Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Texas Southmost College

Texas nursing associate degree programs typically generate strong first-year earnings—and based on similar programs statewide, this one appears to track right at the state median of around $71,500. That's solid positioning for a two-year credential, especially when comparable programs across Texas show fairly consistent outcomes in the low-to-mid-$70,000 range. The estimated debt load of roughly $17,300 sits below both the state and national medians for nursing programs, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24—meaning graduates would theoretically owe less than three months of their first-year salary.

What's encouraging is the stability: four-year earnings remain essentially flat at about $72,000, suggesting these positions offer immediate earning power rather than steep growth curves. For parents evaluating return on investment, a two-year program that delivers near-immediate income at this level, with manageable debt, represents a practical pathway—particularly in a region where the cost of living is relatively low.

The uncertainty here is that these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than Texas Southmost's actual graduate outcomes. Some Texas schools with reported data push nursing associate grads into the high $70,000s or even low $90,000s in their first year, while others cluster closer to this estimate. Without knowing where Texas Southmost falls in that range, parents should verify post-graduation employment rates and local hiring partnerships before committing.