Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at El Paso Community College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
El Paso Community College nursing graduates enter the workforce earning nearly $80,000—outperforming 91% of similar associate nursing programs nationwide and landing solidly in the middle tier (60th percentile) among Texas programs. The $17,500 in typical debt is manageable at just 0.22 times first-year earnings, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under three months of earnings. For a community college serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients, these numbers demonstrate strong immediate returns.
The complication appears in year four, when median earnings drop to about $69,500—a 13% decline that reverses the usual wage growth pattern. This could reflect graduates moving from higher-paying hospital shifts to different nursing roles, reduced overtime, or part-time work by choice. It's worth noting that even with this decline, four-year earnings still exceed both the national and Texas medians for associate nursing programs.
For families in El Paso, this program offers a clear path to solid middle-class earnings with minimal debt burden. While some Texas community colleges produce slightly higher earners (Weatherford and Paris Junior both hit nearly $79,000), El Paso CC's combination of strong initial placement and low debt makes it a dependable option. The earnings dip is something to monitor, but doesn't negate the program's fundamental value as an affordable entry point to nursing.
Where El Paso Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates'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 El Paso Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
El Paso Community College graduates earn $80k, placing them in the 91th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (64 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Paso Community College | $79,996 | $69,562 | $17,500 | 0.22 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | $91,353 | — | $41,659 | 0.46 |
| Texas State Technical College | $79,324 | $75,337 | $24,654 | 0.31 |
| Weatherford College | $78,873 | $71,802 | $17,015 | 0.22 |
| Paris Junior College | $78,821 | — | $13,975 | 0.18 |
| Wharton County Junior College | $78,791 | $72,737 | $13,346 | 0.17 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest Houston | — | $91,353 | $41,659 |
| Texas State Technical College Waco | $7,192 | $79,324 | $24,654 |
| Weatherford College Weatherford | $4,560 | $78,873 | $17,015 |
| Paris Junior College Paris | $2,580 | $78,821 | $13,975 |
| Wharton County Junior College Wharton | $2,916 | $78,791 | $13,346 |
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 El Paso Community College, approximately 36% 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 61 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.