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Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region

29 Schools Ranked
$39,224 Avg Student Debt

With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. 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.

To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 29 schools in the Southwest Region to see which graduate certificate programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

284 Total Awards
$10,853 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found The University of Texas at Arlington to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a graduate certificate in the Southwest Region . This large public school is located in Arlington, Texas, and it awarded 284 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

UT Arlington does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#2

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
440 Total Awards
$11,638 Average Tuition & Fees
$38,699 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 29 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Grand Canyon University landed the # 2 spot on the list. Phoenix, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out graduate certificates to 440 students in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,699 in student loans. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Grand Canyon University, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. 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

52 Total Awards
$8,333 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 29 schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley landed the # 3 spot on the list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 52 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UT Rio Grande Valley. During the 2020-2021 year, about 72% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Report

193 Total Awards
$12,914 Average Tuition & Fees
$51,888 Avg Student Debt

The excellent graduate certificate programs at Arizona State University - Tempe helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 193 students in 2021-2022.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $51,888 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at ASU - Tempe, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 17% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

27 Total Awards
$7,166 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend The University of Texas at El Paso. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in El Paso, Texas, the large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UTEP. In fact, around 49% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Report

#6

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
134 Total Awards
$7,706 Average Tuition & Fees
$36,239 Avg Student Debt

Texas Woman’s University ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. Denton, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 134 students in 2021-2022.

Graduate Certificate recipients from TWU accumulate an average of $36,239 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 97% were women.

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 2020-2021 about 82% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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85 Total Awards
$9,316 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out graduate certificates to 85 students in 2021-2022.

Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at TTUHSC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 57% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
42 Total Awards
$33,708 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Christian University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Fort Worth, Texas, and it awarded 42 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 29% of those degree recipients were women.

TCU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. 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.

Full Texas Christian University Report

#9

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
325 Total Awards
$14,015 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Arizona landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 325 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since University of Arizona does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 41% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Arizona

73 Total Awards
$4,464 Average Tuition & Fees
$121,238 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #10, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a small public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 73 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $121,238 in student loans. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UT Health San Antonio. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 1% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

#11

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
77 Total Awards
$7,363 Average Tuition & Fees

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. University of New Mexico - Main Campus is a large public school located in Albuquerque, New Mexico that handed out 77 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UNM. In fact, around 41% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Report

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
135 Total Awards
$11,946 Average Tuition & Fees
$27,613 Avg Student Debt

Northern Arizona University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the large public school handed out 135 graduate certificate awards in 2021-2022.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $27,613 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at NAU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 54% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

60 Total Awards
$7,495 Average Tuition & Fees
$42,219 Avg Student Debt

University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $42,219 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UOHSC. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Report

#13

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

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

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a public institution located in Corpus Christi, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Texas A&M Corpus Christi does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

26 Total Awards
$8,140 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, The University of Texas at Tyler did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. UT Tyler is located in Tyler, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 26 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UT Tyler. During the 2020-2021 year, about 80% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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68 Total Awards

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular graduate certificate nursing programs. This large public school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 68 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UT Austin does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 14% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#17

Texas A&M University - College Station

College Station, Texas
617 Total Awards
$10,687 Average Tuition & Fees
$36,689 Avg Student Debt

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M University - College Station is a large public school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 617 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

By the time they get their graduate certificate, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,689 in student loans. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Texas A&M College Station. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#17

University of Phoenix - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
650 Total Awards
$39,271 Avg Student Debt

University of Phoenix - Arizona ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. UOPX - Arizona is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 650 graduate certificates to qualified students.

Graduate Certificate recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $39,271 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 70% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UOPX - Arizona. 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

#17

Angelo State University

San Angelo, Texas
50 Total Awards
$7,246 Average Tuition & Fees

Angelo State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in San Angelo, Texas, and it awarded 50 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Angelo State. In fact, around 88% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Angelo State University Report

#17

West Coast University - Dallas

Richardson, Texas
9 Total Awards
$12,463 Average Tuition & Fees
$36,190 Avg Student Debt

West Coast University - Dallas ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list. West Coast University - Dallas is a small private for-profit school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 9 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

On average, graduate certificate students take out $36,190 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at West Coast University - Dallas are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on West Coast University - Dallas

#21

Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, Texas
$10,485 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, Lubbock Christian University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at LCU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 28% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Lubbock Christian University Report

#21

Northeastern State University

Tahlequah, Oklahoma
49 Total Awards
$5,471 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeastern State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. NSU is a public institution located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 49 graduate certificates in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at NSU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 78% of graduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Full Northeastern State University Report

22 Total Awards
$10,675 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas Medical Branch did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a graduate certificate. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that UTMB Galveston does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 19% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full The University of Texas Medical Branch Report

#21

University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, Texas
$19,970 Average Tuition & Fees

University of the Incarnate Word ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools in the Southwest Region list.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UIW. During the 2020-2021 year, about 40% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on University of the Incarnate Word

1 Total Awards
$19,630 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, University of Mary Hardin - Baylor did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their graduate certificate. Located in Belton, Texas, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1 diplomas to qualifed graduate certificate students in 2021-2022.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UMHB. In fact, around 7% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on University of Mary Hardin - Baylor

View Most Popular Nursing Graduate Certificate Schools Nationwide >

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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