2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
Today's nursing students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This report analyzed 88 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named South Texas College the best school in the Southwest Region for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Texas College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,920. On average, associate degree students take out $8,401 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since South Texas College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 88 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Central Arizona College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
Associate Degree recipients from Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of $15,315 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Pinal County Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Northeast Texas Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Texas who attend NTCC full time pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,449. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,637 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NTCC does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend El Centro College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
On average, associate degree students take out $18,961 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at El Centro College. In 2019-2020 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Weatherford College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region .
Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,800. Associate Degree recipients from Weatherford College accumulate an average of $16,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Weatherford College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.
Lone Star College System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #6 on the list.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,848 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend North Harris Montgomery. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,168. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,481 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that North Harris Montgomery does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Panola College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
In-state students pay an average of $3,672 in tuition and fees if they attend Panola College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,680.
Online courses are available at Panola College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Amarillo College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees if they attend Amarillo College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,704. On average, associate degree students take out $18,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Amarillo College. In fact, around 57% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Austin Community College District came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Community College District is $8,580. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,590. On average, associate degree students take out $16,220 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Austin Community College District does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Del Mar College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Students from Texas who attend DMC full time pay an average of $4,820 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,930. Associate Degree recipients from DMC accumulate an average of $10,513 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at DMC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mohave Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
Students from Arizona who attend MCC full time pay an average of $2,136 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,996. On average, associate degree students take out $18,541 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Since MCC is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Temple College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Texas who attend Temple College full time pay an average of $4,512 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,432. On average, associate degree students take out $18,360 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Temple College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Texas State Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,405 in student loans.
TSTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
San Jacinto Community College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,960 in student loans.
San Jacinto College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Houston Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Houston Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,460. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,597 in student loans.
Houston Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Tarrant County College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #16 on the list.
On average, associate degree students take out $17,198 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Tarrant County College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 97% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
GateWay Community College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GateWay Community College is $2,070. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from GateWay Community College accumulate an average of $20,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that GateWay Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #18, Eastern Arizona College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College accumulate an average of $9,270 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Eastern Arizona College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 29% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend Estrella Mountain Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $24,315 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Estrella Mountain Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
Collin County Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,094 in tuition and fees if they attend Collin County Community College District full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,104. Associate Degree recipients from Collin County Community College District accumulate an average of $17,379 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Scottsdale Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Scottsdale Community College is $2,070. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. On average, associate degree students take out $16,639 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Scottsdale Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 71% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wharton County Junior College is $3,624. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,872. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,328 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Wharton County Junior College. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Arizona Western College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
On average, associate degree students take out $8,308 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at AWC. In 2019-2020 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Plains College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,892 in tuition and fees if they attend South Plains College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,276. Associate Degree recipients from South Plains College accumulate an average of $16,112 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that South Plains College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Laredo College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,500 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Laredo College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,748. Associate Degree recipients from Laredo College accumulate an average of $7,314 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Laredo College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 78% took at least some of their classes online.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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