Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie

Concorde Career College-Grand Prairie charges students 63% more debt than the typical Texas nursing program while delivering earnings that decline by $5,400 over four years—from a strong $54,557 initially to below $50,000 by year four. That downward trajectory is unusual for a healthcare field and raises questions about whether graduates sustain their nursing careers or face challenges maintaining employment.

The first-year earnings do rank in the 91st percentile nationally, suggesting graduates exit with marketable skills. But within Texas, this program sits at just the 60th percentile—meaning three comparable schools in the state (including Concorde's own Dallas campus) produce better long-term outcomes. With 72 nursing programs across Texas, the state median debt of $14,535 offers a much lower-cost entry into the same field. The 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it's a premium price point for middle-of-the-pack state results.

For families where three-quarters of students qualify for Pell grants, that extra $9,000 in debt matters. Unless proximity to Grand Prairie is essential, exploring community college programs or even Concorde's Dallas location could deliver similar credentials with significantly less financial burden and potentially more stable earnings trajectories.