Nursing at Lone Star College System

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

with 47,486 students enrolled in The Woodlands, TX.

Program Analysis

At $77,795 per year, Nursing graduates from Lone Star College System earn slightly above the $69,474 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 141.0x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Nursing programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Nursing's career paths, with 39% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $9,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #117 of 947 nationally, this is a top-5% Nursing program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $86,053 are relatively flat compared to the $77,795 starting salary — typical of trades with stable but capped salary bands.

There are 4 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Nursing, including Home Health Director (median $117,960/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

89 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
89
Score
89
High End
Earnings $77,795/yr (12% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$874K
2.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
141.4x
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)
$6,180
Out-of-state: $17,400
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,000
1.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$86,053
11% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Nursing careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering healthcare.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Lone Star College System

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 89/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Lone Star College System?
At 89/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Lone Star College System?
AI won't eliminate Nursing careers, but it may reshape them. At Lone Star College System, a score of 89/100 already accounts for the 39% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Nursing graduates from Lone Star College System?
Median debt of just $9,000 against $77,795/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Lone Star College System rank so high for Nursing?
The #117 ranking out of 947 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Lone Star College System?
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 Lone Star College System.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Lone Star College System?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Lone Star College System graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →