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2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

78 Schools Ranked
$5,582 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$21,323 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 78 schools in Texas to see which 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 Schools in Texas

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Lamar State College - Port Arthur

Port Arthur, Texas
114 Total Awards
$7,890 Average Tuition & Fees
$25,248 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Lamar State College - Port Arthur the best value school in Texas for nursing students working on their degree. Lamar State College - Port Arthur is a small public school located in Port Arthur, Texas that handed out 114 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Lamar State College - Port Arthur are $7,890 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,248 in student loans.After graduating from Lamar State College - Port Arthur, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,667 during the early years of their career.

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#2

Amarillo College

Amarillo, Texas
262 Total Awards
$4,704 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Amarillo College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 262 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Amarillo College are $4,704 per year. On average, students take out $17,791 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Amarillo College graduates make an average of $37,621 annually.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Amarillo College also did well on our Best Nursing Schools in Texas list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Read full report on Amarillo College

#3

Galveston College

Galveston, Texas
70 Total Awards
$5,200 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,077 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Galveston College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Galveston College is a small public school located in Galveston, Texas that handed out 70 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Galveston College are $5,200 per year. On average, students take out $17,077 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Galveston College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,840 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Galveston College

#4

San Jacinto Community College

Pasadena, Texas
325 Total Awards
$5,040 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,185 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means San Jacinto Community College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. San Jacinto Community College is a large public school located in Pasadena, Texas that handed out 325 degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jacinto College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,040 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,185 in student loans. During the early years of their career, San Jacinto College graduates make an average of $36,140 annually.

Full San Jacinto Community College Report

154 Total Awards
$5,104 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,379 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Collin County Community College District helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best value nursing schools in Texas. Collin County Community College District is located in McKinney, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 154 degrees to qualified students.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Collin County Community College District are $5,104 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,379 in student loans.After graduating from Collin County Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,890 during the early years of their career.

Full Collin County Community College District Report

#6

Alvin Community College

Alvin, Texas
150 Total Awards
$4,010 Average Tuition & Fees
$12,805 Avg Student Debt

Alvin Community College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. This small public school is located in Alvin, Texas, and it awarded 150 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Alvin are $4,010 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,805 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Alvin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,644 during the early years of their career.

Full Alvin Community College Report

#7

Panola College

Carthage, Texas
67 Total Awards
$4,680 Average Tuition & Fees

Panola College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Located in Carthage, Texas, the small public school awarded 67 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Panola College are $4,680 a year. After graduating from Panola College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,120 during the early years of their career.

Panola College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in Texas list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.

Read full report on Panola College

#8

College of the Mainland

Texas City, Texas
94 Total Awards
$3,873 Average Tuition & Fees
$14,935 Avg Student Debt

College of the Mainland landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Texas City, Texas, the small public school awarded 94 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at COM are $3,873 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,935 in student loans. During the early years of their career, COM graduates make an average of $38,291 annually.

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#9

El Centro College

Dallas, Texas
231 Total Awards
$6,000 Average Tuition & Fees

El Centro College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. El Centro College is located in Dallas, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 231 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Centro College are $6,000 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,288 in student debt by the time they complete 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.

El Centro College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in Texas list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.

Full El Centro College Report

#10

Tarrant County College District

Fort Worth, Texas
320 Total Awards
$8,235 Average Tuition & Fees
$17,851 Avg Student Debt

Tarrant County College District ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, the large public school awarded 320 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Tarrant County College are $8,235 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,851 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Tarrant County College graduates make an average of $38,816 annually.

Read full report on Tarrant County College District

#11

El Paso Community College

El Paso, Texas
349 Total Awards
$5,314 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,989 Avg Student Debt

El Paso Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. El Paso Community College is a large public school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 349 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at El Paso Community College are $5,314 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,989 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, El Paso Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $27,128 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on El Paso Community College

#12

Wharton County Junior College

Wharton, Texas
72 Total Awards
$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,953 Avg Student Debt

Wharton County Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Located in Wharton, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 72 degrees in 2020-2021.

Wharton County Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $11,953 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Wharton County Junior College graduates make an average of $41,858 annually.

