Nursing at Purdue University-Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
86 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
86
Optimistic
86
Base Case
84
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,759/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.2x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #198 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 Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $849K $846K $737K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.2x 21.2x 18.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.4x 7.3x 6.4x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 86 86 84

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,968
Out-of-state: $115,176 (7.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,780
-40% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,224
22% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $71,759/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 21.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

With first-year pay of $71,759 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Purdue University-Main Campus ranks #198 among 990 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 22% earnings increase from $71,759 to $87,224 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About Purdue University-Main Campus

A 50% admission rate makes Purdue University-Main Campus accessible to a wide range of qualified students, with 39,637 students enrolled in West Lafayette, IN.

See all programs and financial aid at Purdue University-Main Campus →

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

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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 does a 86/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Purdue University-Main Campus?
At 86/100, 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 Purdue University-Main Campus?
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.
Is Purdue University-Main Campus one of the best schools for Nursing?
Among 990 Nursing programs, Purdue University-Main Campus's #198 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →