Nursing at Tennessee Technological University

Cookeville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
77 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
77
Optimistic
77
Base Case
76
Pessimistic
Earnings $61,379/yr (-18% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #552 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs

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 $619K $618K $569K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.4x 15.3x 14.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.7x 7.7x 7.1x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 77 77 76

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$40,336
Out-of-state: $80,464 (7.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,828
-41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,625
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$63,546
4% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Tennessee Technological University's Nursing graduates start at $61,379/yr, trailing the $75,273 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 15.3x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $15,625 in median debt clears quickly against $61,379 in annual earnings.

At #552 out of 990 programs, Tennessee Technological University's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $61,379 to $63,546 over five years (4% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About Tennessee Technological University

A 83% acceptance rate means Tennessee Technological University is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 8,495 in Cookeville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at Tennessee Technological 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 Tennessee Technological University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Tennessee Technological University's Nursing program score?
A score of 77/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Tennessee Technological University trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
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 are Nursing earnings lower at Tennessee Technological University?
Lower starting pay at Tennessee Technological University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →