Nursing at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
85 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
85
Optimistic
85
Base Case
82
Pessimistic
Earnings $71,594/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 20.6x earnings multiple (4.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #223 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 $741K $739K $658K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 20.6x 20.6x 18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.7x 4.7x 4.2x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 85 82

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,956
Out-of-state: $157,320 (4.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,932
-44% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,802
3.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,041
8% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $71,594 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 20.6x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $19,802 in median debt against $71,594 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #223 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $77,041 are relatively flat compared to the $71,594 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill admits 19% of applicants, placing it among selective institutions, one of the larger campuses at 20,556 students in Chapel Hill, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill →

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

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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 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill?
This program scores 85/100 — 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 $658,183 in decade earnings vs $741,031 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #223 of 990 programs nationally, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 →