Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Baptist Health System School of Health Professions

Baptist Health's practical nursing certificate produces graduates earning nearly $49,000 within their first year—above both the Texas median ($46,004) and national average ($44,134). While this puts you in the 60th percentile for Texas and 70th nationally, it's worth noting there are stronger-performing programs in the state if your student is willing to relocate or commute. Alvin Community College, for instance, reports median earnings exceeding $64,000.

The debt picture is reasonable: $16,243 represents just a third of first-year earnings, making this one of the more manageable debt loads you'll encounter in healthcare training. Given that over half of students here receive Pell grants, the program appears designed with affordability in mind. For a family in San Antonio looking for healthcare credentials without relocating, this represents a solid local option.

The caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more than usual. That said, practical nursing credentials generally lead to steady employment in healthcare settings. If your student wants to enter the workforce quickly with manageable debt and you're staying in San Antonio, this program delivers that path—just know it's not the highest-earning option available in Texas.