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Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

157 Schools Ranked
$41,392 Average Earnings
$21,622 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 Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 157 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Ottawa University - Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona
$48,260 Average Earnings
$31,724 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Ottawa University - Phoenix to be the best school for nursing students in the Southwest Region .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,724 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Ottawa University - Phoenix graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,260 during the early year of their career.

Full Ottawa University - Phoenix Report

#2

Texas Wesleyan University

Fort Worth, Texas
$53,325 Average Earnings
$24,326 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Texas Wesleyan University is a great place for nursing students.

On average, students take out $24,326 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Texas Wesleyan graduates make an average of $53,325 annually.

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#3

Aspen University

Denver, Arizona
$83,891 Average Earnings
$36,338 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Aspen University is a great place for nursing students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,338 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Aspen University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $83,891 during the early year of their career.

Full Aspen University Report

#4

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
$57,177 Average Earnings
$19,847 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Degree recipients from Texas A&M College Station accumulate an average of $19,847 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Texas A&M College Station graduates make an average of $57,177 annually.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Report

#5

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
$54,873 Average Earnings
$21,581 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Texas Christian University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,581 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $664 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, TCU graduates make an average of $54,873 annually.

Read full report on Texas Christian University

$42,445 Average Earnings
$25,544 Avg Student Debt

Texas A & M University - Central Texas came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.

On average, students take out $25,544 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Texas A & M University - Central Texas, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,445 during the early years of their career.

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$53,632 Average Earnings
$20,281 Avg Student Debt

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Degree recipients from UT Austin accumulate an average of $20,281 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $270. During the early years of their career, UT Austin graduates make an average of $53,632 annually.

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#8

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
$48,067 Average Earnings
$25,869 Avg Student Debt

Arizona State University - Skysong landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $25,869 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $304, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from ASU - Skysong, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,067 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Skysong

#9

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
$48,396 Average Earnings
$31,746 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Grand Canyon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of $31,746 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $174. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $48,396 annually.

Full Grand Canyon University Report

#10

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
$35,004 Average Earnings
$16,406 Avg Student Debt

Central Arizona College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of $16,406 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Pinal County Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,004 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Central Arizona College

#11

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
$42,564 Average Earnings
$25,557 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, Sam Houston State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $25,557 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $169, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SHSU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,564 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Sam Houston State University

#12

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
$38,602 Average Earnings
$18,641 Avg Student Debt

Northeast Texas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list.

Degree recipients from NTCC accumulate an average of $18,641 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, NTCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,602 during the early year of their career.

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$48,602 Average Earnings
$23,737 Avg Student Debt

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,737 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $163.After graduating from UT Arlington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,602 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Hallmark University

San Antonio, Texas
$38,381 Average Earnings
$29,470 Avg Student Debt

Hallmark University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,470 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $146, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Hallmark, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,381 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Hallmark University

#15

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
$38,417 Average Earnings
$18,288 Avg Student Debt

El Centro College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

On average, students take out $18,288 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, El Centro College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,417 during the early year of their career.

Full El Centro College Report

$47,215 Average Earnings
$23,108 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from OSU accumulate an average of $23,108 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $339. During the early years of their career, OSU graduates make an average of $47,215 annually.

Read More…

#17

Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, Texas
$44,006 Average Earnings
$29,138 Avg Student Debt

Lubbock Christian University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,138 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $102, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, LCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,006 during the early year of their career.

Full Lubbock Christian University Report

#18

University of Central Oklahoma

Edmond, Oklahoma
$39,113 Average Earnings
$25,293 Avg Student Debt

University of Central Oklahoma ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list.

On average, students take out $25,293 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $173. Once they receive their degree, UCO graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,113 during the early year of their career.

Full University of Central Oklahoma Report

#19

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
$41,444 Average Earnings
$25,435 Avg Student Debt

Northeastern State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,435 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,444 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Northeastern State University

$49,374 Average Earnings
$24,436 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #20, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $24,436 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $329. During the early years of their career, ASU - Tempe graduates make an average of $49,374 annually.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

#21

Weatherford College

Weatherford, Texas
$40,099 Average Earnings
$14,100 Avg Student Debt

Weatherford College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Weatherford College accumulate an average of $14,100 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Weatherford College graduates make an average of $40,099 annually.

Read full report on Weatherford College

#22

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
$36,839 Average Earnings
$14,481 Avg Student Debt

Lone Star College System came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.

Degree recipients from North Harris Montgomery accumulate an average of $14,481 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Harris Montgomery graduates make an average of $36,839 annually.

Full Lone Star College System Report

#23

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
$29,327 Average Earnings
$8,601 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #23, South Texas College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from South Texas College accumulate an average of $8,601 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, South Texas College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $29,327 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on South Texas College

#24

Oklahoma Panhandle State University

Goodwell, Oklahoma
$39,249 Average Earnings
$21,002 Avg Student Debt

Oklahoma Panhandle State University landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from OPSU accumulate an average of $21,002 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, OPSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,249 during the early year of their career.

Read More…

#25

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
$42,980 Average Earnings
$23,143 Avg Student Debt

Baylor University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,143 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $686, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Baylor graduates make an average of $42,980 annually.

Read More…

View Best Nursing Schools Nationwide >

Honorable Mentions

These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:

Rank School Location
26 Panola College Carthage, TX
27 Amarillo College Amarillo, TX
28 Oklahoma Christian University Edmond, OK
29 University of Houston Houston, TX
30 Texas A&M International University Laredo, TX
31 Eastern New Mexico University - Main Campus Portales, NM
32 East Central University Ada, OK

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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