Nursing at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Edinburg, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
87 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
87
Optimistic
87
Base Case
84
Pessimistic
Earnings $77,619/yr (3% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 21.3x earnings multiple (10.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #154 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 25%

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 $844K $842K $734K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 21.4x 21.3x 18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.6x 10.6x 9.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 87 87 84

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$39,436
Out-of-state: $79,756 (10.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$26,000
34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,208
1.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$87,989
13% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $77,619 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 21.3x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

At $11,208 in median debt against $77,619 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #154 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $87,989 are relatively flat compared to the $77,619 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has a 85% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, one of the larger campuses at 27,026 students in Edinburg, TX. 64% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity. The average net cost of $26,000 over four years represents a 34% discount from published tuition.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley →

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 The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
This program scores 87/100 — 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 $733,775 in decade earnings vs $844,255 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #154 of 990 programs nationally, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →