Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at The University of Montana

In Montana, where nursing shortages persist and healthcare jobs dominate rural economies, practical nursing programs typically lead to steady employment—but you're looking at estimates here rather than this program's actual track record. Based on comparable associate's degree nursing programs nationally, graduates might expect around $51,700 in first-year earnings, with debt around $18,200. That's a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, well within the "safe" threshold of 1.0 that financial aid counselors recommend.

What's harder to assess is whether Montana's practical nursing market aligns with these national figures. With only five schools offering this program statewide, the field isn't oversaturated, but you're also missing the state-specific benchmarks that would show whether Montana nurses earn above or below the national median. The four-year earnings figure of $57,456 suggests modest wage growth—about 11% over three years—which is typical for practical nursing roles that often hit their ceiling quickly.

The practical question: can your family afford $18,000 in debt for a credential that *might* yield $51,000 initially? If those estimates hold, the answer is probably yes—it's a workable ratio. But without actual outcomes from Montana graduates, you're making this decision somewhat blind. Before committing, price out Montana's other four practical nursing programs and see if any report verified data, and talk to local healthcare employers about starting wages for LPNs in the region where your child plans to work.