Nursing at Kean University

Union, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
89 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
89
Optimistic
89
Base Case
85
Pessimistic
Earnings $101,039/yr (34% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.2x earnings multiple (11.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 10%

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 $980K $976K $833K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 18.2x 15.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.6x 11.6x 9.9x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 89 89 85

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,704
Out-of-state: $84,304 (11.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$48,672
9% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,009
2.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$104,865
4% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates of Kean University's Nursing program earn $101,039/yr in their first year — 34% above the $75,273 national median, a strong market signal for this institution.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.2x 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 15% gap from the optimistic case.

At $18,009 in median debt against $101,039 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #68 of 990 programs, Kean University's Nursing program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Five-year earnings of $104,865 are relatively flat compared to the $101,039 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Kean University

Kean University has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 10,842 students in Union, NJ. With 46% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Kean 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

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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 Kean University?
This program scores 89/100 — 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 $833,316 in decade earnings vs $980,188 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →