Nursing at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Natchitoches, LA · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

With 94% of applicants admitted, Northwestern State University of Louisiana prioritizes broad access, enrolling 5,840 students in Natchitoches, LA.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $68,346/yr, roughly in line with the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 42.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 6% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $68,346 far exceeding the $23,250 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #693 of 947 Nursing programs, Northwestern State University of Louisiana falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $74,729 are relatively flat compared to the $68,346 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

76 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
71
Low End
76
Score
76
High End
Earnings $68,346/yr (-2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$757K
2.3% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
42.7x
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)
$17,728
Out-of-state: $39,304
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
4.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,729
9% 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

What can you do with a Nursing credential from Northwestern State University of Louisiana? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwestern State University of Louisiana

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwestern State University of Louisiana's Nursing program score?
A score of 76/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Northwestern State University of Louisiana trails the majority of Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
Will AI affect Nursing careers?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Northwestern State University of Louisiana, a score of 76/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Northwestern State University of Louisiana's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Northwestern State University of Louisiana?
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 →