Nursingat Illinois State University
Graduates earn $72,709/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $803K; scenarios range from $706K to $806K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Illinois State University
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.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Illinois State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Nursing
How Illinois State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Illinois State University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Illinois State University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Nursing at Illinois State University
What does a 81/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Illinois State University?
At 81/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Illinois State University?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.