Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Del Mar College

The national benchmark of $51,744 in first-year earnings suggests solid immediate returns for LVN programs, though Texas-specific outcomes tell a more cautious story. Peer programs across the state typically produce earnings around $42,360—nearly $10,000 less than the national figure. This gap matters because Del Mar's estimates draw from national data, while your child would likely be working in the Texas healthcare market where LVN wages run lower.

The estimated debt load of roughly $18,000 falls between state and national medians, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio around 0.35 if national earning patterns hold. That's manageable on paper, but less comfortable if actual outcomes land closer to the Texas median. Programs at Grayson and Trinity Valley, with reported data, show first-year earnings in the low-to-mid $40,000s—enough to service this debt level but leaving less financial breathing room than the estimate suggests. The 33% Pell grant rate indicates Del Mar serves cost-conscious students, which makes accurate earnings expectations especially important.

Given the $10,000 gap between state and national benchmarks, push Del Mar's nursing department for placement data specific to their graduates. Where do their LVNs actually work, and what do local employers pay? The estimated figures provide a starting point, but Texas-specific outcomes will determine whether this investment pencils out.