2027 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
[Nursing Administration](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-administration/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for nursing administration students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Administration Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Administration Schools
For return on investment in nursing administration, no school beat Texas A And M University Central Texas this year. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Texas A And M International University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing administration, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $11,674. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $101,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Lamar University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,905 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,745 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,196. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $77,946. That is a strong return on a $25,196 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Womans University earned it the #5 place for nursing administration. Set in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,480. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,000. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $54,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #6 spot for nursing administration value this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $88,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern State University came in at #7 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, compared with $17,290 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,542. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Northeastern State University generally make around $49,353. Set against $26,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern State University admits about 100% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #8 position for value in nursing administration this year. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,512. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete the nursing administration program here. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $98,109. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. The University Of Texas At Tyler admits about 94% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #9 for value in nursing administration this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $26,182. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $106,807. Set against $26,182 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #10 position for value in nursing administration this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,552. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. That is a strong return on a $27,235 median debt.
Texas A And M University Texarkana placed #11 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Texarkana, Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,349, compared with $24,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $28,663. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $67,768. Set against $28,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $24,276. Nursing Administration graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $88,824 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,276 median debt. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #13 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 $57,529 early in their careers. Set against $26,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #14 among the best values for nursing administration. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $90,251 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rogers State University came in at #15 for value in nursing administration this year. Rogers State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Claremore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,750, with out-of-state students paying around $16,410. Students borrow a median of $26,625 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Rogers State University earn a median of $45,644 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,625 median debt.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #16 spot for nursing administration value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,142. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $75,437. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University placed #18 among the best values for nursing administration. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Typical student debt for nursing administration graduates is $25,500. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $115,226. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of The Incarnate Word landed the #19 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,574 to complete the nursing administration program here. Soon after graduation, nursing administration degree recipients from University Of The Incarnate Word generally make around $85,614. Set against $27,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest University At El Paso landed the #20 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. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $46,551 in student loans. Early-career nursing administration graduates make about $42,219. Set against $46,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City University landed the #21 spot for nursing administration value this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,754. Nursing Administration graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Nursing Administration graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $88,135 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,093 median debt. Oklahoma City University admits about 77% of applicants.
Lubbock Christian University placed #22 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Lubbock, Lubbock Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $28,540 in tuition and fees. 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. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mary Hardin Baylor landed the #23 spot for nursing administration value this year. University Of Mary Hardin Baylor is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Belton. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
Baylor University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing administration schools. Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the nursing administration program here. Nursing Administration graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $94,615 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Baylor University admits about 51% of applicants.
West Coast University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best values for nursing administration. Set in the city of Richardson, West Coast University Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $36,854 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 Los Angeles earn a median of $112,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
