Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Frank Phillips College

Comparable nursing programs in Texas suggest graduates typically earn around $46,000 in their first year—right at the state median—with earnings climbing modestly to about $48,400 by year four. The estimated $14,250 in debt produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, meaning graduates would owe roughly three to four months of their first year's salary. That's a manageable burden for a vocational credential that gets students into the workforce quickly.

However, the gap between typical programs and the state's top performers is striking. Programs at Alvin Community College and several Concorde campuses are producing graduates who earn $55,000 to $65,000—substantially more than peer programs suggest for Frank Phillips. Since the figures here are estimates based on similar Texas nursing programs rather than tracked outcomes from Frank Phillips specifically, it's worth investigating why some schools consistently produce stronger results. Geography matters in nursing—Borger's rural Panhandle location may offer different salary scales than Houston or Dallas suburbs.

The practical takeaway: nursing credentials generally offer solid return relative to debt, and the estimated numbers here align with typical Texas outcomes. But if your student has options among nursing programs, compare actual graduate earnings when available. The 24% Pell grant rate suggests Frank Phillips serves a more economically diverse student body than some competitors, which may appeal to families prioritizing affordability and accessibility over maximum earnings potential.