Home Schools Montana State University Nursing
Health Professions · Nursing Rank #219 of 990

Nursingat Montana State University

Graduates earn $71,915/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $696K; scenarios range from $626K to $697K depending on AI disruption.

Bozeman, MT Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
85 ELITE
84
Optimistic
82
Pessimistic
Earnings
$71,915
1-year post-graduation
ROI
21.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$696K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Montana State University

First-year earnings of $71,915 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 21.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $22,802 in median debt against $71,915 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #219 out of 990 programs, Montana State University's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $71,915 to $72,739 over five years (1% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$626K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple19.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$696K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple21.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$697K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score84/100
Earnings Multiple21.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Montana State University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Nursing graduates typically work

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.

1
Nurse anesthetists
+8.6% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$223,210/yr
Low
2
Nurse practitioners
+40.1% 10-yr growth · 29,500 openings/yr
$129,210/yr
Moderate
3
Nurse midwives
+11.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$128,790/yr
Moderate
4
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
5
Registered nurses
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 189,100 openings/yr
$93,600/yr
Moderate
6
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
+16.8% 10-yr growth · 8,600 openings/yr
$79,940/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Nursing

How Montana State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sonoma State University
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$126K
1-yr earn
39.1x
ROI
California State University-East Bay
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$124K
1-yr earn
56.0x
ROI
Samuel Merritt University
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
California State University-Stanislaus
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
38.2x
ROI
Pacific Union College
CA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Also at Montana State University

Other top programs at Montana State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Montana 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Nursing at Montana State University

How does Montana State University's Nursing program score?

A score of 85/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Montana State University's Nursing graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.

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.

Why does Montana State University rank so high for Nursing?

The #219 ranking out of 990 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.