Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

UTMB's nursing program stands out for delivering strong starting salaries with remarkably low debt, though graduates face an unusual earnings dip by their fourth year. New nurses earn $80,433 initially—well above both national ($74,888) and Texas ($76,677) medians—while graduating with just $20,500 in debt compared to the national average of $27,000.

The program ranks in the 73rd percentile nationally and 60th percentile among Texas nursing programs, placing it solidly in the upper tier but not quite elite territory within the state. What's concerning is the 3% earnings decline by year four, dropping to $77,678, which runs counter to typical career progression. This pattern suggests either job market challenges specific to UTMB graduates or career paths that plateau quickly, though starting salaries remain competitive even after this decline.

The exceptionally low debt load creates a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.25, meaning graduates can manage payments easily regardless of the earnings trajectory. For parents, this represents a financially safe choice that positions graduates well in the Texas nursing market without the debt burden that plagues many programs. The temporary earnings dip shouldn't overshadow the program's core strength: preparing nurses who can start strong and carry minimal financial risk.