Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Central Texas College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
Central Texas College's practical nursing certificate delivers exactly what you'd expect from a solid community college program: market-rate earnings with minimal debt baggage. At $48,689 in first-year earnings, graduates out-earn 60% of Texas nursing certificate programs while borrowing just $9,609—about two-thirds less than the typical Texas nursing student takes on.
That low debt figure is crucial. While some Texas programs like Alvin Community College ($64,976) or Chicago School of Nursing ($59,039) report higher graduate earnings, they often come with significantly more debt. Central Texas College's debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 means graduates can realistically pay off their loans within months, not years, on a practical nurse's salary. This matters especially for the 31% of students here receiving Pell grants, who may have less family financial cushion.
The program performs solidly against both state and national benchmarks—outearning the national median by over $4,500 and ranking in the 70th percentile nationally. For a straightforward path into healthcare without gambling on heavy debt, this represents a pragmatic choice. Your child gets trained, credentialed, and working without the financial stress that derails many healthcare careers before they start.
Where Central Texas College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Central Texas College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Central Texas College graduates earn $49k, placing them in the 70th percentile of all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (72 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College | $48,689 | — | $9,609 | 0.20 |
| Alvin Community College | $64,976 | — | $10,215 | 0.16 |
| The Chicago School-College of Nursing | $59,039 | $55,513 | $20,324 | 0.34 |
| Concorde Career College-Dallas | $57,339 | $57,064 | $17,268 | 0.30 |
| Angelina College | $54,637 | — | — | — |
| Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie | $54,557 | $49,113 | $23,636 | 0.43 |
| National Median | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Community College Alvin | $1,834 | $64,976 | $10,215 |
| The Chicago School-College of Nursing Richardson | — | $59,039 | $20,324 |
| Concorde Career College-Dallas Dallas | — | $57,339 | $17,268 |
| Angelina College Lufkin | $3,150 | $54,637 | — |
| Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie Grand Prairie | — | $54,557 | $23,636 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Central Texas College, approximately 31% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 30 graduates with reported earnings and 45 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.