Nursing at Duke University

Durham, NC · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
68 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
68
Optimistic
68
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,288/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 3.0x earnings multiple
Ranked #825 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs

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 $787K $784K $692K
Earnings Multiple 3.0x 3.0x 2.6x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 68 68 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$263,220
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$137,816
48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,750
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,377
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $77,288/yr, Nursing graduates from Duke University land near the $75,273 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

An earnings multiple of 3.0x means the program roughly breaks even in financial terms over ten years. Non-financial factors need to justify the investment.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $18,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #825 out of 990 programs, Duke University's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $77,288 to $82,377 over five years (7% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Duke University

With just 7% of applicants admitted, Duke University ranks among the nation's most selective schools, with a mid-sized student body of 6,417 in Durham, NC. After financial aid, the average student pays $137,816 over four years — 48% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Duke 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 Duke University

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

How does Duke University's Nursing program score?
A score of 68/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Duke University trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →