2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
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 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 259 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the most popular school in the Southwest Region for nursing students working on their degree. Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 29,319 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of $32,993 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $223. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $48,396 annually. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
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 Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large public school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 13,900 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $24,934 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $165.After graduating from UT Arlington, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,602 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aspen University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Aspen University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 2,208 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $26,014 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Aspen University graduates make an average of $83,891 annually. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
The 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 large private for-profit school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 26,013 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $38,447 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $155, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UOPX - Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,608 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Southwest Region . TTUHSC is a medium-sized public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 2,578 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $54,356 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $343. During the early years of their career, TTUHSC graduates make an average of $71,841 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
With a ranking of #6, Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is located in San Antonio, Texas and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,018 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,915 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $132, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,363 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.
Lone Star College System did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. The Woodlands, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 11,449 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,174 in student loans.After graduating from North Harris Montgomery, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,839 during the early years of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at Tyler came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Tyler, Texas, the medium-sized public school awarded 2,953 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,356 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $190.After graduating from UT Tyler, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,518 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 1,723 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $59,729 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $214, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UTHealth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $84,142 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Read full report on The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Texas Woman’s University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Denton, Texas, and it awarded 4,319 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,091 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $118. During the early years of their career, TWU graduates make an average of $44,718 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 91% were women.
The University of Texas Medical Branch landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. UTMB Galveston is a small public school situated in Galveston, Texas. It awarded 1,154 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UTMB Galveston accumulate an average of $51,927 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $271. During the early years of their career, UTMB Galveston graduates make an average of $70,277 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
With a ranking of #11, Northern Arizona University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 8,214 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,740 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $342. During the early years of their career, NAU graduates make an average of $43,197 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
South Texas College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. South Texas College is a large public school located in McAllen, Texas that handed out 5,616 degrees in 2021-2022.
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. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
GateWay Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the small public school awarded 1,852 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $7,630 in student loans. During the early years of their career, GateWay Community College graduates make an average of $41,233 annually. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large public school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 5,350 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,414 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UNM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,271 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
With a ranking of #16, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 14,649 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $33,089 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $338. During the early years of their career, ASU - Skysong graduates make an average of $48,201 annually. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Arizona landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. This large public school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 11,858 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,956 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $441 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,654 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. The University of Texas at El Paso is a large public school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 5,377 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,162 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $119. During the early years of their career, UTEP graduates make an average of $44,186 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is a small public school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 1,330 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $62,909 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UT Health San Antonio, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $77,418 during the early years of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. ASU - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 20,988 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $33,843 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $365. During the early years of their career, ASU - Tempe graduates make an average of $49,374 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Austin Community College District came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Austin Community College District is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 7,243 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $12,611 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Austin Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,063 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #22, University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. This small public school is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it awarded 1,137 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UOHSC accumulate an average of $92,610 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $352, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UOHSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,088 during the early year of their career. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, Tyler Junior College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Located in Tyler, Texas, the fairly large public school handed out 2,452 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,411 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. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #24, El Paso Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working. Located in El Paso, Texas, the large public school handed out 4,045 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from El Paso Community College accumulate an average of $8,729 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from El Paso Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $27,128 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is a fairly large public school located in Corpus Christi, Texas that handed out 2,793 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $27,376 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $296 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Texas A&M Corpus Christi graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,236 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Not only did these schools make the top 39 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular nursing schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Houston Baptist University | Houston, TX |
| 40 | Chamberlain University - Texas | Houston, TX |
| 42 | Brookline College - Phoenix | Phoenix, AZ |
| 43 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX |
| 44 | Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 45 | Concordia University, Texas | Austin, TX |
| 46 | El Centro College | Dallas, TX |
| 47 | Navarro College | Corsicana, TX |
| 48 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX |
| 49 | Texas State Technical College | Waco, TX |
| 50 | MSU Texas | Wichita Falls, TX |
| 51 | Texas A&M University - College Station | College Station, TX |
| 52 | Chamberlain University - Arizona | Phoenix, AZ |
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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