Nursing at Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, OK · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
90 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
90
Optimistic
90
Base Case
87
Pessimistic
Earnings $80,792/yr (7% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 32.0x earnings multiple (14.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #50 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 5%

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 $965K $962K $823K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 32.1x 32.0x 27.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 14.5x 14.5x 12.4x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 90 90 87

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,052
Out-of-state: $66,532 (14.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$47,200
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
1.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$99,835
24% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $80,792 at Northeastern State University come in 7% above the national median of $75,273 for Nursing programs.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 32.0x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $80,792 far exceeding the $12,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #50 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $80,792 to $99,835 over five years — a 24% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Northeastern State University

Northeastern State University accepts 99% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 4,636 students in Tahlequah, OK. With 42% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Northeastern 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 Northeastern State University

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 Northeastern State University?
This program scores 90/100 — 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 $822,557 in decade earnings vs $965,493 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Northeastern State University's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #50 of 990 programs nationally, Northeastern State University lands in the top 5%. 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 →