2026 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 209 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in the Southwest Region. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $75,733. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pima Community College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,629. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in registered nursing will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M International University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, compared with $19,454 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
A rank of #5 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,187 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,630. That is a strong return on a $17,187 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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.
College Of The Mainland placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. 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 registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $74,310 early in their careers. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,363, with out-of-state students paying around $17,155. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $88,036. Texas A And M University Central Texas admits about 100% of applicants.
Alvin Community College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,231 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,294. Set against $14,231 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College came in at #10 for value in registered nursing this year. 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. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $79,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College came in at #11 for value in registered nursing this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $10,601 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $70,673 early in their careers. Set against $10,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College placed #12 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $67,860 early in their careers. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,110 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus generally make around $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange placed #14 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $26,319. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $67,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
New Mexico State University Dona Ana ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,467 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Dona Ana earn a median of $78,510 early in their careers. Set against $16,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Arizona College earned the #16 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
Tarrant County College District landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,069. Set against $16,610 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,346 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $78,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College landed the #19 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, compared with $5,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,900 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $65,007 early in their careers. Set against $14,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College landed the #20 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Students borrow a median of $15,087 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,793. Set against $15,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #21 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $20,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $70,463. That is a strong return on a $20,334 median debt.
San Antonio College landed the #22 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. 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. That is a strong return on a $17,338 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #23 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,481. Registered Nursing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $78,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,478. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $59,966. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, with out-of-state students paying around $3,344. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,250. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $73,387. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for registered nursing this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 209 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 164 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.
