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.
Featured schools near , edit
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. South Texas College is a large public school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 3,702 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
One thing to take note of is that South Texas College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 58% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Central Arizona College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small public school is located in Coolidge, Arizona, and it awarded 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,534 in student loans.
Pinal County Community 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northeast Texas Community College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. NTCC is located in Mount Pleasant, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 408 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NTCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,449. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,117 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that NTCC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 65% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at El Centro College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . El Centro College is a large public school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 7,626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from El Centro College accumulate an average of $15,059 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 El Centro College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Weatherford College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Weatherford, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 741 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $6,300 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,610. Associate Degree recipients from Weatherford College accumulate an average of $11,867 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Weatherford College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 33% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lone Star College System landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in The Woodlands, Texas, the large public school awarded 8,774 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,735 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Panola College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Panola College is located in Carthage, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 348 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Panola College is $3,840. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,896.
One thing to take note of is that Panola College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 71% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Amarillo College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,411 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Amarillo College is $3,168. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,704. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,653 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Amarillo 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Austin 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 #9 on the list. Austin Community College District is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4,621 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Austin Community College District. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,590. On average, associate degree students take out $13,045 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Austin Community College District 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. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Del Mar College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,324 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DMC is $4,880. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,990. Associate Degree recipients from DMC accumulate an average of $6,385 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 DMC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 70% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Mohave Community 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 #11 on the list. Kingman, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 387 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,136 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MCC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,996. On average, associate degree students take out $15,774 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MCC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.
Temple College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Temple, Texas, and it awarded 660 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Texas who attend Temple College full time pay an average of $4,656 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,576. Associate Degree recipients from Temple College accumulate an average of $14,725 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Temple College. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Texas State Technical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. TSTC is located in Waco, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,443 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $13,554 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 TSTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #14, San Jacinto Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Pasadena, Texas, the large public school handed out 5,788 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,614 in student loans.
San Jacinto College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Houston Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Houston Community College is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 5,387 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they attend Houston Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,460. Associate Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $19,178 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 Houston Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.
Tarrant County College District came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Tarrant County College is a public institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,819 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,880 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Tarrant County College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 44% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
GateWay Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. GateWay Community College is a small public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 662 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
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. On average, associate degree students take out $9,353 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GateWay Community 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 57% took at least some of their classes online.
Eastern Arizona College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Eastern Arizona College is a public institution located in Thatcher, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 457 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Eastern Arizona College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 24% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Estrella Mountain Community College is located in Avondale, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,208 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Estrella Mountain 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 $10,698 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Estrella Mountain Community College. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Collin County Community College District ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4,361 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Texas who attend Collin County Community College District full time pay an average of $3,514 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,614. Associate Degree recipients from Collin County Community College District accumulate an average of $11,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Collin County Community College District. In 2020-2021 about 40% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Read full report on Collin County Community College District
Scottsdale Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Scottsdale Community College is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 735 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Arizona who attend Scottsdale Community College full time pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,854. Associate Degree recipients from Scottsdale Community College accumulate an average of $9,563 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Scottsdale Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 580 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,804 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Wharton County Junior College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,052. Associate Degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College accumulate an average of $11,556 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Wharton County Junior College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 49% took at least some of their classes online.
Arizona Western College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. AWC is a medium-sized public school situated in Yuma, Arizona. It awarded 864 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since AWC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 71% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
South Plains College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Levelland, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 957 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,473 in tuition and fees if they attend South Plains College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,857. Associate Degree recipients from South Plains College accumulate an average of $16,033 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
South Plains 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. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Laredo College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Laredo College is a medium-sized public school situated in Laredo, Texas. It awarded 1,238 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,500 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Laredo College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,748.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Laredo College. In 2020-2021 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Narrow Schools by State
View Best Associate Degree Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.