Nursing at University of California-Irvine

Irvine, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
89 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
89
Optimistic
89
Base Case
86
Pessimistic
Earnings $87,715/yr (17% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.2x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #56 of 990 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs Top 10%

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 $1,158K $1,153K $964K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.3x 20.2x 16.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.4x 6.4x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 89 89 86

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$56,948
Out-of-state: $180,056 (6.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,360
10% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,500
1.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$118,467
35% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of California-Irvine's Nursing graduates start at $87,715/yr — above the $75,273 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 20.2x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 17% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,500 in median debt clears quickly against $87,715 in annual earnings.

At #56 of 990 programs, this Nursing program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.

A 35% earnings increase from $87,715 to $118,467 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

About University of California-Irvine

Admission to University of California-Irvine is competitive, with 26% of applicants accepted, with 29,494 students enrolled in Irvine, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Irvine →

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 University of California-Irvine

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 89/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at University of California-Irvine?
At 89/100, 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 University of California-Irvine?
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 →