Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Gardner-Webb University

Boiling Springs, NC · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Gardner-Webb University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 1,836 students in Boiling Springs, NC.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $67,979/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 11.2x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $67,979 far exceeding the $19,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #908 ranking among 947 Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs places Gardner-Webb University in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The limited growth from $67,979 to $74,294 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $67,979/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$753K
2.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.3x
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
$66,900
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
3.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,294
9% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration 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 →

About Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Careers

Your career begins on the front lines as a Registered Nurse. You’ll work in fast-paced hospitals or clinics, monitoring patient vitals on EKG machines, administering medications, and updating electronic health records. After gaining experience, your path can branch. You might pursue advanced clinical practice to become a Nurse Practitioner, where you’ll diagnose conditions, prescribe treatments, and manage your own patient caseload. Alternatively, you could move into leadership as a Health Services Manager, where your day involves managing staff schedules, overseeing budgets, and ensuring your department runs smoothly.

Read the full Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration career guide →

Compare & Explore

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration Overview

Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Other Schools

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration at Gardner-Webb University?
A score of 67/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Gardner-Webb University trails the majority of Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration careers outright, but it is likely to reduce job openings. We model 39% task exposure, which compresses employment probability in our scenarios.
What's the typical debt for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Gardner-Webb University?
At $19,500 in median debt, Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates from Gardner-Webb University carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration graduates?
The career paths mapped to Registered Nursing & Nursing Administration have roughly 292,500 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →