Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Salish Kootenai College

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

a smaller institution with 568 students in Pablo, MT.

Program Analysis

At $52,607 per year, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Salish Kootenai College earn below the $69,474 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 75.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates.

At #594 out of 947 programs, Salish Kootenai College's financial outcomes for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $52,607 to $63,203 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

80 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
73
Low End
80
Score
80
High End
Earnings $52,607/yr (-24% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$652K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
75.7x
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)
$8,622
Out-of-state: $23,166
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,203
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Salish Kootenai College's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program score?
A score of 80/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Salish Kootenai College trails the majority of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Should I worry about AI if I study Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $550,385 in decade earnings vs $652,323 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration earnings lower at Salish Kootenai College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Salish Kootenai College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration connects to 4 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Is there demand for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration workers?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →