Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's nursing program starts strong with first-year earnings of $76,167—slightly above the national median—but here's the catch: by year four, graduates are earning 7% less, dropping to $70,919. Among Texas's 73 nursing programs, this lands at the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of in-state options produce better-paid nurses. With top Texas programs like West Coast University and University of Houston-Clear Lake generating earnings in the low-$90,000s, UMHB's outcomes lag behind the state's stronger performers by nearly $20,000.

The debt picture offers modest relief. At $28,656, it's manageable—slightly above the Texas median but reasonable given first-year earnings (0.38 debt-to-earnings ratio). However, that declining earnings trajectory raises questions about career advancement or the types of nursing roles graduates secure long-term. Whether this reflects limited progression into higher-paying specialties or regional market constraints, the downward trend is unusual for a field that typically rewards experience.

For Texas families, this program delivers baseline nursing credentials at accessible debt levels, but it's middling performance in a state with genuinely excellent nursing programs. If your child has options among Texas's better-ranked schools—particularly public universities or programs with stronger four-year outcomes—those deserve serious consideration before committing here.