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Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas

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2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas

48 Schools Ranked
$4,712 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$15,910 Avg Student Debt

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.

Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
3,702 Total Awards
$4,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found South Texas College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Texas. Located in McAllen, Texas, the large public school handed out 3,702 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Some students may be able to take online classes at South Texas College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Full South Texas College Report

#2

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
408 Total Awards
$5,009 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,117 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Northeast Texas Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Located in Mount Pleasant, Texas, the small public school awarded 408 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend NTCC full time pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,449. On average, associate degree students take out $15,117 in loans while pursuing their degree.

NTCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#3

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
7,626 Total Awards
$15,059 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means El Centro College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Dallas, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 7,626 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,059 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that El Centro College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on El Centro College

#4

Weatherford College

Weatherford, Texas
741 Total Awards
$6,300 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,867 Avg Student Debt

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. Weatherford College is a public institution located in Weatherford, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 741 associate degrees 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. On average, associate degree students take out $11,867 in loans while pursuing their degree.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Weatherford College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Weatherford College

#5

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
8,774 Total Awards
$11,735 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Lone Star College System is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. North Harris Montgomery is a large public school situated in The Woodlands, Texas. It awarded 8,774 associate degrees 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.

Online courses are available at North Harris Montgomery, 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 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Lone Star College System Report

#6

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
348 Total Awards
$3,840 Average Tuition & Fees

Panola College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Carthage, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 348 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,840 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Panola College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,896.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Panola College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 71% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Panola College

#7

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
1,411 Total Awards
$3,168 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,653 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #7, Amarillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Amarillo College is a public institution located in Amarillo, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,411 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees if they attend Amarillo College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,704. Associate Degree recipients from Amarillo College accumulate an average of $17,653 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Amarillo 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 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Amarillo College Report

4,621 Total Awards
$8,580 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,045 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #8, Austin Community College District did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Austin Community College District is a large public school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 4,621 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Austin Community College District is $8,580. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,590. Associate Degree recipients from Austin Community College District accumulate an average of $13,045 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Austin Community College District. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Austin Community College District

#9

Del Mar College

Corpus Christi, Texas
1,324 Total Awards
$4,880 Average Tuition & Fees
$6,385 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Del Mar College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. DMC is located in Corpus Christi, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,324 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,880 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend DMC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,990. On average, associate degree students take out $6,385 in loans while pursuing 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. 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.

Read full report on Del Mar College

#10

Temple College

Temple, Texas
660 Total Awards
$4,656 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,725 Avg Student Debt

Temple College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas list. Temple, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 660 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,656 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Temple College. Those students who come from outside the state 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.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Temple College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 64% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Temple College Report

1,443 Total Awards
$13,554 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Texas State Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Waco, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,443 students in 2021-2022.

Associate Degree recipients from TSTC accumulate an average of $13,554 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

TSTC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Texas State Technical College

#12

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
5,788 Total Awards
$12,614 Avg Student Debt

San Jacinto Community College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. San Jacinto College is a public institution located in Pasadena, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5,788 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, associate degree students take out $12,614 in loans while pursuing their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at San Jacinto College. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on San Jacinto Community College

#13

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
5,387 Total Awards
$4,344 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,178 Avg Student Debt

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. This large public school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 5,387 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Houston Community College. Out-of-state students 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.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Houston Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 77% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Houston Community College Report

#14

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
5,819 Total Awards
$13,880 Avg Student Debt

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 #14 on the list. Tarrant County College is a large public school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. 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.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Tarrant County College. In 2020-2021 about 44% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Tarrant County College District

4,361 Total Awards
$3,514 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,085 Avg Student Debt

Collin County Community College District landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. McKinney, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 4,361 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,514 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Collin County Community College District. 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.

Online courses are available at Collin County Community College District, 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 40% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Collin County Community College District Report

#16

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
580 Total Awards
$3,804 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,556 Avg Student Debt

Wharton County Junior College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Wharton County Junior College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wharton, Texas. It awarded 580 associate degrees 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. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,052. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,556 in student loans.

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.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

#17

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
957 Total Awards
$4,473 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,033 Avg Student Debt

South Plains College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. South Plains College is located in Levelland, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 957 associate degrees to qualified students.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,473 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Plains College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,857. On average, associate degree students take out $16,033 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that South Plains College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 61% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full South Plains College Report

#18

Laredo College

Laredo, Texas
1,238 Total Awards
$4,500 Average Tuition & Fees

Laredo College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Laredo, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,238 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.

Students from Texas who attend Laredo College full time pay an average of $4,500 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,748.

Depending on your major, you 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.

Full Laredo College Report

#19

Vernon College

Vernon, Texas
306 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,715 Avg Student Debt

Vernon College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Vernon, Texas, the small public school handed out 306 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees if they attend Vernon Regional Junior College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,480. On average, associate degree students take out $12,715 in loans while pursuing their degree.

One thing to take note of is that Vernon Regional Junior College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Vernon College

#20

San Antonio College

San Antonio, Texas
2,828 Total Awards
$6,742 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,105 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. San Antonio, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,828 students in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at San Antonio College is $6,742. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $14,272. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,105 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that San Antonio College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 53% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full San Antonio College Report

#21

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
1,723 Total Awards
$3,864 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,813 Avg Student Debt

Tyler Junior College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Tyler, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 1,723 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $3,864 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tyler Junior College. 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 $13,813 in student loans.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Tyler Junior College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Tyler Junior College

#22

Ranger College

Ranger, Texas
268 Total Awards
$6,250 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,623 Avg Student Debt

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. Ranger College is a small public school located in Ranger, Texas that handed out 268 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $6,250 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ranger College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,350. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,623 in student loans.

Ranger College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 56% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Ranger College Report

#23

Navarro College

Corsicana, Texas
906 Total Awards
$4,508 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,152 Avg Student Debt

Navarro College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Navarro College is a medium-sized public school situated in Corsicana, Texas. It awarded 906 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

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. Associate Degree recipients from Navarro College accumulate an average of $14,152 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Navarro College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Navarro College Report

#24

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
349 Total Awards
$3,266 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,575 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #24, Galveston College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Galveston College is a small public school situated in Galveston, Texas. It awarded 349 associate degrees in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Galveston College is $3,266. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,726. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,575 in student loans.

Online courses are available at Galveston College, 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, 69% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Galveston College

#25

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
583 Total Awards
$2,973 Average Tuition & Fees
$8,690 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, College of the Mainland did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school handed out 583 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $2,973 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend COM. 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 $8,690 in student loans.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at COM. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 41% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

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.

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