Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
81
Optimistic
81
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,847/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 12.7x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #414 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 $840K $838K $731K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.8x 12.7x 11.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.4x 5.4x 4.7x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 81 81 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,832
Out-of-state: $156,168 (5.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,808
-18% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,591
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,488
20% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $71,847/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 12.7x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $71,847 far exceeding the $21,591 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #414 of 990 Nursing programs, Virginia Commonwealth University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $71,847 to $86,488 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University accepts 93% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 20,797 students in Richmond, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at Virginia Commonwealth 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University?
This program scores 81/100 — 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 $730,986 in decade earnings vs $840,447 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →