2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Southwest Region

1

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Houston, TX

Leading the list is The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, our #1 school for nursing practice. Set in the city of Houston, The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is a moderately-sized public institution. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 44 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $123,774 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

2

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #2. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. About 77 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $113,144 in their early career. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing practice details for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3

The University Of Texas Medical Branch
Galveston, TX

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas Medical Branch one of the top schools for nursing practice. The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Galveston. The University Of Texas Medical Branch awarded about 24 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $98,578. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Texas Medical Branch

4

Baylor University
Waco, TX

Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #4. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 147 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $94,615 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Baylor University

5

The University Of Texas At Austin
Austin, TX

The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #5. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $85,026. Students borrow a median of $19,651 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Texas At Austin

6

The University Of Texas At Arlington
Arlington, TX

The University Of Texas At Arlington landed the #6 spot for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 86 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Arlington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $106,807 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Arlington graduates carry a median of $26,182 in student loans. Read more about the nursing practice program at The University Of Texas At Arlington

7

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. University Of Arizona awarded about 105 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $96,470 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of Arizona

8

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #8 among the best nursing practice schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 73 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $96,796 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Arizona State University

9

The University Of Texas At Tyler
Tyler, TX

The University Of Texas At Tyler ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This large public university is located in the city of Tyler. About 54% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 15 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $98,109 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,356. More information about a degree in nursing practice from The University Of Texas At Tyler

10

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University landed the #10 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the city of Phoenix. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 91 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Grand Canyon University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Grand Canyon University

11

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Oklahoma City, OK

University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center came in at #11 for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 16 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center earn a median of $85,068 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,899. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

12

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #12 spot for nursing practice this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 10 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $84,023. Students borrow a median of $18,404 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of New Mexico Main Campus

13

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earned the #13 position for nursing practice this year. This large public university is located in the city of Corpus Christi. About 40% of students finish within six years. About 12 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $90,251 in their early career. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

14

The University Of Texas At El Paso
El Paso, TX

The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #14 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At El Paso awarded about 12 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $88,713 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for The University Of Texas At El Paso

15

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #15 for nursing practice this year. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. About 16% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of Phoenix Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates carry a median of $27,235 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for University Of Phoenix Arizona

16

Abilene Christian University
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University came in at #16 for nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Abilene, Abilene Christian University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Abilene Christian University graduates 59% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Abilene Christian University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $97,593 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,850. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Abilene Christian University

17

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus earned the #17 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. New Mexico State University Main Campus awarded about 18 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. Students borrow a median of $18,484 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from New Mexico State University Main Campus

18

Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University earned the #18 position for nursing practice this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City University graduates 65% of students within six years. Oklahoma City University awarded about 29 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Oklahoma City University earn a median of $88,135 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,093. Get the full nursing practice details for Oklahoma City University

19

Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Alva, OK

Northwestern Oklahoma State University placed #19 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the town of Alva, Northwestern Oklahoma State University is a mid-sized public university. Northwestern Oklahoma State University graduates 30% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University earn around $67,828 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,210 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Northwestern Oklahoma State University

20

Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK

Oklahoma Wesleyan University came in at #20 for nursing practice this year. Located in the town of Bartlesville, Oklahoma Wesleyan University is a small private not-for-profit university. Oklahoma Wesleyan University graduates 26% of students within six years. Oklahoma Wesleyan University awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $77,987 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $31,589 to complete this degree. See the full nursing practice program report for Oklahoma Wesleyan University