Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Covenant School of Nursing and Allied Health

Covenant School of Nursing graduates step into solid starting salaries—$69,194 beats the national benchmark—but find themselves trailing most Texas nursing programs. At the 40th percentile statewide, these new nurses earn about $2,300 less than the typical Texas associate-degree RN, a meaningful gap in a state where many community colleges place graduates above $78,000. More concerning: earnings actually slip to $67,341 by year four, suggesting graduates may struggle to advance or secure the higher-paying positions that typically come with experience.

The financial setup isn't terrible. Debt of $21,698 creates a manageable 0.31 ratio to first-year income, and 42% of students receive Pell grants, indicating the program serves working-class families who need affordable healthcare career pathways. But when neighboring programs like El Paso Community College achieve $10,000 higher starting salaries with less debt, the value comparison becomes uncomfortable.

For a Texas family, this program works as a functional entry point to nursing, but it's not a standout investment. Your child will graduate employable and with reasonable debt, but they'll likely earn less than peers from other Texas nursing programs—and that gap won't close with time. If location ties you to Lubbock, it's viable. If not, other Texas programs deliver better returns for similar or lower cost.