Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Texarkana College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
Texarkana College's nursing program produces reliable employment outcomes but lags behind what many Texas community colleges deliver. Graduates earn $65,308 in their first year—about $6,000 below the Texas median for associate nursing programs and landing in the 40th percentile statewide. That gap matters because several comparable Texas community colleges, like Paris Junior College and Weatherford College, help their nursing grads earn $13,000-$14,000 more annually while keeping debt levels similar.
The financial structure itself is solid: at $15,200 in median debt, graduates face manageable payments relative to their nursing salaries, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23. This beats the national debt median for nursing programs and means most graduates can realistically handle repayment. The program also shows slight earnings growth to $67,285 by year four, suggesting stable career trajectories even if not spectacular advancement.
For families weighing options, the key question is geographic: if your student plans to stay in the Texarkana area where these connections matter most, the lower debt and reasonable starting salary make sense. But if they're flexible on location, Texas offers numerous community college nursing programs with similar completion requirements that lead to significantly stronger earnings outcomes. The program works, but it's not among Texas's strongest nursing pathways.
Where Texarkana 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 Texarkana College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Texarkana College graduates earn $65k, placing them in the 31th percentile of all registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texarkana College | $65,308 | $67,285 | $15,200 | 0.23 |
| 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 Texarkana College, approximately 28% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 79 graduates with reported earnings and 93 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.