Nursing at Southern Utah University

Cedar City, UT · 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
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,898/yr (-12% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 25.2x earnings multiple (8.3x out-of-state)
Ranked #329 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 $684K $682K $616K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 25.2x 25.2x 22.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.3x 8.3x 7.5x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 83 83 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$27,080
Out-of-state: $82,344 (8.3x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$45,728
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,000
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$70,566
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $65,898/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 25.2x 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.

With first-year pay of $65,898 far exceeding the $11,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #329 of 990 Nursing programs, Southern Utah University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $70,566 are relatively flat compared to the $65,898 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University accepts 80% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a mid-sized student body of 9,533 in Cedar City, UT.

See all programs and financial aid at Southern Utah 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

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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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Southern Utah 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 $616,202 in decade earnings vs $683,701 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →