by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 100 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked University Of Phoenix Arizona the top school for nursing graduate earnings in the Southwest Region. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. Nursing graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of about $109,867 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #2 makes West Coast University Dallas one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Richardson, West Coast University Dallas is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from West Coast University Dallas make a median of around $110,377 per year.
College Of Health Care Professions Northwest came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Houston, College Of Health Care Professions Northwest is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from College Of Health Care Professions Northwest typically earn about $91,353 annually.
New Mexico Highlands University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from New Mexico Highlands University make a median of around $107,510 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Grand Canyon University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $100,075.
University Of Houston Victoria came in at #6 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Victoria, University Of Houston Victoria is a public institution. Nursing graduates of University Of Houston Victoria earn a median of about $94,341 a year early in their careers.
Aspen University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Aspen University is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Aspen University make a median of around $94,023 per year.
University Of Houston Clear Lake landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. University Of Houston Clear Lake is a public school located in the city of Houston. Nursing graduates of University Of Houston Clear Lake earn a median of about $93,001 a year early in their careers.
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus came in at #9 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus typically earn about $103,079 annually.
Laredo Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Laredo Community College is a public school located in the city of Laredo. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $92,707.
The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from The University Of Texas At Arlington make a median of around $97,855 per year.
Lone Star College System earned the #12 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $85,625.
Southwest Texas Junior College landed the #13 spot for nursing salaries this year. Located in the town of Uvalde, Southwest Texas Junior College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,744.
Schreiner University placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the town of Kerrville, Schreiner University is a private not-for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Schreiner University earn a median of about $93,241 a year early in their careers.
Houston Community College landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. Houston Community College is a public school located in the city of Houston. Nursing graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of about $101,897 a year early in their careers.
Prairie View A And M University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the rural area of Prairie View, Prairie View A And M University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Prairie View A And M University earn a median of about $97,495 a year early in their careers.
Weatherford College landed the #17 spot for nursing salaries this year. Set in the town of Weatherford, Weatherford College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,875.
Alvin Community College placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of about $87,009 a year early in their careers.
Texas State Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Texas State Technical College typically earn about $81,024 annually.
Northeastern State University earned the #20 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Tahlequah, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Northeastern State University earn a median of about $99,835 a year early in their careers.
Carrington College Albuquerque ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a private for-profit institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Carrington College Albuquerque typically earn about $84,782 annually.
Carrington College Mesa came in at #22 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Carrington College Mesa is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Carrington College Mesa earn a median of about $84,782 a year early in their careers.
Carrington College Phoenix ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Carrington College Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. Nursing graduates of Carrington College Phoenix earn a median of about $84,782 a year early in their careers.
Carrington College Tucson earned the #24 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Carrington College Tucson make a median of around $84,782 per year.
Texas A And M University Central Texas earned the #25 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of about $88,036 a year early in their careers.
These schools also send nursing graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries nursing graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
