Nursing at Dickinson State University

Dickinson, ND · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
83 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
83
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,151/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 19.6x earnings multiple (15.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #319 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 $715K $714K $639K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 19.6x 19.6x 17.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 15.9x 15.9x 14.3x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 83 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$36,472
Out-of-state: $44,872 (15.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$61,080
-67% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,250
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,011
9% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,151/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 19.6x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $68,151 far exceeding the $25,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #319 of 990 Nursing programs, Dickinson State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $74,011 are relatively flat compared to the $68,151 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Dickinson State University

A 60% admission rate makes Dickinson State University accessible to a wide range of qualified students, a compact campus enrolling 1,108 students in Dickinson, ND.

See all programs and financial aid at Dickinson 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

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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 Dickinson State University?
This program scores 83/100 — 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 $639,427 in decade earnings vs $715,416 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →