Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Houston-Clear Lake

This program launches students into the top tier of nursing salaries nationally, with first-year earnings of $93,001—a figure that ranks in the 95th percentile compared to other nursing bachelor's programs across the country. That's nearly $20,000 above the national median for nursing grads. While debt data for this specific program isn't available, comparable nursing programs in Texas typically carry about $24,400 in student loans at graduation, creating a highly manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26.

What's interesting is that despite ranking among the nation's best earners, this program sits at the 60th percentile within Texas—a reflection of how strong nursing salaries are across the state. Still, the earnings here match or exceed what graduates from programs at West Coast University-Texas and Baptist Health System earn, suggesting this program delivers results competitive with Texas's top-performing nursing schools. The Houston medical market clearly values these credentials.

For a program serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (44%), these outcomes represent exceptional value. Even with estimated debt around $24,400, graduates would be earning nearly four times that amount in their first year—a strong financial position that should allow rapid loan repayment while building a stable career in one of the most recession-proof fields available.