Nursingat Appalachian State University
Graduates earn $69,420/yr in their first year — about 8.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $733K; scenarios range from $653K to $734K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Appalachian State University
At $69,420/yr, Nursing graduates from Appalachian State University land near the $75,273 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
The 24.3x 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 $12,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Ranked #222 out of 990 programs, Appalachian State University's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
Earnings growth is modest: $69,420 to $76,064 over five years (10% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Appalachian State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Nursing
How Appalachian State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Appalachian State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Appalachian State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Nursing at Appalachian State University
How does Appalachian State University's Nursing program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Appalachian 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.
Why does Appalachian State University rank so high for Nursing?
The #222 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.