At $7,164/yr net price, Williston State College graduates earn $44,017/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,017/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,164 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $28,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,017/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,017/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,099 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,393/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,557/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,367/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,433/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,224/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,415 | $17,841 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,774 | $6,700 |
The Risk Factor
39.5% of students at Williston State College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Williston State College gives you a low-cost path with a modest but real payoff. You pay $7,164 a year and carry about $10,099 in debt at graduation, which is one of the lighter debt loads you'll find. Median earnings ten years out land at $44,017, so the money you borrow stays well below what you can expect to earn.
The nursing associate degree is the clear financial winner here. It pays about $56,415, which is more than $30,000 above the liberal arts and general studies track at $25,774. That gap tells you almost everything about program choice at this school. Nursing debt runs higher at $17,841, but the earnings more than justify it. Williston sits in the Bakken oil region of western North Dakota, where healthcare demand is steady, so a nursing credential travels well locally.
The liberal arts and general studies path is the risk. At under $26,000 in earnings, it barely clears entry-level wages, and it works only as a transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere. If you stop there, the return is weak.
The other risk is finishing. Fewer than 4 in 10 students graduate. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and that danger is real here.
On cost by income: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay the least, around $3,557 to $4,393 a year. Above $48,000, net price roughly doubles to $8,367 and climbs past $12,000 over $110,000. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here.
This school fits you if you want the nursing associate degree, plan to work in the region, and will finish. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal liberal arts degree with no transfer plan, since the earnings won't support it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Williston State College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Williston State College offers decent value with a low net price of $7,164 per year and relatively low debt of $10,099. However, the 39.5% graduation rate is concerning and could impact your return on investment if you don't complete your degree.
Which programs at Williston State College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Williston State College provide strong returns with graduates earning around $56,415 annually. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $25,774, making program choice critical for financial outcomes.
What are the risks of attending Williston State College?
The biggest risk is the low 39.5% graduation rate, meaning 6 out of 10 students don't finish their degree. While debt levels are manageable at around $10,000, incomplete degrees offer poor ROI regardless of cost.
How do Williston State College graduates' salaries compare to the investment?
With average earnings of $44,017 ten years after enrollment and low debt of $10,099, graduates who complete their degrees see reasonable returns. The key qualifier is actually finishing the program given the low graduation rate.