Nursing at Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
81 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
81
Optimistic
81
Base Case
79
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,649/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.6x earnings multiple (7.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #401 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 $683K $682K $616K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.7x 15.6x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.0x 7.9x 7.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 81 81 79

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,584
Out-of-state: $85,920 (7.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$28,672
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,050
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,920
3% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Northern Kentucky University's Nursing program produces graduates earning $68,649/yr — within striking distance of the $75,273 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.6x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,050 in median debt clears quickly against $68,649 in annual earnings.

At #401 of 990 Nursing programs, Northern Kentucky University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $70,920 are relatively flat compared to the $68,649 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Northern Kentucky University

A 96% acceptance rate means Northern Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, serving 8,065 students in Highland Heights, KY. The average net cost of $28,672 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at Northern Kentucky 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 Northern Kentucky University

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 Northern Kentucky University?
This program scores 81/100 — 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 $616,013 in decade earnings vs $683,443 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →