Nursing at Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA · Private nonprofit · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

Mercyhurst University accepts 83% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, with a smaller student body of 2,217 in Erie, PA.

Program Analysis

At $64,009/yr, Nursing graduates from Mercyhurst University land near the $69,474 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

At 7.5x the cost of tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 39% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Nursing graduates.

The median debt load of $21,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #926 out of 947 programs, Mercyhurst University's financial outcomes for Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $64,009 to $66,261 over five years (4% 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
65
High End
Earnings $64,009/yr (-8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$670K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
7.5x
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
$89,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,500
4.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$66,261
4% 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

See the full career breakdown for Nursing — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Mercyhurst University and 946 other schools.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Mercyhurst University

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Mercyhurst University?
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.
How vulnerable is Nursing to AI automation?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $669,677 in decade earnings vs $669,677 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Nursing?
If Mercyhurst University's tuition gives you pause, consider that 4 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Mercyhurst University?
With approximately 292,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Mercyhurst 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 →