2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 108 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Nursing Schools in Texas
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
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for nursing in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $88,036 early in their careers. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
South Texas College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,310. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Students borrow a median of $17,187 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $70,630. Set against $17,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,894, with out-of-state students paying around $19,454. Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $95,761. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 44%.
Tarrant County College District placed #6 among the best values for nursing. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,610 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $72,069. That is a strong return on a $16,610 median debt.
El Paso Community College came in at #7 for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $79,996. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Del Mar College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $10,601. 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.
Victoria College landed the #9 spot for nursing value this year. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. Students from in state pay about $2,976 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,900 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $65,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,900 median debt.
Brazosport College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American earned the #11 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $101,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #12 for value in nursing this year. 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. Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Amarillo College earned the #13 position for value in nursing this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $18,847 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $64,713. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #14 for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Students borrow a median of $26,319 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $67,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College landed the #15 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips 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. Students borrow a median of $20,775 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $68,521 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,775 median debt.
San Antonio College earned the #16 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $17,338 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College came in at #17 for value in nursing this year. Midland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Midland. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $62,761. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,148 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,948. Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,058 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. That is a strong return on a $10,058 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #19 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $13,346. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,791. That is a strong return on a $13,346 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $16,478. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $59,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College placed #21 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Median earnings reach $36,072 ten years out.
Mclennan Community College placed #22 among the best values for nursing. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,864. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $66,556. Set against $17,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District placed #23 among the best values for nursing. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $17,481. Nursing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $78,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College landed the #24 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,087 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $73,793 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,087 median debt.
Lee College landed the #25 spot for nursing value this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, while out-of-state students pay about $5,045. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Lee College earn a median of $72,164 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing value ranking:
View All Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 108 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 108 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.
