Home Schools Wichita State University Nursing
Health Professions · Nursing Rank #469 of 990

Nursingat Wichita State University

Graduates earn $63,301/yr in their first year — about 16.0% below the national Nursing average. Base-case 10-year earnings $644K; scenarios range from $588K to $646K depending on AI disruption.

Wichita, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
79 STRONG
79
Optimistic
78
Pessimistic
Earnings
$63,301
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$644K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
43% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Wichita State University

At $63,301 per year, Nursing graduates from Wichita State University earn below the $75,273 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 17.3x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $22,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #469 of 990 Nursing programs, Wichita State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $66,435 are relatively flat compared to the $63,301 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

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
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score78/100
Earnings Multiple15.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$644K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple17.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$646K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score79/100
Earnings Multiple17.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Other top programs at Wichita State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Wichita 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 Wichita State University

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Nursing at Wichita State University?

This program scores 79/100 — 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 $588,338 in decade earnings vs $645,651 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Nursing from Wichita State University?

First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.