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Nursing at Ball State University

Muncie, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
82
Optimistic
82
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $73,719/yr (-2% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.5x earnings multiple (6.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #356 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $799K $796K $700K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 18.5x 16.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.9x 6.9x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 82 82 79
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,032
Out-of-state: $115,064 (6.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$63,592
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,732
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,375
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $73,719 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 18.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,732 in median debt against $73,719 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #356 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places Ball State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

About Ball State University

Ball State University has a 72% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 13,770 students in Muncie, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Ball State University →

Top Career Paths

Nurse anesthetists $223,210/yr
Nurse practitioners $129,210/yr
Nurse midwives $128,790/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 990 schools offering Nursing →

Nursing at Other Schools

Sonoma State University ($125,646) California State University-East Bay ($124,392) Samuel Merritt University ($119,486) California State University-Stanislaus ($119,356) Pacific Union College ($119,258) Helene Fuld College of Nursing ($119,170) San Francisco State University ($117,532) California State University-Monterey Bay ($117,088)

Other Majors at Ball State University

Construction Management ($69,076) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($67,833) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($67,350) General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations ($65,184) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($60,526) Landscape Architecture ($59,972) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($59,249) Real Estate ($58,575)

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 82/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Ball State University?
At 82/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Ball State University?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →