2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong nursing administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing administration schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
Texas A And M International University earned the #1 spot for value among nursing administration schools in the Southwest Region. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Students from in state pay about $7,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $95,761. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $46,404. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Paris Junior College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #3 spot this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Students from in state pay about $2,700 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Paris Junior College generally make around $38,811. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #4 place for nursing administration. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $111,254. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,544 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,713. That is a strong return on a $21,379 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,745. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,196 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Lamar University earn a median of $77,946 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. Lamar University admits about 86% of applicants.
Northeastern State University earned the #7 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,810, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,542. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $80,792. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Houston came in at #8 for value in nursing administration this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,283 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $85,740 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #9 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $27,235. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $111,973. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,512, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $98,109. Set against $24,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Texarkana placed #11 among the best values for nursing administration. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. In-state tuition and fees average $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,663. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas A And M University Texarkana generally make around $67,768. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Northern Arizona University landed the #12 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $24,276 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rogers State University came in at #13 for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the town of Claremore, Rogers State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $45,644. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #14 for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,950, while out-of-state students pay about $29,582. Students borrow a median of $26,182 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $106,807. Set against $26,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #15 for value in nursing administration this year. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $90,251. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #16 position for value in nursing administration this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $84,285. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Tarleton State University landed the #17 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the town of Stephenville, Tarleton State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,302, compared with $18,142 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $75,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #18 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,574 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $51,876. Set against $27,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Oklahoma City University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Students from in state pay about $34,754 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,093 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,135. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Grand Canyon University came in at #20 for value in nursing administration this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $18,508. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $115,226. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Southwest University At El Paso landed the #21 spot for nursing administration value this year. Southwest University At El Paso is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,000. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $46,551. Nursing Administration graduates of Southwest University At El Paso earn a median of $42,219 early in their careers. Set against $46,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lubbock Christian University landed the #22 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $28,540. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $31,000. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Lubbock Christian University generally make around $83,814. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lubbock Christian University admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor came in at #23 for value in nursing administration this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,300. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $28,656 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of University Of Mary Hardin Baylor earn a median of $54,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,656 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
West Coast University Dallas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Set in the city of Richardson, West Coast University Dallas is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $38,145 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of West Coast University Dallas earn a median of $112,084 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $38,145 median debt.
Texas Christian University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $60,035. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 26 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing administration value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
