2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas
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.
The Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 48 schools in Texas to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences 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 Texas
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named South Texas College the best school in Texas 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. Associate Degree recipients from South Texas College accumulate an average of $8,401 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Texas College. In 2019-2020 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Northeast Texas Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NTCC. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
NTCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Out of the 48 schools in Texas that were part of this year’s ranking, El Centro College landed the # 3 spot on the list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,961 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at El Centro College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Weatherford College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list.
Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,800. On average, associate degree students take out $16,268 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Weatherford College. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Lone Star College System. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Harris Montgomery is $4,848. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $15,481 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 72% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Panola 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 #6 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Panola College is $3,672. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,680.
Panola College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #7, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Texas who attend Amarillo College full time pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,704. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,641 in student loans.
Amarillo College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 57% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Austin Community College District ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list.
Students from Texas who attend Austin Community College District full time pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,590. Associate Degree recipients from Austin Community College District accumulate an average of $16,220 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Austin Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Del Mar College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DMC is $4,820. 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at DMC. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Temple 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 #10 on the list.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,512 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Temple College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,432. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,360 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Temple College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Texas State Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list.
Associate Degree recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $16,405 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
TSTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #12, San Jacinto Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,960 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at San Jacinto College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 95% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Houston 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 #13 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Houston Community College is $4,344. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,460. Associate Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $23,597 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Houston 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 88% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, Tarrant County College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Tarrant County College accumulate an average of $17,198 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Tarrant County College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #15, Collin County Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,094 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Collin County Community College District. 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.
Collin County 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 fact, around 95% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Read full report on Collin County Community College District
Wharton County Junior College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Texas who attend Wharton County Junior College full time pay an average of $3,624 in tuition and fees. 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.
Wharton County Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
South Plains College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Plains College is $3,892. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,276. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,112 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at South Plains College. In fact, around 65% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Laredo College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,500 in tuition and fees if they attend Laredo College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,748. On average, associate degree students take out $7,314 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Laredo College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #19, Vernon College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,680 in tuition and fees if they attend Vernon Regional Junior College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,120. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,483 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Vernon Regional Junior College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
San Antonio 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 #20 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at San Antonio College is $6,592. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $14,122. On average, associate degree students take out $16,504 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since San Antonio College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #21, Tyler Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Tyler Junior College is $3,864. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,440. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,044 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tyler Junior College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ranger 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 #22 on the list.
Students from Texas who attend Ranger College full time pay an average of $5,750 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,400. Associate Degree recipients from Ranger College accumulate an average of $17,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ranger College. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #23, Navarro College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Navarro College is $4,508. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,368. On average, associate degree students take out $19,157 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Navarro College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
Galveston College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $2,950 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Galveston College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,200. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,605 in student loans.
Galveston 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 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
College of the Mainland came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at COM is $2,973. Out-of-state students pay an average of $3,873. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,500 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that COM does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 77% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
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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.