Nursing at Wichita State University

Wichita, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
79
Optimistic
79
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,301/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.3x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #469 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 $646K $644K $588K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.3x 17.3x 15.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.4x 8.4x 7.6x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 79 79 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,288
Out-of-state: $76,960 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,104
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,500
4.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,435
5% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $63,301 per year, Nursing graduates from Wichita State University earn below the $75,273 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $22,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #469 of 990 Nursing programs, Wichita State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,435 are relatively flat compared to the $63,301 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Wichita State University

With 95% of applicants admitted, Wichita State University prioritizes broad access, serving 10,493 students in Wichita, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at Wichita 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

Other Majors at Wichita State 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Wichita State University?
This program scores 79/100 — 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 $588,338 in decade earnings vs $645,651 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Nursing from Wichita State University?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →