Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Texas Lutheran University

Texas Lutheran's nursing program sits in a curious position—delivering lower-than-average earnings while carrying above-average debt. First-year nurses here earn $68,974, falling $8,000 below the Texas median and ranking in just the 40th percentile statewide. That's particularly notable in a state where many nursing programs launch graduates above $88,000 annually. Meanwhile, the $23,528 debt load, though seemingly modest in absolute terms, ranks in the 79th percentile nationally—meaning most comparable programs graduate students with less debt.

The 0.34 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and nursing credentials still open doors to stable employment. But parents should recognize this program underperforms both its Texas competitors and national peers by roughly $6,000-$8,000 in starting salary. Over a career, that gap compounds significantly. When nearby Austin Community College launches nurses at $88,105 and University of Houston-Clear Lake at $93,001, the comparison becomes hard to ignore.

For families considering Texas Lutheran, the tradeoff is clear: you're paying more debt for below-average outcomes in a strong nursing state. Unless the smaller campus environment or specific program features justify accepting a lower starting salary, Texas offers multiple stronger options for aspiring nurses.