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2026 Best Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

180 Colleges in the United States
40,249 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$77,186 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 215 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. About 500 nursing degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston earn a median of $123,774 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston

2

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, which ranked #2. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 1,142 nursing degrees were awarded at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center earn around $113,144 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

3

The University Of Texas Medical Branch came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Galveston, The University Of Texas Medical Branch is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 479 nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Medical Branch earn a median of $98,578 early in their careers. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for The University Of Texas Medical Branch

4

Students looking for a strong nursing program will find one at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 267 nursing degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $98,675 in their early career. Texas A And M University College Station graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Texas A And M University College Station

5

Baylor College Of Medicine is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Houston, Baylor College Of Medicine is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 27 nursing degrees were awarded at Baylor College Of Medicine in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $227,784 in their early career. See the full nursing program report for Baylor College Of Medicine

6

Baylor University came in at #6 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 578 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Baylor University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Baylor University earn around $94,615 in the first couple years of their career. Baylor University graduates carry a median of $26,975 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Baylor University

7

Midwestern University Glendale earned the #7 position for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Midwestern University Glendale is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 52 nursing degrees were awarded at Midwestern University Glendale in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Midwestern University Glendale generally make around $205,504. Get the full nursing details for Midwestern University Glendale

8

The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #8 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. About 89% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 264 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $85,026 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,651 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for The University Of Texas At Austin

9

Texas Christian University placed #9 among the best nursing schools. Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Fort Worth. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 343 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Texas Christian University earn a median of $133,545 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Texas Christian University

10

University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #10 spot for nursing this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Houston. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 307 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of St Thomas Texas in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of University Of St Thomas Texas earn a median of $83,793 early in their careers. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $24,607 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at University Of St Thomas Texas

11

The University Of Texas At Arlington placed #11 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 3,485 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing 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. See the full nursing program report for The University Of Texas At Arlington

12

University Of Arizona came in at #12 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 477 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Arizona earn around $96,470 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Arizona

13

Arizona State University landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. About 68% of students finish within six years. Arizona State University awarded about 626 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $96,796 early in their careers. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Arizona State University

14
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. About 529 nursing degrees were awarded at Lone Star College System in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $77,795. Lone Star College System graduates carry a median of $11,938 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Lone Star College System

15

University Of Houston came in at #15 for nursing this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston awarded about 98 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from University Of Houston earn around $85,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,283. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Houston

16

Texas Womans University earned the #16 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. About 49% of students finish within six years. Texas Womans University awarded about 783 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $111,254. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. See the full nursing program report for Texas Womans University

17

Pima Community College placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. About 149 nursing degrees were awarded at Pima Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $73,629. Pima Community College graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Pima Community College

18

Northern Arizona University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 456 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. Typical student debt for the program is $24,276. See the full nursing program report for Northern Arizona University

19

Sam Houston State University landed the #19 spot for nursing this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. Sam Houston State University awarded about 147 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $82,463 early in their careers. Sam Houston State University graduates carry a median of $26,504 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Sam Houston State University

20
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College placed #20 among the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Baytown. About 39 nursing degrees were awarded at Lee College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Lee College earn around $72,164 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Lee College

21
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College placed #21 among the best nursing schools. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. There were roughly 288 nursing students who graduated with this degree at El Centro College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from El Centro College earn around $70,630 in the first couple years of their career. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $17,187 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from El Centro College

22

Tarrant County College District landed the #22 spot for nursing this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. About 268 nursing degrees were awarded at Tarrant County College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $72,069 in the first couple years of their career. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $16,610 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Tarrant County College District

23

Texas A And M International University placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. About 46% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M International University awarded about 172 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $95,761 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Texas A And M International University

24
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College came in at #24 for nursing this year. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. There were roughly 33 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brazosport College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Brazosport College earn around $32,746 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $6,625. Read more about the nursing program at Brazosport College

25

The University Of Texas At Tyler landed the #25 spot for nursing this year. The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public school located in the city of Tyler. The University Of Texas At Tyler graduates 54% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Tyler awarded about 791 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from The University Of Texas At Tyler earn around $98,109 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at The University Of Texas At Tyler

Rest of the Top 50 Nursing Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong nursing education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Lamar University crest
Lamar University
Beaumont, TX
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
Midwestern State University crest
Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX
47
48
Tarleton State University crest
Tarleton State University
Stephenville, TX
49
50

Additional Nursing Award Winners

These schools also stood out for nursing:

Rank School Location
#53 The University Of Texas At El Paso El Paso, TX
#55 University Of Phoenix Arizona Phoenix, AZ
#62 Angelina College Lufkin, TX
#64 Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona Phoenix, AZ
#66 Del Mar College Corpus Christi, TX
#87 Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City, OK
#97 Northland Pioneer College Holbrook, AZ
#103 Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, AZ
#111 Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK
#191 West Coast University Dallas Richardson, TX

Honorable Mentions

A few more nursing schools worth a look:

Narrow Nursing Schools by State

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 215 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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