Read full report on Wharton County Junior College

132 Total Awards
$13,320 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,769 Avg Student Debt

Lamar State College - Orange did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Orange, Texas, the small public school awarded 132 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lamar State College - Orange are $13,320 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,769 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Lamar State College - Orange, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,929 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Lamar State College - Orange

#14

South Texas College

McAllen, Texas
552 Total Awards
$7,920 Average Tuition & Fees

South Texas College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. South Texas College is located in McAllen, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 552 degrees to qualified students.

South Texas College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,920 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,601 in student loans. 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.

South Texas College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in Texas list.

Full South Texas College Report

#15

Tyler Junior College

Tyler, Texas
366 Total Awards
$4,440 Average Tuition & Fees
$16,583 Avg Student Debt

Tyler Junior College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. Tyler Junior College is a public institution located in Tyler, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 366 degrees in 2020-2021.

Tyler Junior College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,440 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,583 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Tyler Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,511 during the early year of their career.

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#16

Victoria College

Victoria, Texas
110 Total Awards
$4,872 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,005 Avg Student Debt

Victoria College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. This small public school is located in Victoria, Texas, and it awarded 110 degrees in 2020-2021.

Victoria College undergraduate students pay an average of $4,872 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,005 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Victoria College graduates make an average of $46,278 annually.

Read full report on Victoria College

#17

Clarendon College

Clarendon, Texas
61 Total Awards
$4,176 Average Tuition & Fees
$13,937 Avg Student Debt

Clarendon College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Clarendon, Texas, the small public school handed out 61 degrees in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Clarendon College are $4,176 per year. On average, students take out $13,937 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Clarendon College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,756 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Clarendon College

#18

South Plains College

Levelland, Texas
133 Total Awards
$4,276 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,786 Avg Student Debt

South Plains College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Levelland, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 133 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at South Plains College are $4,276 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,786 in student loans.After graduating from South Plains College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,859 during the early years of their career.

Full South Plains College Report

36 Total Awards
$4,948 Average Tuition & Fees
$11,811 Avg Student Debt

The University of Texas at Brownsville came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas ranking. Located in Brownsville, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 36 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

The University of Texas at Brownsville undergraduate students pay an average of $4,948 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $11,811 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from The University of Texas at Brownsville, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,311 during the early years of their career.

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#20

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, Texas
62 Total Awards
$6,449 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Texas Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. NTCC is a public institution located in Mount Pleasant, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 62 degrees in 2020-2021.

NTCC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,449 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,641 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NTCC graduates make an average of $38,602 annually.

NTCC also took the #5 spot in our Best Nursing Schools in Texas rankings.

Full Northeast Texas Community College Report

#21

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, Texas
743 Total Awards
$6,168 Average Tuition & Fees

Lone Star College System ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. North Harris Montgomery is located in The Woodlands, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 743 degrees to qualified students.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Harris Montgomery are $6,168 a year. On average, students take out $14,481 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, North Harris Montgomery graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,839 during the early year of their career.

North Harris Montgomery excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in Texas list.

Read full report on Lone Star College System

#22

Houston Community College

Houston, Texas
191 Total Awards
$5,460 Average Tuition & Fees
$21,482 Avg Student Debt

Houston Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 191 students in 2020-2021.

Houston Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,460 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $21,482 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Houston Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,283 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Houston Community College

#23

Temple College

Temple, Texas
116 Total Awards
$6,432 Average Tuition & Fees
$19,088 Avg Student Debt

Temple College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas list. Located in Temple, Texas, the small public school handed out 116 degrees in 2020-2021.

Temple College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,432 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,088 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Temple College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,785 during the early year of their career.

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#24

Odessa College

Odessa, Texas
115 Total Awards
$4,398 Average Tuition & Fees
$10,879 Avg Student Debt

Odessa College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. Odessa College is a medium-sized public school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 115 degrees in 2020-2021.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Odessa College are $4,398 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,879 in student loans.After graduating from Odessa College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,427 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Odessa College

#25

Lee College

Baytown, Texas
43 Total Awards
$4,302 Average Tuition & Fees
$15,232 Avg Student Debt

Lee College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Baytown, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 43 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Lee College are $4,302 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,232 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Lee College graduates make an average of $53,502 annually.

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Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 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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