Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Northeast Texas Community College

Northeast Texas Community College graduates start strong, earning $67,139 in their first year—a respectable figure that keeps debt manageable at just $19,000. But here's the concern: by year four, earnings drop to $55,623, a decline that's unusual for nursing careers which typically see steady growth. This puts the program below the 40th percentile among Texas nursing programs, where the state median sits at $71,487. Top-performing Texas programs like Paris Junior College nearby produce graduates earning $78,821—nearly $12,000 more in starting income.

The early earnings dip might reflect graduates initially taking higher-paying hospital positions, then moving to different nursing roles or reducing hours. While the low debt burden means graduates aren't financially constrained, the combination of below-average Texas earnings and declining income trajectory suggests this program isn't positioning students for the strongest career outcomes. For a family considering nursing school in Texas, programs like Weatherford College or Paris Junior College offer demonstrably better earning potential without significantly more debt.

The bottom line: this is an affordable entry into nursing, but Texas families have access to stronger programs at similar or lower costs that better leverage the state's robust healthcare job market.