Nursing at Wharton County Junior College

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

with a smaller student body of 4,832 in Wharton, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $78,791 at Wharton County Junior College come in 13% above the national median of $69,474 for Nursing programs.

With a 141.3x 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.

With first-year pay of $78,791 far exceeding the $9,569 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Wharton County Junior College ranks #119 among 947 Nursing programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The limited growth from $78,791 to $79,891 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.

89 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
83
Low End
89
Score
89
High End
Earnings $78,791/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$824K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
141.3x
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)
$5,832
Out-of-state: $11,136
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,569
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,891
1% 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

Nursing opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Nursing Overview

Nursing at Other Schools

Other Majors at Wharton County Junior College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 89/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Nursing at Wharton County Junior College?
This program scores 89/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Nursing nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
What's the AI risk for Nursing graduates from Wharton County Junior College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $824,328 in decade earnings vs $824,328 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Wharton County Junior College?
Median debt of just $9,569 against $78,791/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.
What makes Wharton County Junior College's Nursing program stand out?
Ranked #119 of 947 programs nationally, Wharton County Junior College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Nursing program at Wharton County Junior College?
Beyond Wharton County Junior College's classroom route, 4 registered apprenticeships map to Nursing careers — including Home Health Director. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
How many job openings are there for Nursing graduates?
Job availability for Nursing is strong — 292,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Wharton County Junior College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →