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Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas Southmost College delivers the highest nursing graduate earnings at $81,333 annually while maintaining one of the lowest net costs at $5,458. This remarkable return on investment reflects Texas's massive healthcare infrastructure, where the Houston Medical Center alone employs over 100,000 healthcare workers across 60 institutions. The state's nursing programs span a wide cost spectrum, from Texas A&M International's $3,061 net price to UT Arlington's $15,235, yet earnings remain consistently strong across all institutions. Major health systems like HCA Healthcare and Baylor Scott & White actively recruit Texas-trained nurses, creating steady demand for graduates in registered nursing, nursing administration, and clinical research roles. The data reveals that even the most affordable programs produce graduates earning above $54,000, while higher-cost options like Prairie View A&M and UT Arlington justify their expense with earnings exceeding $72,000. This earning potential aligns with Texas's role as the nation's second-largest healthcare workforce, where nursing professionals find opportunities in everything from bedside care to administrative leadership and clinical research positions.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$65,744
Avg. Program Earnings
49.2%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,061 $64,990 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
2 $5,458 $81,333 $3,148 26.8%
3 $6,500 $61,334 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
4 $8,624 $77,087 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
5 $11,429 $68,975 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
6 $10,948 $65,924 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
7 $9,144 $54,252 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
8 $10,726 $62,710 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
9 $11,268 $64,196 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
10 $11,882 $66,631 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
11 $14,041 $72,891 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
12 $13,853 $68,858 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
13 $12,915 $63,781 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
14 $15,235 $72,515 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
15 $12,714 $58,522 $14,520 99.2%
16 $16,025 $69,740 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
17 $13,931 $59,904 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
18 $15,152 $63,768 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
19 $15,137 $62,422 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
20 $16,438 $60,207 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
21 $19,710 $69,770 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
22 $18,762 $63,997 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
23 $19,988 $68,079 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
24 $20,410 $69,338 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
25 $19,678 $64,593 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
26 $20,581 $66,941 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
27 $21,031 $66,821 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
28 $25,957 $82,415 $16,715
29 $20,841 $65,089 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
30 $20,261 $63,005 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
31 $20,924 $63,656 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
32 $20,498 $58,496 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
33 $22,240 $60,943 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
34 $24,532 $66,883 $18,238 9.1%
35 $25,910 $68,858 $27,298 48.7% 81.6%
36 $23,790 $63,005 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%
37 $26,825 $63,749 $16,400
38 $32,247 $71,315 $19,686 85.7%
39 $28,690 $61,643 $33,150 53.4% 95.7%
40 $27,401 $58,522 $42,380 60.2% 65.8%
41 $27,829 $58,866 $23,785 37.6%
42 $33,531 $66,737 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
43 $41,942 $64,216 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%
44 $25,314 $35,500 61.1% 48.8%
45 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
46 $6,306 $2,550 18.0%
47 $33,228 $23,760 100.0%
48 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
49 $11,130 68.3% 52.9%
50 $5,309 $3,300 30.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas Southmost College stand out for nursing value?

Texas Southmost College offers the highest nursing graduate earnings at $81,333 with a net cost of just $5,458, creating an strong return on investment. The school maintains low tuition at $3,148 for in-state students while producing graduates who earn significantly more than the state average. However, the graduation rate of 26.8% suggests students should carefully consider their academic preparedness before enrolling.

How do public nursing programs compare to private options in Texas?

Public nursing programs dominate Texas's best value rankings, with 14 of the top 15 schools being public institutions. Abilene Christian University represents the lone private option at position 15, with a net cost of $12,714 compared to public averages around $11,000. Public programs consistently deliver strong earnings potential between $54,252 and $81,333, making them clear winners for cost-conscious students.

Does graduation rate affect nursing program value in Texas?

Graduation rates vary dramatically among Texas nursing programs, from 26.5% at University of Houston-Victoria to 64.9% at University of Houston main campus. Higher graduation rates don't always correlate with higher costs, as UT El Paso achieves a 45.9% rate with a $10,726 net cost. Students should balance low costs against completion likelihood, especially at schools with rates below 40%.

Where do Texas nursing graduates find the best job opportunities?

Texas nursing graduates enter the nation's second-largest healthcare workforce, with major employment hubs in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. The Houston Medical Center alone employs over 100,000 healthcare workers, while systems like HCA Healthcare and MD Anderson Cancer Center actively recruit Texas-trained nurses. Earnings data shows graduates consistently find well-paying positions, with even the lowest-earning programs producing nurses who make over $54,000 annually.

Is financial aid available for Texas nursing students?

Texas offers substantial financial aid through programs like the TEXAS Grant and Texas Tomorrow Fund, helping reduce net costs significantly below sticker prices. For example, UT Arlington's in-state tuition is $11,728, but the average net cost drops to $15,235 after aid. The state's commitment to healthcare workforce development means nursing students often qualify for additional scholarships and loan forgiveness programs tied to Texas employment commitments.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.