by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of North Dakota the top school for nursing graduate earnings in North Dakota. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Nursing graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of about $107,893 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Rasmussen College North Dakota, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fargo, Rasmussen College North Dakota is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Rasmussen College North Dakota earn a median of about $79,743 a year early in their careers.
Lake Region State College produces some of the highest-paid graduates in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Lake Region State College is a public school located in the town of Devils Lake. Nursing graduates of Lake Region State College earn a median of about $75,950 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Mayville State University one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the rural area of Mayville, Mayville State University is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $77,525.
Strong graduate earnings at Dakota College At Bottineau earned it the #5 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Bottineau, Dakota College At Bottineau is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Dakota College At Bottineau make a median of around $65,983 per year.
Minot State University came in at #6 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Minot State University is a public school located in the city of Minot. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,345.
Jamestown College earned the #7 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $73,581.
Bismarck State College came in at #8 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Bismarck State College is a public school located in the city of Bismarck. Early-career nursing graduates from Bismarck State College make a median of around $67,782 per year.
University Of Mary earned the #9 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Bismarck, University Of Mary is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of University Of Mary earn a median of about $130,020 a year early in their careers.
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #10 for nursing graduate earnings this year. North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Fargo. Early-career nursing graduates from North Dakota State University Main Campus make a median of around $77,055 per year.
Dickinson State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Dickinson, Dickinson State University is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Dickinson State University typically earn about $74,011 annually.
North Dakota State College Of Science earned the #12 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,172.
Williston State College earned the #13 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,061.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 13 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.
