Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at McLennan Community College

McLennan Community College's nursing program graduates earn roughly $5,000 less annually than the typical Texas ADN program graduate—a gap that places it squarely in the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile statewide. While $66,556 starting salary provides solid middle-class earnings, comparable programs at schools like Weatherford College and Paris Junior College deliver $12,000+ more per year with similar debt loads. That difference compounds to potentially hundreds of thousands over a nursing career.

The debt picture offers modest relief: at $17,864, graduates carry slightly less than the Texas median and well below the national average. With a 0.27 debt-to-earnings ratio, repayment shouldn't strain budgets. However, the essentially flat earnings trajectory—just $800 growth over four years—suggests limited advancement compared to programs where nurses see more significant income progression.

The small sample size here matters. With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift considerably with more data. For families considering this program, the real question becomes whether the proximity and access of McLennan justifies earning $10,000+ less annually than top-performing Texas community college nursing programs. If staying in Waco is essential, the reasonable debt makes this workable. But if you're willing to relocate for school, several Texas community colleges deliver substantially better financial outcomes for roughly the same investment.