Nursingat Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduates earn $71,847/yr in their first year — about 5.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $838K; scenarios range from $731K to $840K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Virginia Commonwealth University
Graduates earn $71,847/yr, roughly in line with the $75,273 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.
With first-year pay of $71,847 far exceeding the $21,591 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
At #414 of 990 Nursing programs, Virginia Commonwealth University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $71,847 to $86,488 over five years — a 20% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Virginia Commonwealth 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 Virginia Commonwealth University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Virginia Commonwealth University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Virginia Commonwealth 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 Virginia Commonwealth University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Virginia Commonwealth University?
This program scores 81/100 — 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 $730,986 in decade earnings vs $840,447 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.