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Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

18 Schools Ranked
$90,090 Avg Student Debt

With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

The Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor's Degree 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 18 schools in the Southwest Region to see which online doctor's degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from schools with online programs.

Learn more about these popular schools with online programs:

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
781 Total Awards
$11,638 Average Tuition & Fees
$66,100 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the most popular school in the Southwest Region for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 781 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $66,100 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Grand Canyon University Report

311 Total Awards
$10,853 Average Tuition & Fees
$48,687 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you attend The University of Texas at Arlington. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Arlington, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 311 students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $48,687 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#3

Aspen University

Phoenix, Arizona
87 Total Awards
$4,500 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Aspen University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Aspen University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 87 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Aspen University are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#4

Midwestern University - Glendale

Glendale, Arizona
842 Total Awards
$51,005 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at Midwestern University - Glendale helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Midwestern University - Glendale is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Glendale, Arizona. It awarded 842 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Around 2% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Midwestern University - Glendale

102 Total Awards
$60,637 Avg Student Debt

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at Abilene Christian University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Abilene Christian is located in Abilene, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 102 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from Abilene Christian accumulate an average of $60,637 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 81% were women.

Around 77% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Abilene Christian University

127 Total Awards
$6,192 Average Tuition & Fees
$43,775 Avg Student Debt

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, the fairly large public school awarded 127 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $43,775 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

182 Total Awards
$81,321 Avg Student Debt

University of Phoenix - Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 182 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $81,321 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full University of Phoenix - Arizona Report

#8

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
222 Total Awards
$7,706 Average Tuition & Fees
$72,375 Avg Student Debt

Texas Woman’s University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 222 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $72,375 in student loans. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 82% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Texas Woman’s University Report

#9

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
49 Total Awards
$7,179 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a fairly large public school situated in Corpus Christi, Texas. It awarded 49 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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

#9

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
120 Total Awards
$33,708 Average Tuition & Fees
$99,078 Avg Student Debt

Texas Christian University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. TCU is located in Fort Worth, Texas and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 120 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $99,078 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 21% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Texas Christian University

11 Total Awards
$5,320 Average Tuition & Fees

Northwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. NWOSU is located in Alva, Oklahoma and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 11 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

96 Total Awards
$8,140 Average Tuition & Fees
$40,191 Avg Student Debt

The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Tyler, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 96 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $40,191 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.

To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 80% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full The University of Texas at Tyler Report

454 Total Awards
$7,495 Average Tuition & Fees
$129,867 Avg Student Debt

University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 454 students in 2021-2022.

Doctor’s Degree recipients from UOHSC accumulate an average of $129,867 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 45% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center

#14

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
228 Total Awards
$11,946 Average Tuition & Fees
$64,515 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #14, Northern Arizona University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 228 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $64,515 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Around 54% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Northern Arizona University

#15

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas
360 Total Awards
$19,970 Average Tuition & Fees
$164,309 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, University of the Incarnate Word did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. UIW is a private not-for-profit institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 360 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $164,309 in student loans. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

In 2020-2021 about 40% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of the Incarnate Word Report

#15

West Coast University - Dallas

Richardson, Texas
2 Total Awards
$12,463 Average Tuition & Fees

West Coast University - Dallas ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

Around 100% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at West Coast University - Dallas are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read More…

#15

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa, Oklahoma
9 Total Awards
$12,980 Average Tuition & Fees
$60,501 Avg Student Debt

Oral Roberts University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 9 doctor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their doctor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $60,501 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.

During the 2020-2021 year, about 30% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Oral Roberts University Report

#15

University of St. Thomas

Houston, Texas
48 Total Awards
$21,634 Average Tuition & Fees
$66,966 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, University of St. Thomas did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. University of St. Thomas is a small private not-for-profit school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 48 doctor’s degrees in 2021-2022.

On average, doctor’s degree students take out $66,966 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of St. Thomas Report

View Most Popular Online Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 18 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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