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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.