Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Dallas College

Dallas College's nursing certificate program appears positioned above the typical Texas outcome, with peer programs nationally suggesting around $66,000 in first-year earnings—substantially higher than the $45,000 median for Texas nursing certificates. That national benchmark would make the estimated $19,250 in debt more manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29. However, it's worth noting that the Texas median tells a different story, with earnings nearly $20,000 lower and debt closer to $13,000.

This gap matters because we're working with estimates here—the actual graduate sample was too small to report publicly. If Dallas College's outcomes track closer to other Texas programs than to the national average, the financial picture shifts considerably. A certificate holder earning in the mid-$40,000s with $19,000 in debt faces a tighter margin than the national comparison suggests. The fact that 23% of students receive Pell grants indicates meaningful financial need among the student body, making debt levels particularly consequential.

For parents, the key question is whether this certificate represents a direct path to RN licensure or serves as a stepping stone requiring additional credentials. If graduates can immediately enter the workforce as registered nurses—a field with strong Texas demand—the investment looks reasonable even at the lower state earnings level. If not, you're looking at debt that compounds before your child reaches full earning potential.