Nursing at Bluefield State University

Bluefield, WV · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Bluefield State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a smaller institution with 1,231 students in Bluefield, WV.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $62,242 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 37.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 16% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $15,500 in median debt against $62,242 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #770 out of 947 programs, Bluefield State University's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $62,242 to $74,864 shows 20% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

Nursing connects to 4 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

73 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
67
Low End
73
Score
73
High End
Earnings $62,242/yr (-10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$773K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
37.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$20,480
Out-of-state: $35,120
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,500
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,864
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Bluefield State University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Bluefield State University?
At 73/100, the score looks reasonable — but Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Bluefield State University?
Our scenarios model 39% of Nursing tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Bluefield State University's 73/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
How affordable is Nursing at Bluefield State University?
Median debt of just $15,500 against $62,242/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
If Bluefield State University's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
The career paths mapped to Nursing have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →