Nursing at North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

a compact campus enrolling 1,733 students in Wahpeton, ND.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,229 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 59.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 13% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,773 in median debt against $59,229 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #668 of 947 Nursing programs, North Dakota State College of Science falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $69,172 are relatively flat compared to the $59,229 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

78 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
72
Low End
78
Score
79
High End
Earnings $59,229/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$710K
4.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
59.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,856
Out-of-state: $13,852
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,773
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,172
17% growth from Year 1

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 North Dakota State College of Science

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at North Dakota State College of Science?
A score of 78/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but North Dakota State College of Science trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At North Dakota State College of Science, a score of 78/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of North Dakota State College of Science?
If North Dakota State College of Science's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Nursing workers?
The career paths mapped to Nursing have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →