Nursing at Radford University

Radford, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
80 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
79
Optimistic
80
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,662/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #444 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 $679K $677K $613K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.8x 13.8x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.1x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 80 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$49,144
Out-of-state: $100,740 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$66,560
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,953
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,565
1% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,662/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.8x 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 $69,662 far exceeding the $18,953 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #444 of 990 Nursing programs, Radford University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $70,565 are relatively flat compared to the $69,662 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Radford University

Radford University accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 5,609 in Radford, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Radford 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 Radford 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 Radford University?
This program scores 80/100 — 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 $612,537 in decade earnings vs $678,693 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →