Nursing at Montana State University-Northern

Havre, MT · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
86
Base Case
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,121/yr (2% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 33.1x earnings multiple (10.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #184 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $833K $830K $725K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 33.2x 33.1x 28.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.7x 10.7x 9.4x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 86 83
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,076
Out-of-state: $77,540 (10.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,656
-126% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,421
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,655
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $77,121/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 33.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

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

With first-year pay of $77,121 far exceeding the $15,421 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #184 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

About Montana State University-Northern

a compact campus enrolling 787 students in Havre, MT.

See all programs and financial aid at Montana State University-Northern →

Top Career Paths

Nurse anesthetists $223,210/yr
Nurse practitioners $129,210/yr
Nurse midwives $128,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Montana State University-Northern

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Montana State University-Northern?
This program scores 86/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $725,307 in decade earnings vs $832,691 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Montana State University-Northern's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #184 of 990 programs nationally, Montana State University-Northern lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →