Nursing at Central Texas College

Killeen, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

serving 5,985 students in Killeen, TX.

Program Analysis

Central Texas College's Nursing graduates start at $75,319/yr — above the $69,474 national average, though not by a wide margin.

With a 125.1x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Nursing career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,457 in median debt clears fast against $75,319 in annual earnings.

Central Texas College ranks #159 among 947 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $75,319 to $78,335 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

For students considering alternatives, 4 registered apprenticeship programs align with Nursing careers — offering paid training instead of tuition costs.

88 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
82
Low End
88
Score
88
High End
Earnings $75,319/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$788K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
125.1x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
6 of 6
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,300
Out-of-state: $15,000
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,457
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,335
4% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Nurse anesthetists $223,210 +8.6% 83%
Nurse practitioners $129,210 +40.1% 52%
Nurse midwives $128,790 +11.1% 61%
Nurse anesthetists
$223,210
+8.6% growth 83% AI-proof
Nurse practitioners
$129,210
+40.1% growth 52% AI-proof
Nurse midwives
$128,790
+11.1% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 6 career paths with full salary data →

Nursing Career Guide

Explore what Nursing graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 947 programs nationwide.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Central Texas College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 88/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Central Texas College?
At 88/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Central Texas College?
AI exposure of 39% is a real factor. For Central Texas College specifically, the gap between optimistic ($788,003) and pessimistic ($788,003) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Central Texas College?
Median debt of just $9,457 against $75,319/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Central Texas College rank so high for Nursing?
The #159 ranking out of 947 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Central Texas College?
Yes — 4 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Nursing career paths, including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Central Texas College.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Central Texas College?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Central Texas College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →