2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 42,378 degrees and certificates handed out in 2021-2022.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. Along with traditional schools that require in-person attendence, you can attend one of many reputable online schools. Some programs even offer a hybrid experience. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 181 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges.
Top 25 Top Southwest Region Schools in Nursing
Our analysis found Midwestern University - Glendale to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . Midwestern University - Glendale is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Glendale.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Midwestern University - Glendale carry an average student debtload of $177,880.
The excellent programs at Baylor College of Medicine helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Located in the large city of Houston, Baylor College of Medicine is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Baylor College of Medicine take out is $177,011.
The excellent programs at Ottawa University - Phoenix helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Ottawa University - Phoenix is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Ottawa University - Phoenix accumulate an average of around $19,225 in student debt.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Texas Wesleyan University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the large city of Fort Worth, Texas Wesleyan is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Texas Wesleyan take out is $147,822.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Chamberlain University - Arizona. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Chamberlain - Arizona is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Phoenix.
On average, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Arizona take out $22,213 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at TTUHSC take out is $31,388. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $343, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Full Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Report
With a ranking of #7, Aspen University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Aspen University is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Aspen University carry an average student debtload of $18,138.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UTHealth is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Houston.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UTHealth carry an average student debtload of $38,271. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $214, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Texas A&M College Station take out is $18,420. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $302, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
Chamberlain University - Texas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the city of Houston, Chamberlain - Texas is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Chamberlain - Texas accumulate an average of around $22,213 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $283, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
With a ranking of #11, West Coast University - Dallas did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Richardson, West Coast University - Dallas is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
Nursing majors at West Coast University - Dallas take out an average of $34,858 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $742.
Read full report on Nursing at West Coast University - Dallas
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in the large city of San Antonio, Baptist Health System School of Health Professions is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Baptist Health System School of Health Professions accumulate an average of around $27,734 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $113.
Full Nursing at Baptist Health System School of Health Professions Report
Texas Christian University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Fort Worth, TCU is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at TCU accumulate an average of around $53,500 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $933, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
The University of Texas Medical Branch landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. UTMB Galveston is a small public school located in the town of Galveston.
Nursing majors at UTMB Galveston take out an average of $27,078 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $271.
Read full report on Nursing at The University of Texas Medical Branch
Texas A & M University - Central Texas landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Texas A & M University - Central Texas is a small public school located in the rural area of Killeen.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Texas A & M University - Central Texas accumulate an average of around $12,500 in student debt.
Full Nursing at Texas A & M University - Central Texas Report
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Austin is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Austin.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UT Austin carry an average student debtload of $40,843. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $255, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio.
On average, nursing graduates from Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio take out $30,556 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $133.
Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. ASU - Skysong is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale.
On average, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $21,892 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $300.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. UT Health San Antonio is a small public school located in the large city of San Antonio.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at UT Health San Antonio accumulate an average of around $29,003 in student debt.
South Texas College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Grand Canyon University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from Grand Canyon University take out $30,788 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $249, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
Central Arizona College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Pinal County Community College is a public college with a small student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of around $13,829 in student debt.
Northeast Texas Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, NTCC is a public college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from NTCC carry an average student debtload of $13,000.
Read full report on Nursing at Northeast Texas Community College
Sam Houston State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. SHSU is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at SHSU accumulate an average of around $24,316 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $210, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, UOHSC is a public school with a small student population.
On average, nursing graduates from UOHSC take out $28,958 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $352.
Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Carrington College, Mesquite | Mesquite, TX |
| 29 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX |
| 30 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus | Stillwater, OK |
| 31 | Weatherford College | Weatherford, TX |
| 32 | Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX |
| 33 | Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock, TX |
| 34 | University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond, OK |
| 35 | Northeastern State University | Tahlequah, OK |
| 36 | Arizona State University - Tempe | Tempe, AZ |
Best Nursing Colleges by State
Explore the best nursing schools for a specific state in the Southwest region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 12,966 |
| Texas | 21,862 |
| New Mexico | 1,390 |
| Oklahoma | 3,009 |
Rankings in Majors Related to Nursing
Nursing Concentrations
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | 262,974 |
| Family Practice Nurse/Nursing | 16,647 |
| Nursing Practice | 8,862 |
| Nursing Administration | 8,663 |
| Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4,717 |
| Nursing Science | 4,701 |
| Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,895 |
| Adult Health Nurse/Nursing | 2,075 |
| Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing | 2,011 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | 1,768 |
| Critical Care Nursing | 747 |
| Geriatric Nurse/Nursing | 622 |
| Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery | 567 |
| School Nursing | 539 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 502 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 340 |
| Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing | 269 |
| Women’s Health Nurse/Nursing | 262 |
| Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing | 192 |
| Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing | 87 |
| Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing | 26 |
| Forensic Nursing | 23 |
| Palliative Care Nursing | 13 |
Majors Similar to Nursing
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 85,339 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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