WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-7% vs national median2,566 grads tracked

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Western Carolina University

Ranked 201st of 294 bachelor's programs in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$65,785
middle 50%: $56,051 – $78,937
Median · 5 years out
$78,004
middle 50%: $60,530 – $96,295
Median · 10 years out
$90,311
middle 50%: $67,390 – $113,113

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Western Carolina University's bachelor's program in Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing earn a median $65,785 one year after graduating, rising to $90,311 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 7% below the national median of $84,234 for this field, ranking 201st of 294 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
4.9 yrs
≈ $5,309 total interest

Same major at other universities

Augusta University
$78,248 · 5 yrs out
James Madison University
$78,210 · 5 yrs out
Bluefield State University
$78,152 · 5 yrs out
Pennsylvania State University (The) - Erie, The Behrend College
$78,143 · 5 yrs out
Western Illinois University
$78,110 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
$78,058 · 5 yrs out
West Virginia University
$77,980 · 5 yrs out
Montana Technological University
$77,952 · 5 yrs out
Cleveland State University
$77,849 · 5 yrs out
University of Michigan
$77,782 · 5 yrs out
Indiana State University
$77,738 · 5 yrs out
University of South Carolina - Aiken
$77,554 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Carolina University

Education (Doctorate)
$96,791 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$95,724 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$88,779 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$88,474 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$86,622 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Computer Science (Bachelor's)
$86,297 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Master's)
$86,216 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$85,927 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Doctorate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctorate)
$84,494 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's)
$81,907 · 5 yrs out

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