Nursing at University of South Carolina Aiken

Aiken, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
84 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
84
Optimistic
84
Base Case
81
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,714/yr (-3% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 17.3x earnings multiple (8.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #277 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 $748K $746K $663K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 17.4x 17.3x 15.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.8x 8.8x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 84 84 81

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$43,040
Out-of-state: $84,872 (8.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,444
-8% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,667
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$77,864
7% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of South Carolina Aiken's Nursing program produces graduates earning $72,714/yr — within striking distance of the $75,273 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.3x 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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $23,667 in median debt clears quickly against $72,714 in annual earnings.

At #277 of 990 Nursing programs, University of South Carolina Aiken scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $77,864 are relatively flat compared to the $72,714 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of South Carolina Aiken

A 80% acceptance rate means University of South Carolina Aiken is accessible to most applicants, a compact campus enrolling 2,805 students in Aiken, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina Aiken →

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 South Carolina Aiken

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at University of South Carolina Aiken?
This program scores 84/100 — 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 $663,078 in decade earnings vs $747,714 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →