Entry Level Salary
$58,994
Median Salary
$88,473
Unemployment Rate
1.5%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
9.0%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,538,920
Entry (Early)
$58,994
Median (Prime)
$88,473
High (Prime)
$90,864
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+72k
+312k
+331k
$25k / yr
-18k
+222k
+241k
$50k / yr
-108k
+132k
+151k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
35
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
31
31
$50k / yr
Never
39
37
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-16%
204%
222%
$50k / yr
-50%
61%
70%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate26.9%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Registered nurses
63.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$78,908|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
6.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$113,580|$83,090
openings
634,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +7.2%
Medical and health services managers
3.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$71,735
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$111,189|$117,960
openings
62,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +23.2%
Postsecondary teachers
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$26,031
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$77,713|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Physicians
1.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,777
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$200,000|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Nurse anesthetists
1.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,691
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$200,000|$223,210
openings
2,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.6%
Nursing assistants
0.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$21,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$35,397|$39,530
openings
204,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.3%
Management occupations
0.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Elementary and middle school teachers
0.7% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$43,041
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$57,814|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Home health and personal care aides; and nursing assistants, orderlies, and psychiatric aides
0.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,259
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$30,389|$35,940
openings
983,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +13.2%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.