Nursing at Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, CO · 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 $69,631/yr (-7% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #207 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 Nursing graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $802K $800K $703K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.6x 20.6x 18.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.2x 8.2x 7.2x
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)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $97,248 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,324
-58% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,250
3.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,496
18% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $69,631/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 20.6x 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 12% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $69,631 far exceeding the $22,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #207 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $82,496 are relatively flat compared to the $69,631 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University accepts 81% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 7,604 in Grand Junction, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at Colorado Mesa 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 Colorado Mesa 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 Colorado Mesa University?
This program scores 85/100 — 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 $702,904 in decade earnings vs $802,100 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Colorado Mesa University's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #207 of 990 programs nationally, Colorado Mesa University lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →