2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Southwest Region
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value nursing practice schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Pan American, our #1 best value for nursing practice in the Southwest Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $101,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.
Texas Womans University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. Texas Womans University is a large public school located in the city of Denton. In-state tuition and fees average $8,640, compared with $18,480 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas Womans University earn a median of $111,254 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Texas Womans University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New Mexico State University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $18,484 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. That is a strong return on a $18,484 median debt. New Mexico State University Main Campus admits about 89% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at The University Of Texas At El Paso, which ranked #4. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $21,379 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $88,713. That is a strong return on a $21,379 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at Arizona State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,796. That is a strong return on a $26,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #6 among the best values for nursing practice. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,235 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $111,973. That is a strong return on a $27,235 median debt.
Western New Mexico University earned the #7 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,855, with out-of-state students paying around $14,341. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,088 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $48,366 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Houston earned the #8 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,283 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $85,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #9 position for value in nursing practice this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. Students from in state pay about $9,512 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,512 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $98,109. That is a strong return on a $24,356 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Alva. In-state tuition and fees average $5,970, while out-of-state students pay about $11,664. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,210 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northwestern Oklahoma State University generally make around $67,828. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Northern Arizona University placed #11 among the best values for nursing practice. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $24,276. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
Prairie View A And M University came in at #12 for value in nursing practice this year. Prairie View A And M University is a large public school located in the rural area of Prairie View. Students from in state pay about $11,299 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,874. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,392 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $99,335. That is a strong return on a $27,392 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #13 for value in nursing practice this year. The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington. Students from in state pay about $11,950 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,582 for out-of-state students. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $26,182 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Arlington generally make around $106,807. That is a strong return on a $26,182 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $90,251. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Arizona placed #15 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $96,470. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,404. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $84,023. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,634. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $24,607 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $83,793. That is a strong return on a $24,607 median debt. University Of St Thomas Texas admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $19,651 to complete the nursing practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $85,026. Set against $19,651 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas Wesleyan University earned the #19 position for value in nursing practice this year. Texas Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $39,582 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,461 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Texas Wesleyan University earn a median of $203,601 early in their careers. Set against $26,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Wesleyan University admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of The Incarnate Word earned the #20 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,090. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,574 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $51,876. That is a strong return on a $27,574 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma City University came in at #21 for value in nursing practice this year. 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 practice program here. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Oklahoma City University generally make around $88,135. Set against $27,093 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Grand Canyon University came in at #22 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Concordia University Texas came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Concordia University Texas is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $32,778. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $27,417. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Concordia University Texas generally make around $52,513. That is a strong return on a $27,417 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Oral Roberts University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. Oral Roberts University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tulsa. In-state tuition and fees average $35,470. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $29,500 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Oral Roberts University earn a median of $41,180 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,500 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Tulsa came in at #25 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, University Of Tulsa is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $49,546. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $30,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Tulsa generally make around $66,166. Set against $30,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing practice this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
