Nursing at Montana State University Billings

Billings, MT · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 2,710 students in Billings, MT.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $72,551 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 58.4x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 3% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $19,937 in median debt against $72,551 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #592 ranking among 947 Nursing programs places Montana State University Billings in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
75
Low End
80
Score
80
High End
Earnings $72,551/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$73K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
58.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$13,412
Out-of-state: $42,694
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,937
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,933
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montana State University Billings

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Montana State University Billings?
This program scores 80/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $759,043 in decade earnings vs $785,215 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Montana State University Billings?
Median debt of just $19,937 against $72,551/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Nursing graduates from Montana State University Billings find jobs?
The very large job market (292,500 annual openings) works in favor of Nursing graduates. The national outlook is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →