Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Angelina College

Angelina College's nursing program offers remarkably low debt but trails most Texas nursing schools in graduate earnings. At $7,828 in median debt—less than half the state median and among the lowest nationally—students graduate with minimal financial burden. However, first-year earnings of $68,900 place this program in just the 40th percentile statewide, meaning 60% of Texas nursing programs produce higher-earning graduates. The gap widens when comparing to top Texas programs, where graduates earn $10,000-$22,000 more annually.

The earnings trajectory adds another wrinkle: graduates see income decline to $65,290 by year four, suggesting either limited advancement opportunities or workforce patterns specific to the region. Even with this decline, the debt-to-earnings ratio remains exceptionally strong at 0.11, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than six weeks of gross earnings.

For families prioritizing affordability and financial safety, this program delivers—you're essentially guaranteeing your child enters a stable profession with negligible debt. But if maximizing earning potential matters, other Texas nursing programs offer significantly higher returns. The trade-off is clear: lowest risk, but not highest reward in a state with many strong nursing options.