2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong registered nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 185 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in registered nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for registered nursing in the Southwest Region. Located in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $22,750. Registered Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Central Texas earn a median of $88,036 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 100%.
A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,000. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,733. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes El Centro College one of the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,730 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,187. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $70,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $73,629 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in registered 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. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered 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 placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,750. Registered Nursing graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $95,761 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Tarrant County College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $72,069 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $79,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt.
Del Mar College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,601. Registered Nursing graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $70,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Brazosport College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earn a median of $21,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $101,468. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Victoria College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing value this year. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,900 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $65,007. That is a strong return on a $14,900 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
Amarillo College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,847 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $64,713 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,847 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #16 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
San Antonio College came in at #17 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,338 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from San Antonio College generally make around $67,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #18 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Midland College generally make around $62,761. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,775 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered 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 placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,346. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $78,791. Set against $13,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #21 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,058. Registered 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 came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,319. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,872. Set against $26,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,300. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $70,026 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Clovis Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value 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. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $73,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,072 ten years after entry.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
Narrow Registered Nursing Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 185 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 185 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.
