Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Southwest Texas College

Southwest Texas College's nursing assistant program shows an unusual earnings trajectory that demands careful attention. First-year graduates earn just $26,691—landing in the bottom 10% among Texas nursing programs and well below the state median of $46,004. However, by year four, earnings jump to $49,454, essentially matching the state average. This 85% growth rate suggests graduates may start in lower-paying or part-time positions before transitioning into better roles, but that initial year could be financially precarious for recent graduates still managing expenses.

The debt picture offers some relief: at $9,377, it's notably lower than both state and national medians, making that difficult first year more manageable. Still, with top Texas programs like Alvin Community College producing graduates who earn $65,000 right out of the gate, the delayed earnings here represent a real opportunity cost. Students comfortable with a slower financial ramp-up will appreciate the eventual convergence to typical nursing assistant salaries, but families needing immediate post-graduation income should weigh whether that 1-2 year gap creates unacceptable financial strain. The low debt helps, but it doesn't eliminate the challenge of living on $27,000 in your first year out.