Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Rio Grande Valley College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Rio Grande Valley College's associate nursing program produces graduates earning $77,845 in their first year—about $9,400 more than the national median and $6,300 above Texas's state median. That lands solidly in the 60th percentile among Texas nursing programs, and with $27,226 in debt, graduates carry just 4 months' salary into their careers. For a community college serving nearly half its students on Pell grants, these outcomes deliver strong social mobility.
The debt figure ($27,226) sits higher than both the state median ($18,000) and national average ($20,751), which bears watching. However, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35 remains manageable—graduates should be able to pay this down while building their careers. Texas's robust nursing market clearly benefits these graduates, though they're not quite reaching the $79,000+ earnings of the state's top-performing programs.
The major caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can skew the numbers significantly. Still, for families considering affordable nursing pathways in the Rio Grande Valley, this program appears to be doing its job—combining reasonable debt loads with above-average earning potential in a profession with strong demand.
Where Rio Grande Valley College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Rio Grande Valley College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Rio Grande Valley College graduates earn $78k, placing them in the 85th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (64 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande Valley College | $77,845 | — | $27,226 | 0.35 |
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest | $91,353 | — | $41,659 | 0.46 |
| El Paso Community College | $79,996 | $69,562 | $17,500 | 0.22 |
| Texas State Technical College | $79,324 | $75,337 | $24,654 | 0.31 |
| Weatherford College | $78,873 | $71,802 | $17,015 | 0.22 |
| Paris Junior College | $78,821 | — | $13,975 | 0.18 |
| National Median | $68,409 | — | $20,751 | 0.30 |
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs in Texas
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across Texas schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest Houston | — | $91,353 | $41,659 |
| El Paso Community College El Paso | $3,274 | $79,996 | $17,500 |
| Texas State Technical College Waco | $7,192 | $79,324 | $24,654 |
| Weatherford College Weatherford | $4,560 | $78,873 | $17,015 |
| Paris Junior College Paris | $2,580 | $78,821 | $13,975 |
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 Rio Grande Valley College, approximately 48% 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.