Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Midland College

Nursing programs in Texas show enormous variation in outcomes, and without actual graduate data from Midland College, we're left with national estimates that may not reflect the local reality. The estimated first-year earnings of $66,398 sit well above the Texas median of $45,266 for similar nursing certificates—but that state figure comes from programs with reported data, where we can verify what graduates actually earn. It's entirely possible Midland's outcomes align more closely with typical Texas results than national ones.

The estimated debt of $19,250 falls between the Texas median ($13,061) and national median ($23,562), yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29 if the salary estimate holds. That would be manageable for nursing. But here's the challenge: nursing is heavily influenced by local healthcare markets, and Midland's oil-driven economy creates a unique employment landscape that national peer programs may not capture. The low Pell percentage (19%) suggests this school serves a different demographic than many community colleges, which could affect typical debt loads.

The practical issue is that you're making a financial decision based on proxies rather than track record. If your child attends and the actual earnings land closer to the Texas median, that $19,250 debt becomes a different proposition. Before committing, contact Midland's nursing program directly for their actual placement rates and starting salaries—they track this information even if DOE doesn't publish it.