Nursing at Rio Grande Valley College

Pharr, TX · Private for-profit · Certificate · Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing

with a smaller student body of 818 in Pharr, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $45,266/yr fall 35% below the $69,474 national median for Nursing. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

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 11% gap from the optimistic case.

At $13,498 in median debt against $45,266 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #901 of 947 Nursing programs, Rio Grande Valley College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $52,221 are relatively flat compared to the $45,266 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.

68 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
68
Score
68
High End
Earnings $45,266/yr (-35% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (61% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (292,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$534K
3.6% annual growth
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.

Median Debt at Graduation
$13,498
3.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,221
15% 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 Rio Grande Valley College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Nursing at Rio Grande Valley College?
This program scores 68/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Nursing programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
Should I worry about AI if I study Nursing at Rio Grande Valley College?
With 39% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $473,584 in decade earnings vs $534,429 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
How affordable is Nursing at Rio Grande Valley College?
At $13,498 in median debt, Nursing graduates from Rio Grande Valley College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Nursing from Rio Grande Valley College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Can I learn Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Rio Grande Valley College?
The DOL recognizes 4 apprenticeship pathways related to Nursing. For students weighing Rio Grande Valley College's program cost against alternatives, apprenticeships offer zero-tuition entry with paid employment from day one.
What's the job market like for Nursing from Rio Grande Valley College?
At 292,500 annual openings, Nursing has a very large employment base. Rio Grande Valley College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given an aging population and expanding healthcare access.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →