Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at The Chicago School-College of Nursing

Graduates from this program start strong at $76,643—well above both the national and Texas medians for associate-level nursing—but see their earnings drop 15% by year four to $65,148. That's an unusual trajectory in nursing, where earnings typically grow as nurses gain experience and specialty certifications. Something about this program's placement patterns or career paths may be steering graduates away from the higher-earning opportunities that characterize Texas nursing.

The debt picture adds to the concern. At $35,353, graduates carry nearly double the Texas median debt ($18,000) and 70% more than the national average for this degree. While the initial debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 looks manageable, that calculation becomes less favorable as earnings decline. Compare this to top Texas programs like El Paso Community College or Weatherford College, where graduates earn similar amounts with half the debt burden.

For an anxious parent weighing this program, the question is whether there's a justification for paying premium tuition when Texas offers 64 nursing programs—many at community colleges with significantly lower costs and comparable or better outcomes. With 59% of students here receiving Pell grants, many families are financing this expensive option. Unless there are specific credential or transfer advantages not reflected in the earnings data, the state's community college nursing programs offer a more straightforward path to the same career at substantially lower cost.