Nursing at Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
82 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
81
Optimistic
82
Base Case
80
Pessimistic
Earnings $68,294/yr (-9% vs median)
AI Risk High (39% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)
ROI 15.9x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #361 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 $729K $727K $649K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.9x 15.9x 14.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 87% 86% 64%
DegreeOutlook Score 81 82 80

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$45,744
Out-of-state: $108,000 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$43,664
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$22,647
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,333
10% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Western Kentucky University's Nursing program produces graduates earning $68,294/yr — within striking distance of the $75,273 national average for this field.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.9x 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 — $22,647 in median debt clears quickly against $68,294 in annual earnings.

At #361 of 990 Nursing programs, Western Kentucky University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $75,333 are relatively flat compared to the $68,294 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About Western Kentucky University

A 97% acceptance rate means Western Kentucky University is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 12,267 students in Bowling Green, KY.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Kentucky 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

Nursing at Other Schools

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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 Nursing at Western Kentucky University?
This program scores 82/100 — 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 $649,237 in decade earnings vs $728,814 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →