Nursing at Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
80 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
80
Optimistic
80
Base Case
78
Pessimistic
Earnings $75,081/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 11.9x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #430 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 $762K $760K $673K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.9x 11.9x 10.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.4x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 80 80 78

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$63,952
Out-of-state: $173,488 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$83,004
-30% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,000
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,580
6% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $75,081/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 11.9x 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 $75,081 far exceeding the $25,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #430 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places Michigan State University in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $75,081 to $79,580 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About Michigan State University

Michigan State University accepts 84% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, one of the larger campuses at 40,243 students in East Lansing, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Michigan 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

Other Majors at Michigan State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 80/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Michigan State University?
At 80/100, 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 Michigan 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →