Program Analysis
Graduates earn $72,709/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
With a 12.5x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
With first-year pay of $72,709 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #398 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places Illinois State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The limited growth from $72,709 to $83,441 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.