Nursing at Emporia State University

Emporia, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
81
Optimistic
82
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $60,066/yr (-20% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 23.4x earnings multiple (11.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #360 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 $690K $689K $621K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.5x 23.4x 21.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.0x 11.0x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 81 82 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,424
Out-of-state: $62,676 (11.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$62,808
-113% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,581
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,173
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $60,066 place Emporia State University below the $75,273 national median for Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 23.4x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's typical career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $60,066 far exceeding the $21,581 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #360 of 990 Nursing programs, Emporia State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $70,173 are relatively flat compared to the $60,066 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Emporia State University

Emporia State University accepts 98% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 2,328 students in Emporia, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Emporia 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

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Emporia State 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 Nursing at Emporia State University?
This program scores 82/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Nursing careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $620,903 in decade earnings vs $690,123 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Nursing from Emporia State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →