Find Nursing Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

181 Colleges
$4,639 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$71,137 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 39,944 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

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 Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 181 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.

2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for nursing majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Best Southwest Region Schools for Affordable Quality in Nursing

$2,280 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found New Mexico Junior College to be the best value school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . New Mexico Junior College is a small public school located in the remote town of Hobbs.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at New Mexico Junior College are $2,280 a year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from New Mexico Junior College carry an average student debtload of $17,000.

Read More…

#2

Aspen University

Denver, CO

The excellent programs at Aspen University helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Aspen University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Aspen University are $5,170 a year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Aspen University take out is $35,922.

Aspen University not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #3 on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Nursing at Aspen University Report

$2,984 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Clovis Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Clovis Community College is a small public school located in the remote town of Clovis.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clovis Community College are $2,984 per year. Nursing majors at Clovis Community College take out an average of $11,473 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#4

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, AZ

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Central Arizona College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Pinal County Community College is a public school with a small student population.

Pinal County Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,160 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of around $15,679 in student debt.

Pinal County Community College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Nursing at Central Arizona College

#5

Panola College

Carthage, TX

The excellent programs at Panola College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a public school with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Panola College are $4,680 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Panola College also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Nursing at Panola College Report

#6

Amarillo College

Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Amarillo College is a medium-sized public school located in the city of Amarillo.

Amarillo College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,704 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Amarillo College accumulate an average of around $21,240 in student debt.

Amarillo College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Nursing at Amarillo College

#7

College of the Mainland

Texas City, TX
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, College of the Mainland did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students. COM is a small public school located in the suburb of Texas City.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at COM are $3,873 a year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from COM carry an average student debtload of $20,290.

Full Nursing at College of the Mainland Report

#8

South Plains College

Levelland, TX
$4,276 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, South Plains College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students. Located in the distant town of Levelland, South Plains College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at South Plains College are $4,276 a year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at South Plains College accumulate an average of around $12,750 in student debt.

Full Nursing at South Plains College Report

$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees

Alvin Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Alvin is a small public school located in the large suburb of Alvin.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Alvin are $4,010 a year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Alvin take out is $15,511.

Read full report on Nursing at Alvin Community College

$4,008 Average Tuition & Fees

New Mexico State University - Carlsbad landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. NMSU Carlsbad is a small public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NMSU Carlsbad are $4,008 a year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at NMSU Carlsbad accumulate an average of around $17,900 in student debt.

Read More…

#11

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, TX
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees

Tyler Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Tyler Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,440 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Tyler Junior College take out is $18,814.

Read More…

#12

Clarendon College

Clarendon, TX
$4,176 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarendon College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Clarendon College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clarendon.

Clarendon College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,176 in tuition and fees each year. On average, nursing graduates from Clarendon College take out $20,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at Clarendon College

#13

Lee College

Baytown, TX
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees

Lee College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in the small city of Baytown, Lee College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Lee College are $4,302 a year. Nursing majors at Lee College take out an average of $14,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees

Wharton County Junior College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the distant town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Wharton County Junior College carry an average student debtload of $14,006.

Read More…

$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jacinto Community College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pasadena, San Jacinto College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at San Jacinto College are $5,040 per year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at San Jacinto College take out is $12,750.

Full Nursing at San Jacinto Community College Report

#16

El Centro College

Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in the large city of Dallas, El Centro College is a public school with a very large student population.

El Centro College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,000 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at El Centro College take out is $18,559.

In addition to its great value ranking, El Centro College is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read full report on Nursing at El Centro College

#17

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, TX

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant, NTCC is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at NTCC are $6,449 a year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at NTCC accumulate an average of around $20,000 in student debt.

NTCC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full Nursing at Northeast Texas Community College Report

#18

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. North Harris Montgomery is a very large public school located in the midsize city of The Woodlands.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 a year. The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at North Harris Montgomery take out is $13,797.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, North Harris Montgomery also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Nursing at Lone Star College System Report

$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees

Collin County Community College District landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Collin County Community College District is a fairly large public school located in the midsize suburb of McKinney.

Collin County Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $5,104 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Collin County Community College District accumulate an average of around $14,970 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Collin County Community College District Report

$5,460 Average Tuition & Fees

Houston Community College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Houston Community College is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Houston.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Houston Community College are $5,460 per year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Houston Community College accumulate an average of around $21,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Houston Community College

#21

Victoria College

Victoria, TX
$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees

Victoria College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Victoria College is a small public school located in the small city of Victoria.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Victoria College are $4,872 a year. Nursing majors at Victoria College take out an average of $18,507 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at Victoria College Report

#22

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. DMC is a large public school located in the large city of Corpus Christi.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at DMC are $5,930 a year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at DMC accumulate an average of around $10,429 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Del Mar College Report

$4,708 Average Tuition & Fees

University of New Mexico - Gallup Campus came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UNM Gallup is a small public school located in the rural area of Gallup.

UNM Gallup undergraduate students pay an average of $4,708 in tuition and fees each year. Nursing majors at UNM Gallup take out an average of $14,796 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#24

Galveston College

Galveston, TX
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees

Galveston College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Galveston College is a small public school located in the town of Galveston.

Galveston College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,200 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, nursing majors at Galveston College accumulate an average of around $17,757 in student debt.

Full Nursing at Galveston College Report

#25

Odessa College

Odessa, TX
$4,398 Average Tuition & Fees

Odessa College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Odessa College is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of Odessa.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Odessa College are $4,398 a year. After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Odessa College carry an average student debtload of $11,875.

Read More…

Rest of the Top Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional great value schools for Nursing students in the Southwest Region seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
28 San Juan College Farmington, NM
29 South Texas College McAllen, TX
30 Laredo College Laredo, TX
30 Temple College Temple, TX
32 El Paso Community College El Paso, TX
33 Howard College Big Spring, TX
34 Angelina College Lufkin, TX
35 Grayson College Denison, TX
36 Weatherford College Weatherford, TX
36 Vernon College Vernon, TX

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

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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.

Featured Schools

Find Nursing Schools Near You

Our free matching tool for schools matches students with nursing schools across the U.S.