Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research at University of Alabama
AL · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 51.38
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research degree from University of Alabama earn a median salary of $74,445 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in AL, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $84,405. The degree typically pays for itself in 5.1 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$58,076
Typical Career
$74,445
Top Performers
$96,475
Estimated break-even: 5.1 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$496
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $6,204. Most students can comfortably afford about a $496 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.9x more than the average US high school graduate and 1.0x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Alabama buys what costs $0.88 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$84,405
Nominal: $74,445 in Alabama (COL 88.2% of national avg) · 13.4% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $52,922 | $63,499 | $76,574 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $58,076 | $74,445 | $96,475 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $66,937 | $90,261 | $118,747 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $74,445 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in AL, which has a cost-of-living index of 88.2% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $74,445 × (1.0 ÷ 0.8820)
= $84,405 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
Graduates typically enter diverse industries, with the top sectors being Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (16.5%), Educational Services (14.6%), and Health Care & Social Assistance (14.2%). The estimated break-even point for graduates compared to a high-school-only path is approximately 5.1 years, suggesting a favorable return on investment for those pursuing a nursing degree. Overall, the combination of strong earning potential and diverse career opportunities supports a positive ROI for students considering this field at the University of Alabama.
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Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.