Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
85
Base Case
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $69,420/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 24.3x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #222 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 25%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $734K $733K $653K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 24.3x 24.3x 21.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.5x 7.5x 6.7x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 85 83

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,164
Out-of-state: $98,148 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,948
-119% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
2.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$76,064
10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $69,420/yr, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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.

About Appalachian State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Appalachian State University prioritizes broad access, serving 19,304 students in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian 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

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

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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

How does Appalachian State University's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program score?
A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Appalachian State University's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration?
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →