Idaho · Practical Nursing

Best colleges for Practical Nursing in Idaho

Ranked by graduate earnings

North Idaho College, Carrington College - Boise and College of Southern Idaho are the top Practical Nursing programs in Idaho by graduate earnings. North Idaho College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,184, College Scorecard. College of Southern Idaho, Carrington College - Boise and Idaho State University award the most Practical Nursing degrees and certificates in Idaho: 53, 31 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 8 Idaho colleges offer Practical Nursing and award 196 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

Institutions
8
offering CIP 51.39
States & territories
56
with a program page
Degrees / yr
196
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$41,598
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$31,945
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
40%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Nursing Assistants
$39,100
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene Public · Certificate
$55,1842138%—$16,250
2Carrington College - Boise
Boise Private for-profit · Certificate
$54,0163162%—$19,938
3College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls Public · Certificate
$41,5985333%—$10,964
4College of Eastern Idaho
Idaho Falls Public · Certificate
$34,7872139%—$17,750

Colleges awarding the most Practical Nursing degrees in Idaho

Top 8 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1College of Southern Idaho
Twin Falls Public
53$41,598
2Carrington College - Boise
Boise Private for-profit
31$54,016
3Idaho State University
Pocatello Public
23Not reported
4College of Eastern Idaho
Idaho Falls Public
21$34,787
5North Idaho College
Coeur d'Alene Public
21$55,184
6Provo College - Idaho Falls Campus
Idaho Falls Private for-profit
18Not reported
7Eagle Gate College - Boise Campus
Boise Private for-profit
16Not reported
8College of Western Idaho
Nampa Public
13Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+2.3%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~204,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$39,530
typically Postsecondary nondegree award

Top skills

Active ListeningMonitoringReading ComprehensionSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Nursing Assistants earn in Idaho

Jobs in Idaho
7,910
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$39,100
median $38,650
Best-paying metro
$41,050
Lewiston, ID-WA

Related careers

Nursing Assistants
$39,100 avg · 7,910 jobs
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
$63,860 avg · 1,880 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Practical Nursing programs in Idaho.

Which Idaho colleges award the most Practical Nursing degrees?+

College of Southern Idaho (53 graduates a year), Carrington College - Boise (31 graduates a year) and Idaho State University (23 graduates a year) award the most Practical Nursing degrees and certificates in Idaho, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 8 Idaho colleges offer Practical Nursing.

What is the best college for Practical Nursing in Idaho?+

By graduate earnings, North Idaho College leads among Practical Nursing programs in Idaho, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $55,184, College Scorecard. Carrington College - Boise and College of Southern Idaho follow. By degrees awarded, College of Southern Idaho is the largest, with 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Practical Nursing program in Idaho has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Idaho College tops the list at $55,184. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Nursing Assistants earn in Idaho?+

The average annual wage for Nursing Assistants in Idaho is $39,100 (median $38,650), across about 7,910 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Practical Nursing program?+

The Practical Nursing program, also known as Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants, prepares students for a career as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). This program is designed for individuals who want to provide direct nursing care to…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop active listening, monitoring, reading comprehension, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Nursing Assistants?+

The national job outlook is about +2.3% growth with around 204,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Postsecondary nondegree award is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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