Program Analysis
At $71,933/yr, Nursing graduates from Southwest Minnesota State University land near the $75,273 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 19.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 13% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
The median debt load of $13,875 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
Southwest Minnesota State University ranks #183 among 990 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.
The limited growth from $71,933 to $84,871 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.