Nursingat Valparaiso University
Graduates earn $73,747/yr in their first year — about 2.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $765K; scenarios range from $678K to $768K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Valparaiso University
First-year earnings of $73,747 track close to the $75,273 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
At 4.1x tuition cost in decade earnings, the ROI is moderate. This program pays for itself, but it's not a financial slam-dunk.
The 12% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $25,250 in median debt against $73,747 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
A #744 ranking among 990 Nursing programs places Valparaiso University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.
The limited growth from $73,747 to $79,968 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Valparaiso University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Nursing
How Valparaiso University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Valparaiso University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Valparaiso University, 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 →Frequently asked about Nursing at Valparaiso University
What does a 71/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Valparaiso University?
At 71/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nursing is a high-scoring field overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Valparaiso University?
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.
What do students actually pay for Nursing at Valparaiso University?
The 54% gap between sticker price and net cost means most students pay far less than $186,352. At a net cost of $86,332, the earnings multiple improves substantially.