Nursing at Southwest Baptist University

Bolivar, MO · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Southwest Baptist University accepts 100% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 1,339 in Bolivar, MO.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $59,620 track close to the $69,474 national median for Nursing programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 11.1x 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 1% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

At $18,600 in median debt against $59,620 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #925 out of 947 programs, Southwest Baptist University's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $59,620 to $62,412 over five years (5% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

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

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
65
Score
66
High End
Earnings $59,620/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$628K
1.1% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
11.1x
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
$56,640
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,600
3.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$62,412
5% 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

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southwest Baptist University

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Southwest Baptist University's Nursing program score?
This program scores 65/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Southwest Baptist University?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $623,758 in decade earnings vs $628,040 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing graduates?
There are 4 registered apprenticeships connected to Nursing occupations, such as Home Health Director and Long Term Care Nurse Management. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Southwest Baptist University?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Southwest Baptist University graduates enter a market shaped by an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →