Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.
Leading the list is The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston, our #1 school for registered nursing. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Houston. The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston awarded about 276 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston generally make around $123,774. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from The University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 941 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $113,144 in their early career. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
The University Of Texas Medical Branch is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Galveston. There were roughly 315 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Medical Branch in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Medical Branch generally make around $98,578. The University Of Texas Medical Branch graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #4. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 235 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $98,675 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Baylor University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #5. 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. About 330 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Baylor University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Baylor University earn around $94,615 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,975.
See the full registered nursing program report for Baylor University
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 117 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $85,026 in their early career. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $19,651 in student loans.
Read more about the registered nursing program at The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas Christian University placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 232 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas Christian University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Texas Christian University earn around $133,545 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of St Thomas Texas ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of St Thomas Texas awarded about 297 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,793 in their early career. University Of St Thomas Texas graduates carry a median of $24,607 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Arlington earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Arlington awarded about 2,468 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas At Arlington earn a median of $106,807 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,182.
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Lone Star College System came in at #10 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. Lone Star College System awarded about 529 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $77,795. Students borrow a median of $11,938 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Lone Star College System
University Of Houston earned the #11 position for registered nursing this year. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 84 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Houston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $85,740. Typical student debt for the program is $26,283.
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Texas Womans University landed the #12 spot for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Denton, Texas Womans University is a large public university. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 456 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas Womans University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas Womans University generally make around $111,254. Texas Womans University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Texas Womans University
Sam Houston State University placed #13 among the best registered nursing schools. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. Sam Houston State University graduates 55% of students within six years. About 147 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Sam Houston State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Sam Houston State University earn around $82,463 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,504 to complete this degree.
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Lee College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Lee College awarded about 39 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $72,164. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete this degree.
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El Centro College landed the #15 spot for registered nursing this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. About 288 registered nursing degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $70,630. Students borrow a median of $17,187 to complete this degree.
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Tarrant County College District placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Fort Worth. About 268 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Tarrant County College District in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Tarrant County College District earn around $72,069 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Tarrant County College District
Texas A And M International University placed #17 among the best registered nursing schools. Texas A And M International University is a large public school located in the city of Laredo. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 119 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M International University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M International University generally make around $95,761. Texas A And M International University graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
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Brazosport College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Lake Jackson. There were roughly 33 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Brazosport College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Brazosport College
The University Of Texas At Tyler earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public institution. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 647 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Tyler in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $98,109 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,356 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Texas Pan American came in at #20 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. There were roughly 212 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas Pan American in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $101,468 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete this degree.
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South Texas College landed the #21 spot for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of McAllen. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 238 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at South Texas College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $75,733 in their early career. South Texas College graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from South Texas College
Texas A And M University Commerce placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the town of Commerce. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. Texas A And M University Commerce awarded about 67 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Texas A And M University Commerce generally make around $76,559. Typical student debt for the program is $23,796.
See the full registered nursing program report for Texas A And M University Commerce
San Jacinto Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 257 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $71,118. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for San Jacinto Community College
Collin County Community College District landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Collin County Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of McKinney. About 234 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Collin County Community College District in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $72,584 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,687 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Collin County Community College District
Lamar University placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Beaumont. The six-year graduation rate is 37%. Lamar University awarded about 167 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lamar University earn around $77,946 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,196 to complete this degree.
See the full registered nursing program report for Lamar University
Rest of the Top 50 Registered Nursing Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s registered nursing ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 123 schools evaluated.
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).
