Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $71,161 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 14.3x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $18,249 in median debt against $71,161 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #399 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The limited growth from $71,161 to $76,988 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.