Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Schreiner University

Schreiner University's nursing certificate program carries debt that's notably higher than typical for this credential in Texas. At $20,909, graduates are borrowing roughly 44% more than the state median of $14,535—and that's for a program where earnings estimates based on comparable programs in Texas suggest first-year pay around $46,000. While that 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't alarming on paper, it means spending an extra $6,000 more than most Texas students in similar programs, money that could matter significantly for new practical nurses building their careers.

The earnings picture adds another layer of uncertainty. Similar nursing programs in Texas vary dramatically—some community colleges produce graduates earning $65,000 or more, while this program's estimated outcomes align with the state median. Without actual graduate data from Schreiner, it's impossible to know whether their students match, exceed, or fall short of that $46,000 benchmark. The program serves a significant population of Pell grant recipients, making the higher-than-typical debt load particularly worth questioning.

For parents, the core issue is straightforward: you're looking at above-average borrowing for a credential where outcomes remain uncertain. Before committing, compare this certificate's actual cost against community college alternatives in Texas that report strong graduate earnings and typically charge less. The difference could mean thousands of dollars less debt for the same nursing license.