Nursingat South University-Columbia
Graduates earn $77,635/yr in their first year — about 3.0% above the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $871K; scenarios range from $756K to $874K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at South University-Columbia
First-year earnings of $77,635 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.9x 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 14% gap from the optimistic case.
At $23,592 in median debt against $77,635 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
At #376 of 990 Nursing programs, South University-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $90,784 are relatively flat compared to the $77,635 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to South University-Columbia's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Nursing
How South University-Columbia stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at South University-Columbia
Other highest-scoring programs offered at South University-Columbia, 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 →Frequently asked about Nursing at South University-Columbia
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at South University-Columbia?
This program scores 82/100 — 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 $755,534 in decade earnings vs $873,967 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.