by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
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Below are the schools whose nursing graduates go on to earn the most.
For graduate earnings in nursing, no school beat Carrington College Boise this year. Located in the city of Boise, Carrington College Boise is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $87,728.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at North Idaho College, which ranked #2. North Idaho College is a public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. Early-career nursing graduates from North Idaho College make a median of around $80,947 per year.
Boise State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Boise State University is a public school located in the city of Boise. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $82,246.
A rank of #4 makes College Of Western Idaho one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,007.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Lewis Clark State College earn a median of about $81,832 a year early in their careers.
Northwest Nazarene University landed the #6 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Nampa, Northwest Nazarene University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,323.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #7 for nursing graduate earnings this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a public school located in the city of Twin Falls. Early-career nursing graduates from College Of Southern Idaho make a median of around $65,503 per year.
Idaho State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of about $74,225 a year early in their careers.
Eastern Idaho Technical College landed the #9 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Eastern Idaho Technical College make a median of around $75,095 per year.
Brigham Young University Idaho earned the #10 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,875.
Eagle Gate College Boise Campus placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Boise, Eagle Gate College Boise Campus is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Eagle Gate College Boise Campus typically earn about $66,420 annually.
Provo College Idaho Falls Campus placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Provo College Idaho Falls Campus is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Provo College Idaho Falls Campus make a median of around $63,317 per year.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries nursing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 12 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.