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Health Professions · Nursing Rank #244 of 990

Nursingat Washington State University

Graduates earn $83,894/yr in their first year — about 11.0% above the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $801K; scenarios range from $704K to $804K depending on AI disruption.

Pullman, WA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
85 ELITE
85
Optimistic
82
Pessimistic
Earnings
$83,894
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.3x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$801K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Washington State University

Graduates earn $83,894/yr, edging above the $75,273 national average for Nursing — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

With a 15.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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 $13,476 in median debt against $83,894 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Washington State University ranks #244 among 990 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $83,894 to $84,931 over five years suggests earnings in this field plateau relatively early in one's career.

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
$704K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score82/100
Earnings Multiple13.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$801K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple15.4x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$804K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score85/100
Earnings Multiple15.5x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Washington State University'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 Washington State University 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 Washington State University

Other top programs at Washington State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Washington State 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Nursing at Washington State University

What does a 85/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Washington State University?

At 85/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.

Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Washington State 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.

Is Washington State University one of the best schools for Nursing?

Among 990 Nursing programs, Washington State University's #244 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.