Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Angelo State University

Angelo State's nursing program lands squarely in the middle of Texas's crowded field, with graduates earning $73,544 initially—about $3,000 below the state median and roughly $1,400 below the national average. More concerning is the earnings trajectory: graduates actually see a 3% decline by year four, dropping to $71,343. While debt loads are manageable at $24,875 (yielding a 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio), graduates are leaving money on the table compared to peers at comparable Texas schools like Austin Community College District or UT Arlington, where starting salaries exceed $85,000.

The performance gap matters financially. That $3,000 annual shortfall compounds over time—potentially $50,000+ over a 15-year career compared to higher-performing in-state alternatives. For a family prioritizing nursing specifically, Texas offers 73 programs, and Angelo State ranks only in the 40th percentile statewide. The slight earnings decline after graduation suggests graduates may face limitations in advancement or specialty opportunities, though the modest debt burden provides some cushion for career pivoting if needed.

If your child is set on Angelo State for location or other reasons, the program won't derail their career—nurses find work everywhere, and the debt is reasonable. But purely from an ROI standpoint, Texas families can access demonstrably stronger nursing programs at similar or lower costs, making this a "safe but not optimal" choice in a state with better options.