Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at San Antonio College

San Antonio College's nursing program sits squarely in the middle of Texas's competitive landscape—40th percentile statewide—while delivering better debt outcomes than most alternatives. With first-year earnings of $67,684, graduates earn about $4,000 less than the typical Texas nursing graduate but $17,000 more than they would at the state's bottom-performing programs. The debt picture is actually the stronger part of the story here: at $17,338, graduates borrow slightly less than both state and national medians, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26.

The program's positioning becomes clearer when you consider access. Serving a student body where 34% receive Pell grants, San Antonio College provides a reliable pathway into nursing without the financial risk of pricier programs. While top performers like The College of Health Care Professions generate $24,000 more in first-year earnings, they often come with higher costs and more competitive admissions. Four-year earnings growth to $72,052 shows steady progression, even if it doesn't match the trajectory of elite programs.

For families prioritizing debt minimization and reasonable certainty of employment, this represents a solid middle-ground option. The earnings won't top state rankings, but they're sufficient to build a stable career while retiring debt quickly. It's the nursing program equivalent of getting what you pay for—no more, no less.