Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest

The earnings numbers here look almost too good to be true—and with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, they might be. That said, if these figures hold up, graduates from this Houston program are earning $20,000 more than the typical Texas nursing associate degree holder just one year out, putting them ahead of every community college in the state comparison. That's a meaningful premium for a career-focused credential, especially considering 66% of students receive Pell grants.

The debt load of $41,659 is roughly double what Texas nursing students typically carry, but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46 means graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in about six months of gross earnings. Compare that to the national nursing median where the same debt would take nearly eight months to cover. Still, parents should recognize this is significantly more expensive than community college alternatives that produce similar outcomes—El Paso Community College graduates earn $80,000 with half the debt.

The small sample size is the critical caveat here. These could reflect a few exceptional graduates rather than consistent program outcomes. Before enrolling, verify current graduation rates and job placement data directly with the school, and compare the total cost carefully against nearby community colleges. If the numbers prove reliable and your child needs flexible scheduling or specialized support, the premium might be justified. Otherwise, a community college nursing program offers better financial protection.