Home Schools University of Michigan Nursing
Health Professions · Nursing Rank #429 of 990

Nursingat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $75,458/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $779K; scenarios range from $688K to $781K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
80 STRONG
80
Optimistic
77
Pessimistic
Earnings
$75,458
1-year post-graduation
ROI
10.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$779K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

While the initial earning figures might seem aligned with the national average, a UMich nursing degree provides distinct advantages in a highly standardized field. Nursing salaries are often dictated by regional labor markets and health system pay scales, meaning an elite education doesn't necessarily translate to a higher *starting* wage. Instead, the value lies in unparalleled clinical training at UMich Health System, a robust alumni network, and accelerated pathways to specialized and advanced practice roles. This program equips you with the critical thinking and leadership skills highly sought by top employers, positioning you for rapid progression into areas like Nurse Practitioner or Anesthetist, where the true long-term ROI manifests. Your degree opens doors to top residency programs and management positions across the Midwest and nationally. To maximize your investment, actively pursue early specialization or leadership opportunities to leverage the program's strong reputation.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$688K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score77/100
Earnings Multiple10.0x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$779K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$781K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score80/100
Earnings Multiple11.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Nursing graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Nurse anesthetists
+8.6% 10-yr growth · 2,700 openings/yr
$223,210/yr
Low
2
Nurse practitioners
+40.1% 10-yr growth · 29,500 openings/yr
$129,210/yr
Moderate
3
Nurse midwives
+11.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$128,790/yr
Moderate
4
Medical and health services managers
+23.2% 10-yr growth · 62,100 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
5
Registered nurses
+4.9% 10-yr growth · 189,100 openings/yr
$93,600/yr
Moderate
6
Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
+16.8% 10-yr growth · 8,600 openings/yr
$79,940/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Nursing

How University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Sonoma State University
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$126K
1-yr earn
39.1x
ROI
California State University-East Bay
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$124K
1-yr earn
56.0x
ROI
Samuel Merritt University
CA · Private nonprofit
67
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
California State University-Stanislaus
CA · Public
91
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
38.2x
ROI
Pacific Union College
CA · Private nonprofit
82
DW Score
$119K
1-yr earn
8.9x
ROI
Also at University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Nursing offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Nursing trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Nursing at University of Michigan

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

This program scores 80/100 — 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 $687,563 in decade earnings vs $781,149 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.