Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants at Wharton County Junior College

With only around 20-30 graduates tracked, Wharton County Junior College's practical nursing program shows solid fundamentals but lacks the graduate volume to inspire full confidence. The $48,326 first-year earnings beat both the Texas median ($46,004) and national median ($44,134), placing graduates around the 60th percentile statewide. More importantly, the $9,985 in typical debt is roughly a third lower than what students at other Texas programs carry—you're looking at debt that equals just two months of earnings.

The main question mark here is whether these outcomes hold up across larger cohorts. The program performs respectably but falls well short of what top Texas programs deliver—Alvin Community College's graduates earn $64,976, and several other programs clear $54,000. That said, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 is excellent for any healthcare credential, and practical nursing programs generally offer stable employment prospects.

For families prioritizing affordability and local training, this works as a low-risk option to enter nursing quickly. Just recognize you're betting on limited data, and graduates elsewhere in Texas are accessing significantly higher starting wages with similar credentials.