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Nursing at Shepherd University

Shepherdstown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $75,914/yr (1% vs median)

AI Risk High (39% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

ROI 22.5x earnings multiple (10.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #158 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	$779K	$777K	$686K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	22.5x	22.5x	19.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	10.2x	10.2x	9.0x
Probability of Field Employment	87%	86%	64%
DegreeOutlook Score	87	87	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)

$34,568

Out-of-state: $76,328 (10.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$49,564

-43% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$24,875

3.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$81,437

7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Shepherd University's Nursing program produces graduates earning $75,914/yr — within striking distance of the $75,273 national average for this field.

The 22.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $24,875 in median debt clears quickly against $75,914 in annual earnings.

Ranked #158 out of 990 programs, Shepherd University's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $75,914 to $81,437 over five years (7% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Shepherd University

A 96% acceptance rate means Shepherd University is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,375 students in Shepherdstown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at Shepherd 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 Shepherd 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

How does Shepherd University's Nursing program score?

A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Shepherd University's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Nursing careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Shepherd University rank so high for Nursing?

The #158 ranking out of 990 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →