Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana

Nursing programs in Arkansas cluster tightly around $67,000-$70,000 in first-year earnings, and this program's estimated outcomes sit right at that state median. Based on comparable nursing programs at similar Arkansas institutions, graduates here likely face around $17,000 in debt—nearly $4,000 less than the state median for this credential and well below the $21,000 national benchmark. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 suggests manageable repayment, particularly given nursing's stable employment prospects.

The challenge is that several Arkansas community colleges produce measurably stronger outcomes. Phillips Community College grads earn $78,000 their first year—that's $11,000 more annually than what peer programs at UA Hope-Texarkana suggest. Arkansas State-Newport and ASU-Main also show significantly higher earnings. These gaps could reflect different clinical partnerships, program reputations with local health systems, or graduate placement success rates that matter in nursing markets.

For families weighing options, the lower estimated debt here partially offsets the earnings gap, but not entirely. If your student has admission offers from multiple Arkansas nursing programs, comparing actual placement rates and clinical site quality matters more than estimated figures can reveal. This program serves a substantial Pell-eligible population and likely provides crucial local access to nursing credentials, but the data suggests shopping around may pay off if geography permits.