Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas

Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas places graduates into strong-earning positions—$85,169 beats both national and Texas medians—but comes at a premium price. While the program ranks in the 84th percentile nationally for earnings, the $51,854 in debt is nearly double what typical Texas nursing graduates carry ($25,697 state median). That debt load ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of comparable programs leave students with less debt. The 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's considerably higher than you'd find at peer institutions like Austin Community College ($88,105 earnings, likely lower debt as a public institution) or Texas A&M-Central Texas ($88,036).

The 100% admission rate and high Pell grant percentage (65%) suggest this program serves students who might face barriers elsewhere, which has value beyond the numbers. However, the financial equation demands scrutiny: your child could earn similar or better first-year salaries at multiple Texas nursing programs while taking on half the debt. For a family comfortable with higher borrowing in exchange for open access and predictable admission, this works. But if minimizing debt is a priority—and it should be for most nursing students—Texas offers numerous paths to comparable earnings without the premium price tag.