Nursing at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
79 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
78
Optimistic
79
Base Case
77
Pessimistic
Earnings $65,298/yr (-13% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 13.4x earnings multiple (5.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #486 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 $723K $721K $645K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.4x 13.4x 12.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.7x 5.6x 5.0x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 78 79 77

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (5.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,229
14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $65,298 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 13.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 11% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $12,500 in median debt against $65,298 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

A #486 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places The University of Tennessee-Knoxville in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The limited growth from $65,298 to $74,229 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

With a 46% acceptance rate, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville is moderately selective, with 28,763 students enrolled in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 does a 79/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
At 79/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The 39% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →