2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Texas
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 106 schools to find the best return on investment for registered nursing students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Texas
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
Leading the list is Texas A And M University Central Texas, our #1 best value for registered nursing in Texas. Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Killeen. In-state tuition and fees average $7,363, compared with $17,155 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Central Texas generally make around $88,036. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered 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, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $74,310. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,187. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,630. Set against $17,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M International University earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Texas A And M International University earn a median of $95,761 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Texas A And M International University admits about 44% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $16,610. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $72,069. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #7 for value in registered nursing this year. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,996. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,601 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $70,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,601 median debt.
Victoria College earned the #9 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $14,900. Registered 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 ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #11 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $101,468. Set against $11,674 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Lamar State College Port Arthur landed the #12 spot for registered nursing value this year. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #13 for value in registered nursing this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $26,319 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $67,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,847 to complete the registered nursing program here. 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.
St Philips College earned the #15 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,775. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $68,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Antonio College earned the #16 position for value in registered 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 registered nursing graduates is $17,338. 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.
The University Of Texas At Brownsville landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Located in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. 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. In-state tuition and fees average $3,180, with out-of-state students paying around $6,180. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $12,500. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $62,761. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,346 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $78,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #20 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $59,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Panola College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the town of Carthage, Panola College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
Mclennan Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered 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 came in at #23 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $78,115 early in their careers. Set against $17,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grayson College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,000, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,087. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $73,793. That is a strong return on a $15,087 median debt.
Houston Community College earned the #25 position for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,770. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $66,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing value ranking:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
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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 · 106 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 106 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.
