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

Texas State's nursing program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—40th percentile among Texas nursing programs—but comes with a concerning pattern. First-year nurses earn $72,861, which sits below both the state median ($76,677) and national average ($74,888). More troubling: earnings drop to $66,444 by year four, a 9% decline that suggests graduates may struggle with career advancement or are leaving bedside nursing without moving into higher-paying specialties.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $23,250, graduates carry meaningfully less than the state median ($25,697), creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32. However, when comparable programs like Austin Community College produce $88,000 earners at likely lower cost, or University of Houston-Clear Lake graduates start at $93,000, the opportunity cost becomes clear. Even accounting for Texas State's accessibility (89% admission rate, serving 36% Pell-eligible students), the combination of below-average starting salaries and declining earnings over time raises questions about program quality or clinical placement strength.

For parents weighing options, this program provides an entry point into nursing without crushing debt, but shouldn't be mistaken for a strong return on investment. If your student has options at Houston-area programs or community colleges with established hospital partnerships, those pathways deserve serious consideration. Texas State works if location or admission certainty matters most, but this isn't where Texas's best nursing outcomes are happening.