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Most Popular Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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

62 Schools Ranked

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.

The Most Popular Nursing Master'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. This report analyzed 62 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular master's degree programs 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:

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
1,935 Total Awards
$11,538 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the most popular school in the Southwest Region for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the large private for-profit school handed out 1,935 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Grand Canyon University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In fact, around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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1,204 Total Awards
$10,853 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Arlington. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. UT Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,204 master’s degrees to qualified students.

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

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.

Full The University of Texas at Arlington Report

#3

Aspen University

Denver, Arizona
455 Total Awards
$4,357 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aspen University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Denver, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 455 students in 2020-2021.

Around 90% of those degree recipients 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 full report on Aspen University

436 Total Awards

The excellent master’s degree programs at University of Phoenix - Arizona helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southwest Region . UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 436 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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248 Total Awards
$10,409 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. This medium-sized public school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 248 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

UTHealth does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 3% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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

#6

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
197 Total Awards
$13,460 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Arizona ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, the large public school awarded 197 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 79% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at University of Arizona, 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 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.

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187 Total Awards
$11,471 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas Medical Branch came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Galveston, Texas, the small public school handed out 187 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UTMB Galveston. In 2019-2020 about 31% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on The University of Texas Medical Branch

168 Total Awards
$9,080 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #8, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. TTUHSC is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 168 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.

One thing to take note of is that TTUHSC does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 61% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#9

Texas Woman's University

Denton, Texas
127 Total Awards
$7,704 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Woman’s University landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 127 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at TWU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 88% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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122 Total Awards
$7,166 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 122 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UTEP, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 88% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Report

#11

Texas Wesleyan University

Fort Worth, Texas
109 Total Awards
$21,243 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas Wesleyan University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Texas Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Fort Worth, Texas. It awarded 109 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Texas Wesleyan. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 59% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Texas Wesleyan University

83 Total Awards
$4,464 Average Tuition & Fees

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a small public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 83 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

UT Health San Antonio 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 1% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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75 Total Awards
$8,110 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 master’s degree. UT Tyler is a medium-sized public school situated in Tyler, Texas. It awarded 75 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UT Tyler does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 90% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#14

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

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

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and it awarded 74 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

70 Total Awards

The University of Texas at Austin landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school located in Austin, Texas that handed out 70 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that UT Austin does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 66% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#16

Houston Baptist University

Houston, Texas
64 Total Awards
$13,400 Average Tuition & Fees

Houston Baptist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. HBU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 64 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since HBU does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 65% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Houston Baptist University

#17

Lubbock Christian University

Lubbock, Texas
44 Total Awards

Lubbock Christian University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. LCU is located in Lubbock, Texas and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 44 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 98% were women.

One thing to take note of is that LCU does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 46% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Lubbock Christian University Report

#18

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
42 Total Awards
$11,555 Average Tuition & Fees

Northern Arizona University ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 42 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at NAU. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Northern Arizona University

42 Total Awards
$6,595 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas A&M International University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M International University is located in Laredo, Texas and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

Texas A&M International University does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 76% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#20

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
41 Total Awards
$7,115 Average Tuition & Fees

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 41 students in 2020-2021.

Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at UNM, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 38% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of New Mexico - Main Campus

39 Total Awards
$7,495 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the small public school awarded 39 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Around 92% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that UOHSC does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 64% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#22

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas
37 Total Awards
$9,060 Average Tuition & Fees

Texas State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas State is located in San Marcos, Texas and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

Texas State 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 76% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Texas State University

36 Total Awards
$12,608 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Tempe, Arizona, the large public school handed out 36 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 92% 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 fact, around 42% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Arizona State University - Tempe

#23

West Texas A&M University

Canyon, Texas
36 Total Awards
$7,282 Average Tuition & Fees

West Texas A&M University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Canyon, Texas, the medium-sized public school handed out 36 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

One thing to take note of is that West Texas A&M University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 91% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full West Texas A&M University Report

#25

Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Weatherford, Oklahoma
32 Total Awards
$7,530 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #25, Southwestern Oklahoma State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. SWOSU is a small public school situated in Weatherford, Oklahoma. It awarded 32 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

SWOSU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Southwestern Oklahoma State University Report

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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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