Nursing at Murray State University

Murray, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
83 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
83
Optimistic
83
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,608/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 18.4x earnings multiple (9.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #306 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 $718K $716K $641K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.5x 18.4x 16.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 9.2x 9.2x 8.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 83 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,832
Out-of-state: $77,808 (9.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$36,484
6% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,203
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,353
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $68,608/yr, Nursing graduates from Murray State University land near the $75,273 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 18.4x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $18,203 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #306 of 990 Nursing programs, Murray State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $74,353 are relatively flat compared to the $68,608 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Murray State University

With 86% of applicants admitted, Murray State University prioritizes broad access, enrolling 6,646 students in Murray, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Murray 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

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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 Murray State University?
This program scores 83/100 — 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 $641,463 in decade earnings vs $718,196 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →