while manageable for nursing, suggests you're paying more for less.

The small sample size here is critical—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Nursing typically offers reliable employment, and the $62,329 four-year mark shows steady growth, but starting nearly $12,000 behind Dakota College at Bottineau's graduates means playing catch-up from day one. For an associate degree that should provide quick entry to solid middle-class earnings, this program's performance is puzzling.

If your child is set on staying in Wahpeton, this provides a nursing credential. But with Lake Region, Dakota College at Bottineau, and even Rasmussen all delivering $8,000-12,000 more in starting salary for similar or lower debt, those programs represent substantially better value. Given North Dakota's nursing shortage, graduates should command strong starting salaries—this program's underperformance suggests something worth investigating further before committing.