Best colleges for Registered Nursing in Idaho
Ranked by graduate earnings
Boise State University, Lewis-Clark State College and Northwest Nazarene University are the top bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Idaho by graduate earnings. Boise State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $79,301, College Scorecard. Boise State University, Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Idaho: 408, 227 and 222 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Idaho colleges offer Registered Nursing and award 1,658 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
Top 7 bachelor's programs, 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise State University Boise Public · Bachelor's degree | $79,301 | 408 | 60% | — | $27,220 |
| 2 | Lewis-Clark State College Lewiston Public · Bachelor's degree | $77,965 | 222 | 40% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,383 | 90 | 71% | $24,681 | $37,500 |
| 4 | Idaho State University Pocatello Public · Bachelor's degree | $66,863 | 227 | 39% | — | $32,500 |
| 5 | Eagle Gate College - Boise Campus Boise Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,420 | 75 | — | $31,945 | $52,292 |
| 6 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,125 | 180 | 55% | $6,760 | $12,207 |
| 7 | Provo College - Idaho Falls Campus Idaho Falls Private for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $63,317 | 78 | — | $31,236 | $51,285 |
Top 5 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrington College - Boise Boise Private for-profit · Associate degree | $82,838 | 79 | 62% | — | $32,500 |
| 2 | North Idaho College Coeur d'Alene Public · Associate degree | $81,741 | 80 | 38% | — | $16,297 |
| 3 | College of Western Idaho Nampa Public · Associate degree | $74,246 | 53 | 31% | — | $27,790 |
| 4 | College of Southern Idaho Twin Falls Public · Associate degree | $65,503 | 76 | 33% | — | $18,840 |
| 5 | College of Eastern Idaho Idaho Falls Public · Associate degree | $57,062 | 90 | 39% | — | $25,926 |
Colleges awarding the most Registered Nursing degrees in Idaho
Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boise State University Boise Public | 408 | $79,301 |
| 2 | Idaho State University Pocatello Public | 227 | $66,863 |
| 3 | Lewis-Clark State College Lewiston Public | 222 | $77,965 |
| 4 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg Private not-for-profit | 180 | $66,125 |
| 5 | Northwest Nazarene University Nampa Private not-for-profit | 90 | $75,383 |
| 6 | Provo College - Idaho Falls Campus Idaho Falls Private for-profit | 78 | $63,317 |
| 7 | Eagle Gate College - Boise Campus Boise Private for-profit | 75 | $66,420 |
ShowHide the other 5 Idaho colleges offering Registered Nursing
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Eastern Idaho | Idaho Falls | Public | 90 |
| North Idaho College | Coeur d'Alene | Public | 80 |
| Carrington College - Boise | Boise | Private for-profit | 79 |
| College of Southern Idaho | Twin Falls | Public | 76 |
| College of Western Idaho | Nampa | Public | 53 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Top skills
What Registered Nurses earn in Idaho
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Registered Nursing programs in Idaho.
Which Idaho colleges award the most Registered Nursing degrees?+
Boise State University (408 graduates a year), Idaho State University (227 graduates a year) and Lewis-Clark State College (222 graduates a year) award the most Registered Nursing degrees in Idaho, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Idaho colleges offer Registered Nursing.
What is the best college for Registered Nursing in Idaho?+
By graduate earnings, Boise State University leads among bachelor's Registered Nursing programs in Idaho, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $79,301, College Scorecard. Lewis-Clark State College and Northwest Nazarene University follow. By degrees awarded, Boise State University is the largest, with 408 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Registered Nursing program in Idaho has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Boise State University tops the list at $79,301. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Registered Nurses earn in Idaho?+
The average annual wage for Registered Nurses in Idaho is $92,710 (median $92,460), across about 16,880 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Registered Nursing program?+
The Registered Nursing program prepares students to become healthcare professionals who provide essential care to patients in various settings. This program covers a comprehensive curriculum that equips students with the necessary skills…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Registered Nurses?+
The national job outlook is about +4.9% growth with around 189,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree 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.
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