Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, 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
83
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,774/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 38.7x earnings multiple (20.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #225 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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $704K $702K $631K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 38.8x 38.7x 34.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 20.6x 20.6x 18.5x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 85 85 83

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$18,128
Out-of-state: $34,128 (20.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$50,316
-178% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$72,955
6% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Carolina University's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program produces graduates earning $68,774/yr — within striking distance of the $75,273 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 38.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration's typical career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 10% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,500 in median debt clears quickly against $68,774 in annual earnings.

At #225 of 990 nationally, this is a top-5% Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $72,955 are relatively flat compared to the $68,774 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Western Carolina University

A 87% acceptance rate means Western Carolina University is accessible to most applicants, serving 9,867 students in Cullowhee, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Carolina University →

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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Explore the Trade Alternative

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 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Western Carolina University?
This program scores 85/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $630,852 in decade earnings vs $703,707 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Western Carolina University's Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration program stand out?
Ranked #225 of 990 programs nationally, Western Carolina University 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 →