2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 188 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Schools
Texas A And M University Central Texas tops our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $22,750. Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $88,036 early in their careers. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,000. Nursing graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $75,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #3 place for nursing. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,187. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $70,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $73,629. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in nursing will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $74,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University came in at #6 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Tarrant County College District came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $72,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #8 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Nursing graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $79,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College earned the #9 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $10,601 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $70,673. That is a strong return on a $10,601 median debt.
Brazosport College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,625. Early-career nursing graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus landed the #11 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,110. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Set against $11,110 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas Pan American placed #12 among the best values for nursing. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,674. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $101,468 early in their careers. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $74,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College earned the #14 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,328. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $65,007. That is a strong return on a $14,900 median debt.
Amarillo College earned the #15 position for value in nursing this year. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,847 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $64,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,338. Nursing graduates of San Antonio College earn a median of $67,684 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,338 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #18 among the best values for nursing. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Nursing graduates of Midland College earn a median of $62,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #19 among the best values for nursing. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $68,521. That is a strong return on a $20,775 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #20 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,346. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $78,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #21 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $67,872. That is a strong return on a $26,319 median debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,300. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,026. Set against $16,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Panola College came in at #24 for value in nursing this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Clovis Community College earned the #25 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $73,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for nursing this year:
Narrow Nursing Schools by State
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 188 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 188 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.
