Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Williston State College

Williston State College's associate nursing program sits in the middle of North Dakota's nursing landscape, ranking 40th percentile statewide—essentially performing at the median for the state. While graduates start around $61,000, they're earning about $7,000 less than typical North Dakota nursing graduates and roughly $8,000 below the national median. More concerning, earnings actually dip slightly by year four rather than growing, though nursing salaries can fluctuate based on shifts, overtime, and employer changes.

The financial picture has a silver lining: at $22,000 in debt, graduates owe about $6,000 less than the typical North Dakota nursing student. That lower debt burden means the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36 is quite manageable—graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than half a year's salary. For comparison, the top nursing program in the state (Dakota College at Bottineau) produces graduates earning $71,000, but if that comes with higher debt, Williston's more affordable path might close the gap faster.

The catch? These numbers come from fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable as predictors. For parents focused on minimizing debt while still accessing North Dakota's strong nursing job market, this program offers a reasonable if unremarkable entry point—just know your child likely won't be at the top of the earnings curve.