Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Kilgore College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
kilgore.eduAnalysis
Kilgore College's practical nursing program lands solidly in the middle of the pack nationally but trails behind many Texas alternatives—a significant concern given that most students will be competing for jobs in-state. At $43,903 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $2,100 less than the Texas median and fall into just the 40th percentile among the state's 72 nursing programs. Meanwhile, several community colleges like Alvin and Angelina deliver 25-50% higher starting salaries, suggesting students may find better preparation and job placement elsewhere in Texas.
The financial structure itself looks reasonable: $18,688 in debt translates to a manageable 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates carry less debt than three-quarters of similar programs nationally. For a field where you can start working within months and earn mid-forties straight out of school, that's not a bad deal. The 37% Pell grant rate indicates the program serves working-class students who need quick entry to healthcare careers.
The question is whether attending Kilgore makes sense when other Texas schools produce significantly stronger outcomes at similar costs. If location or specific circumstances tie you to this area, the program will get you credentialed without crushing debt. But if you have mobility, Texas offers considerably stronger nursing programs that could boost your child's earning power by $10,000+ annually—a substantial difference that compounds over a career.
Where Kilgore College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Kilgore College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (72 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Kilgore CollegeKilgore | $2,160 | $43,903 | — | $18,688 | 0.43 |
 Alvin Community CollegeAlvin | $1,834 | $64,976 | — | $10,215 | 0.16 |
 The Chicago School-College of NursingRichardson | — | $59,039 | $55,513 | $20,324 | 0.34 |
 Concorde Career College-DallasDallas | — | $57,339 | $57,064 | $17,268 | 0.30 |
 Angelina CollegeLufkin | $3,150 | $54,637 | — | — | — |
| Concorde Career College-Grand PrairieGrand Prairie | — | $54,557 | $49,113 | $23,636 | 0.43 |
| National Median | — | $44,134 | — | $14,803 | 0.34 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with practical nursing, vocational nursing and nursing assistants graduates
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 Kilgore College, approximately 37% 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 40 graduates with reported earnings and 47 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.