Trade School Review: The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP)
January 4, 2026
The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) is frequently considered by students who want a direct, healthcare-focused pathway into the workforce without spending four or more years in a traditional college setting. In Texas, where healthcare workforce shortages remain persistent, institutions like CHCP play a visible role in training allied health professionals, technicians, and nurses.
This guide takes a data-rich, practical look at The College of Health Care Professions: its history, campus footprint, programs, outcomes, costs, and student population. The goal is not hype, but clarity—so prospective students can decide whether CHCP aligns with their career goals, learning style, and financial situation.
What Is The College of Health Care Professions?
The College of Health Care Professions was founded more than 35 years ago by physicians within the MacGregor Medical Association in the Texas Medical Center. From its earliest days, CHCP was designed to serve working adults and nontraditional students seeking healthcare credentials tied directly to employment.
Over time, CHCP has grown into one of the largest providers of allied healthcare education in Texas, with more than 40,000 alumni. The institution focuses almost exclusively on healthcare roles, ranging from entry-level certificates to associate degrees and limited bachelor-level nursing pathways.
CHCP Campuses and Geographic Reach
CHCP operates approximately 10 campuses across Texas, including locations in Houston (multiple campuses), Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, McAllen, and other metro areas. In addition to on-campus instruction, CHCP offers online, blended, and hybrid learning formats depending on program type.
CHCP reported graduating roughly 6,000 students in calendar year 2024 alone, with graduates hired by more than 2,300 different employers across the state. Campuses are designed as commuter schools, and students are expected to manage their own transportation and housing.
Programs Offered at The College of Health Care Professions
CHCP offers a broad portfolio of healthcare-focused programs aligned with certification, licensure, and technician roles.
Allied Health and Clinical Programs
Programs include Medical Assistant, Dental Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy Technician, Patient Care Technician, Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist, Rehabilitation Therapy Technician, Surgical Technology, Ophthalmic Assistant, and Emergency Medical Technician.
Diagnostic Imaging and Sonography
CHCP is well known for diagnostic imaging programs, including Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiac Sonography, and Echocardiography. These programs are among the more selective offerings and require substantial lab and clinical hours.
Nursing Programs
CHCP offers Vocational Nursing and an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (LVN-to-ADN) pathway. These programs are designed to prepare students for NCLEX licensure and registered nursing roles within Texas healthcare systems.
Administrative and Coding Programs
Medical Coding & Billing and Healthcare Administration programs prepare students for non-clinical roles in medical offices, billing departments, and healthcare organizations.
Short-Term, Stackable Program Model
A defining feature of CHCP’s educational approach is its emphasis on short-term, stackable credentials. Many students begin with a certificate program that leads directly to employment, then return later to complete an associate degree while working in the field.
This ‘learn-and-earn’ model allows students to enter healthcare jobs sooner while continuing their education over time, a structure that is particularly attractive to adult learners balancing work, family, and school.
Accreditation and Institutional Oversight
The College of Health Care Professions is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), a national accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ABHES accreditation enables access to federal Title IV financial aid and sets outcome benchmarks for retention, graduation, and job placement.
In addition, many CHCP programs meet state licensure requirements and prepare students for industry-recognized certification exams.
Student Demographics and Learning Environment
CHCP primarily serves working adult learners. According to institutional data, approximately 72 percent of students are age 22 or older, and about 42 percent are parents. Roughly 40 percent are first-generation college students, and more than 90 percent come from households in the bottom 60 percent of income distribution.
The student population is also highly diverse, with a majority identifying as Hispanic/Latino and substantial Black/African American representation. Many students have previously attempted college before enrolling at CHCP.
Retention, Graduation, and Job Placement Outcomes
CHCP reports an aggregated campus retention rate of approximately 81 percent using ABHES methodology, which includes graduates and students still enrolled during the reporting period. The institution also reports an overall job placement rate of approximately 84 percent across programs.
Impact studies conducted in partnership with Rice University indicate strong outcomes for Hispanic students, including a reported 78 percent graduation rate and 80 percent job placement rate. For both certificate and associate degree graduates, post-graduation earnings for Hispanic learners were reported to be approximately three times pre-enrollment earnings.
Employer Engagement and Career Services
Career services are integrated into CHCP’s programs rather than treated as a separate office. All clinical programs include externships, and employers are involved in curriculum development to ensure alignment with workforce needs.
Graduates find employment in hospitals, outpatient clinics, imaging centers, long-term care facilities, physician offices, and healthcare systems such as HCA Healthcare, Baylor Scott & White, Memorial Hermann, Ascension, Methodist Health, and Texas Children’s Hospital.
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid
CHCP is a private, tuition-charging institution, and costs vary by program. While healthcare programs can be more expensive than community college options, they are typically shorter and more structured.
Most students rely on financial aid. CHCP participates in federal Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and other Title IV programs. The institution also works with workforce funding sources and employer partnerships to reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible students.
Student Support and Wellness Services
CHCP places heavy emphasis on student support. Services include academic advising, tutoring, wellness check-ins, and access to an external student assistance program that connects learners to childcare resources, wellness coaching, and legal services.
This level of support is designed to improve persistence and completion among students with complex life responsibilities.
Who Should Consider The College of Health Care Professions?
CHCP may be a strong fit for students who:
- Want healthcare-specific training
• Prefer short, structured programs
• Are working adults or parents
• Value employer-aligned education
• Want stackable credentials leading to advancement
CHCP may be less ideal for students seeking traditional campus life, broad liberal arts education, or guaranteed credit transfer to four-year universities.
Final Takeaway: Is CHCP Worth It?
The College of Health Care Professions occupies a clear role in Texas’s healthcare education ecosystem. It is not designed to replace a traditional university, but to prepare adult learners for healthcare roles efficiently and at scale.
For students who complete their programs, earn certifications or licensure, and enter in-demand healthcare jobs, CHCP can provide a practical pathway to economic mobility. As with any career college, prospective students should compare outcomes, costs, and funding options—including scholarships—before enrolling.
