Nursing Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Clinical practice focused on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Starting Salary
$65K
median
Mid-Career
$82K
salary
ROI Payback
3.2 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
1.2%
rate
Nursing Overview
Clinical practice focused on patient care, health promotion, and disease prevention.
Category
Healthcare
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
78%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$700K
Female Graduates
85%
Nursing Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,000
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,000
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$682,000
Lifetime earnings premium ($700,000) minus net degree cost ($18,000)
Nursing Salary Progression
Common Nursing Careers
Registered Nurse
Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Nursing
#1
Johns Hopkins
#2
Duke
#3
University of Pennsylvania
#4
UCSF
#5
Emory
Related Majors
Nursing Degree FAQ
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