Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at The Chicago School-College of Nursing

Among Texas nursing programs, The Chicago School's Richardson campus delivers impressive results, with graduates earning $59,039 in their first year—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and the 80th percentile within Texas. This substantially outpaces both the state median of $46,004 and the national median of $44,134. At $20,324 in student debt, graduates emerge with a remarkably low debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.34, meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in about four months of work.

The program serves a predominantly working-class population (59% receiving Pell grants) and delivers strong immediate outcomes. However, earnings dip to $55,513 by year four—a 6% decline that's unusual in healthcare. This likely reflects Texas's competitive nursing market rather than a program flaw, as even with the decrease, graduates still earn more than most of their peers statewide.

The real question is whether the slightly higher debt load ($20,324 versus the Texas median of $14,535) is worth the earnings premium. The answer appears to be yes: that first-year salary advantage of $13,000 over the state median more than compensates for the additional $6,000 in debt. For families seeking a practical pathway into nursing without committing to a four-year degree, this program delivers solid value despite the moderate debt premium.