Nursing at Southeast Missouri State University

Cape Girardeau, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
83 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
83
Optimistic
83
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,302/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 19.3x earnings multiple
Ranked #314 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 $736K $734K $655K
Earnings Multiple 19.4x 19.3x 17.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 83 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$37,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$58,128
-53% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,296
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,051
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $68,302/yr, Nursing graduates from Southeast Missouri State University land near the $75,273 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 19.3x 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 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $20,296 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #314 out of 990 programs, Southeast Missouri State University's Nursing offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $68,302 to $76,051 over five years (11% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Southeast Missouri State University

With 78% of applicants admitted, Southeast Missouri State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,588 students in Cape Girardeau, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at Southeast Missouri 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

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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

How does Southeast Missouri State University's Nursing program score?
A score of 83/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Southeast Missouri State 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →