Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
85
Base Case
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,631/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

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

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $802K $800K $703K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.6x 20.6x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 85 83

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,496
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,631/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 20.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration's typical career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $69,631 far exceeding the $22,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #207 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $82,496 are relatively flat compared to the $69,631 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa 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

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

Other Majors at Colorado Mesa University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Colorado Mesa University?
This program scores 85/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $702,904 in decade earnings vs $802,100 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado Mesa University's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program stand out?
Ranked #207 of 990 programs nationally, Colorado Mesa University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →