Nursing at Metropolitan State University

Saint Paul, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
88 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
88
Optimistic
88
Base Case
85
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,421/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 22.9x earnings multiple
Ranked #89 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 10%

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 $898K $895K $773K
Earnings Multiple 23.0x 22.9x 19.8x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 88 88 85

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$39,120
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$76,724
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,541
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$92,966
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $77,421 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 22.9x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.

At $12,541 in median debt against $77,421 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #89 of 990 programs, Metropolitan State University's Nursing program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $77,421 to $92,966 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Metropolitan State University

Metropolitan State University has a 96% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, a smaller institution with 4,998 students in Saint Paul, MN. 44% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Metropolitan 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

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Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Metropolitan State University?
This program scores 88/100 — 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 $773,200 in decade earnings vs $898,095 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →