Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Lee College

Texas nursing certificate programs vary widely in outcomes, and based on comparable programs across the state, Lee College appears to track right at the middle of the pack. The estimated $46,000 in first-year earnings matches the Texas median exactly and sits slightly above the national benchmark of $44,134. The projected debt load of $14,250 is actually a touch lower than both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31—reasonable for a healthcare credential that typically leads to immediate employment.

What's missing from this picture is how Lee College specifically compares to stronger-performing programs in Texas. The top nursing certificate programs in the state report first-year earnings ranging from $55,000 to $65,000—substantially higher than what peer programs suggest Lee College graduates might earn. That $10,000 to $20,000 gap represents real money when you're starting a career, though it's unclear whether those differences stem from program quality, regional job markets, or the specific healthcare facilities where graduates find work.

For families in the Baytown area, this program likely offers a practical entry point to nursing without crushing debt, particularly given that nearly a third of students receive Pell grants. The key question you can't answer from estimates alone: does Lee College connect its graduates to higher-paying opportunities in the Houston metro area, or do they plateau at the state median? Request actual placement data and starting salary information directly from the school before committing.