Nursing at Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, CA · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
67 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
67
Optimistic
67
Base Case
64
Pessimistic
Earnings $119,486/yr (59% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
Ranked #839 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs

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 $1,410K $1,403K $1,148K
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 67 67 64

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

Median Debt at Graduation
$20,000
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$148,857
25% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Samuel Merritt University Nursing graduates command $119,486/yr out of the gate, well above the $75,273 national median. That 59% premium suggests the program's reputation carries real labor-market weight.

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 19% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $20,000 in median debt clears quickly against $119,486 in annual earnings.

Ranked #839 of 990 Nursing programs, Samuel Merritt University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $119,486 to $148,857 over five years — a 25% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Samuel Merritt University

a smaller institution with 712 students in Oakland, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at Samuel Merritt 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

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 Samuel Merritt University?
This program scores 67/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
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 $1,148,338 in decade earnings vs $1,410,377 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →