Nursing Degree in Arlington, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Arlington, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$64K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.3 yrs
in Arlington
Cost of Living
93.5
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Arlington, TX Overview
Arlington, Texas (pop. 394,266) has 14 colleges offering Nursing programs. The local cost of living index of 93.5 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $795/month. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Arlington is approximately $63,580.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$10,900/yr
Private Tuition
$36,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,627/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,822/yr
Unemployment
3.3%
Graduation Rate
51%
Nursing Salary in Arlington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Arlington's cost of living index of 93.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Arlington adjustment factor: 0.94x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Arlington
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Arlington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,900 | Private avg: $36,000
Arlington avg aid: $14,822/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$102,108
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$30,855
vs HS diploma in Arlington
ROI Payback Period
3.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Arlington
$552,392
Lifetime earnings premium ($654,500) minus total education cost ($102,108)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Arlington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Arlington for Nursing
Arlington State University
public
$11,254/yr
$45,016 total
University of Arlington
public
$12,320/yr
$49,280 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Arlington Community College
$5,331/yr
Texas Technical College - Arlington
$5,252/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Arlington
Arlington offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Arlington Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$78K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$82K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$71K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$73K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$69K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$63K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$56K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Plano, TX
$58K starting · COL 85
9 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Arlington
Pharmacy
$47K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$47K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$47K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$47K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$47K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$47K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Nursing degree outcomes in Arlington, TX: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Nursing programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Texas.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Arlington using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Nursing graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Nursing career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Nursing grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Arlington Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Texas students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — Texas programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "texas higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Nursing Degree in Arlington — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Arlington.