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Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

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2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

181 Colleges
$71,137 Avg Salary
$24,797 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

In 2020-2021, 322,592 nursing students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #3 most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 181 schools in the Southwest Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Nursing Colleges.

Top 25 Top Southwest Region Schools in Nursing

Our 2023 rankings named Midwestern University - Glendale the best school in the Southwest Region for nursing students. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University - Glendale is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

Read full report on Nursing at Midwestern University - Glendale

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Baylor College of Medicine. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Baylor College of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston.

Full Nursing at Baylor College of Medicine Report

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Ottawa University - Phoenix is a great place for nursing students. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Ottawa University - Phoenix is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Ottawa University - Phoenix carry an average student debtload of $26,768.

Full Nursing at Ottawa University - Phoenix Report

#4

Texas Wesleyan University

Fort Worth, TX

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Texas Wesleyan University is a great place for nursing students. Texas Wesleyan is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth.

Read More…

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Chamberlain University - Arizona. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the city of Phoenix, Chamberlain - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Chamberlain - Arizona carry an average student debtload of $38,460. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $256.

Read More…

With a ranking of #6, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of Lubbock, TTUHSC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at TTUHSC accumulate an average of around $22,250 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $242.

Read full report on Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

#7

Aspen University

Denver, CO

Aspen University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Denver, Aspen University is a private for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Aspen University take out $35,922 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at Aspen University Report

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Houston, UTHealth is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UTHealth take out is $21,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $203.

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

With a ranking of #9, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Texas A&M College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station.

On average, nursing graduates from Texas A&M College Station take out $21,625 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $232.

Read full report on Nursing at Texas A&M University - College Station

Chamberlain University - Texas landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Chamberlain - Texas is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Houston.

Nursing majors at Chamberlain - Texas take out an average of $38,460 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $256.

Full Nursing at Chamberlain University - Texas Report

West Coast University - Dallas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of Dallas, West Coast University - Dallas is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at West Coast University - Dallas take out an average of $38,146 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $665.

Read More…

With a ranking of #12, Baptist Health System School of Health Professions did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students. Baptist Health System School of Health Professions is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Baptist Health System School of Health Professions accumulate an average of around $28,978 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $110.

Full Nursing at Baptist Health System School of Health Professions Report

#13

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. TCU is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at TCU take out is $25,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $559.

Read More…

The University of Texas Medical Branch did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in the fringe town of Galveston, UTMB Galveston is a public school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UTMB Galveston carry an average student debtload of $21,463. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $215.

Full Nursing at The University of Texas Medical Branch Report

Texas A & M University - Central Texas came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A & M University - Central Texas is a public school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Texas A & M University - Central Texas accumulate an average of around $19,825 in student debt.

Read full report on Nursing at Texas A & M University - Central Texas

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the large city of Austin, UT Austin is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UT Austin take out is $20,840. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $222.

Read full report on Nursing at The University of Texas at Austin

Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the large city of San Antonio, Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio take out an average of $41,365 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $117, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

Arizona State University - Skysong came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of Scottsdale, ASU - Skysong is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong take out $25,937 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $264, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in the large city of San Antonio, UT Health San Antonio is a public school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UT Health San Antonio carry an average student debtload of $25,000.

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

#20

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

South Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of McAllen.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at South Texas College take out is $9,273.

Read full report on Nursing at South Texas College

#21

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Grand Canyon University accumulate an average of around $24,999 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $198, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Grand Canyon University

#22

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, AZ

Central Arizona College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Pinal County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Coolidge.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from Pinal County Community College carry an average student debtload of $15,679.

Read full report on Nursing at Central Arizona College

#23

Northeast Texas Community College

Mount Pleasant, TX

Northeast Texas Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. NTCC is a small public school located in the rural area of Mount Pleasant.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from NTCC carry an average student debtload of $20,000.

Read full report on Nursing at Northeast Texas Community College

#24

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the town of Huntsville, SHSU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SHSU take out is $26,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $172.

Read full report on Nursing at Sam Houston State University

University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for nursing students. It came in at #25 on the list. UOHSC is a small public school located in the large city of Oklahoma City.

On average, nursing graduates from UOHSC take out $26,980 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $318, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center

Rest of the Top Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

#27

Hallmark University

San Antonio, TX

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Nursing students in the Southwest Region that almost earned our Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region award.

Rank College Location
28 Carrington College, Mesquite Mesquite, TX
29 El Centro College Dallas, TX
30 Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OK
31 Weatherford College Weatherford, TX
32 Lone Star College System The Woodlands, TX
33 Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX
34 University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK
35 Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK
36 Arizona State University - Tempe Tempe, AZ

Best Nursing Colleges by State

Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southwest region.

State Degrees Awarded
Texas 21,862
Arizona 12,966
Oklahoma 3,009
New Mexico 1,390

Nursing is one of 30 different types of programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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