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Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

16 Schools Ranked
$20,380 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$21,034 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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 16 schools in the Southwest Region to see which graduate certificate programs offered the best value experiences for nursing students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
76 Total Awards
$11,538 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the best value school in the Southwest Region for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 76 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Grand Canyon University graduate students pay an average of $11,538 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Grand Canyon University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Grand Canyon University did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read More…

#2

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
1 Total Awards
$14,590 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 16 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s value ranking, Angelo State University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in San Angelo, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at Angelo State are $14,590 a year.

One thing to take note of is that Angelo State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Angelo State University

60 Total Awards
$15,677 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent graduate certificate programs at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in the Southwest Region . UT Rio Grande Valley is located in Edinburg, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 60 graduate certificates to qualified students.

UT Rio Grande Valley graduate students pay an average of $15,677 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UT Rio Grande Valley. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#4

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
1 Total Awards
$24,106 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in College Station, Texas, the large public school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Texas A&M College Station are $24,106 per year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Texas A&M College Station. In 2019-2020 about 23% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #1 spot in our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region rankings.

Read full report on Texas A&M University - College Station

#5

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
17 Total Awards
$15,048 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Texas Woman’s University is a great place for nursing students working on their graduate certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Denton, Texas, the fairly large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at TWU are $15,048 a year.

TWU does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 88% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Texas Woman’s University Report

4 Total Awards
$22,944 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

UT Austin graduate students pay an average of $22,944 in tuition and fees each year.

Online graduate courses are available at UT Austin, 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, 66% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also made our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list, coming in at #5.

Read full report on The University of Texas at Austin

93 Total Awards
$24,005 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, the large public school awarded 93 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UT Arlington are $24,005 a year.

One thing to take note of is that UT Arlington does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

UT Arlington did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Read More…

#8

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
7 Total Awards
$20,125 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

NAU graduate students pay an average of $20,125 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,445 in student loans.

One thing to take note of is that NAU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 54% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northern Arizona University Report

1 Total Awards
$16,153 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 1 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UOPX - Arizona are $16,153 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UOPX - Arizona does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Report

18 Total Awards
$16,621 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Located in El Paso, Texas, the large public school handed out 18 graduate certificate awards in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UTEP are $16,621 a year.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UTEP. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Report

5 Total Awards
$16,786 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value graduate certificate nursing programs. UT Tyler is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UT Tyler are $16,786 a year.

UT Tyler does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 90% took at least some of their classes online.

Full The University of Texas at Tyler Report

#12

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
5 Total Awards
$15,995 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a fairly large public school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 5 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for graduate students at Texas A&M Corpus Christi are $15,995 per year.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. In 2019-2020 about 86% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#13

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
13 Total Awards
$32,268 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Christian University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas Christian University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 13 graduate certificates in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at TCU are $32,268 a year. On average, graduate certificate students take out $19,027 in loans while pursuing their degree.

TCU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.

TCU did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

Full Texas Christian University Report

19 Total Awards
$24,432 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 19 students in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe graduate students pay an average of $24,432 in tuition and fees each year.

ASU - Tempe does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 42% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Report

#15

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
7 Total Awards
$20,487 Average Tuition & Fees

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the large public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at UNM are $20,487 a year.

UNM does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 38% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Report

#16

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
10 Total Awards
$33,644 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Arizona ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 10 students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state graduate students at University of Arizona are $33,644 a year.

University of Arizona does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 37% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Arizona

View Best Value Graduate Certificate Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 16 schools only.

References

  • 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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