Nursing at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
87 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
87
Optimistic
87
Base Case
84
Pessimistic
Earnings $74,935/yr (-0% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 22.4x earnings multiple (10.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #135 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 25%

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 $796K $794K $698K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.5x 22.4x 19.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.1x 10.1x 8.9x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 87 87 84

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,456
Out-of-state: $78,608 (10.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$55,236
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,175
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$82,918
11% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $74,935 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 22.4x 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 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $22,175 in median debt against $74,935 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #135 out of 990 programs, Northwestern State University of Louisiana's Nursing program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth is modest: $74,935 to $82,918 over five years (11% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Northwestern State University of Louisiana has a 94% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 5,840 students in Natchitoches, LA.

See all programs and financial aid at Northwestern State University of Louisiana →

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

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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

How does Northwestern State University of Louisiana's Nursing program score?
A score of 87/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Northwestern State University of Louisiana'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 Northwestern State University of Louisiana rank so high for Nursing?
The #135 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →