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Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Texas

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas stands out with a remarkable net price of just $1,113 for nursing students, making it nearly ten times cheaper than some university options in the state. This dramatic cost difference reflects the structure of Texas nursing education, where community colleges and regional universities serve as primary training grounds for the state's massive healthcare workforce. Texas graduates enter a market where Texas Southmost College nursing alumni earn up to $81,333 annually, while University of Texas Permian Basin graduates start around $54,252. The earning potential directly connects to Texas hosting the world's largest medical complex in Houston, alongside major health systems like Baylor Scott & White and MD Anderson Cancer Center. With acceptance rates ranging from 47.88% at Texas A&M International to nearly 100% at UT El Paso, students have multiple pathways into programs that feed directly into the nation's second-largest healthcare workforce.
50
Programs
$1,113 – $23,790
Net Price Range
$65,569
Avg. Program Earnings
44.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

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

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $1,113 $6,627 95.7%
2 $1,291 $4,920 27.6%
3 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
4 $4,984 $2,910 20.1%
5 $5,309 $3,300 30.5%
6 $5,458 $3,148 26.8%
7 $6,306 $2,550 18.0%
8 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
9 $7,540 $1,992 34.4%
10 $8,624 $7,499 26.5% 82.1%
11 $8,664 $4,560 22.8%
12 $8,986 $1,864 21.8%
13 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
14 $10,726 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
15 $10,948 $8,648 44.2% 93.6%
16 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
17 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
18 $11,130 68.3% 52.9%
19 $11,268 $10,026 45.9% 86.5%
20 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
21 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
22 $12,637 $7,930 31.2% 91.5%
23 $12,714 $14,520 99.2%
24 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
25 $13,853 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
26 $13,931 $9,920 46.8% 93.9%
27 $14,041 $11,299 43.2% 76.1%
28 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
29 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
30 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
31 $15,235 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
32 $16,025 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
33 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
34 $17,760 $31,728 42.4%
35 $17,803 $16,000 65.7%
36 $18,762 $33,660 68.6% 96.7%
37 $19,678 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
38 $19,710 $38,100 49.8% 84.5%
39 $19,988 $31,372 38.6% 56.5%
40 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
41 $20,410 $37,396 43.7% 85.2%
42 $20,498 $35,660 51.8% 94.2%
43 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
44 $20,581 $24,588 41.1% 53.6%
45 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
46 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
47 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
48 $22,240 $36,690 40.5% 85.7%
49 $22,587 $34,920 55.2% 91.8%
50 $23,790 $30,050 48.0% 67.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Texas A&M University-Central Texas so affordable for nursing students?

The university offers nursing programs with a net price of only $1,113, combined with a 95.71% acceptance rate. This public institution keeps costs low through state funding and efficient program delivery. Students graduate with an average debt of just $12,500, significantly below national averages for nursing education.

How much can nursing graduates expect to earn in different regions of Texas?

Earnings vary significantly by location, from $54,252 at UT Permian Basin in Odessa to $81,333 for Texas Southmost College graduates in Brownsville. University of Houston-Victoria graduates earn $77,087 annually, while Texas Woman's University alumni average $65,924. These differences reflect regional healthcare markets and cost of living variations across the state.

Is financial aid available to help reduce nursing program costs in Texas?

Texas offers substantial aid through programs like the Texas Tomorrow Fund and TEXAS Grant specifically for in-state students. Community colleges like Austin Community College District charge only $2,550 in-state tuition, while universities like UT El Paso keep in-state costs at $9,744. State funding helps maintain these affordable rates for residents pursuing nursing careers.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Texas nursing schools?

Higher-cost programs generally show better completion rates, with UT Rio Grande Valley achieving 49.3% graduation at $6,500 net cost. However, some exceptions exist, like Texas Southmost College with only 26.8% graduation despite strong earning outcomes. Community colleges typically show lower graduation rates, ranging from 18% to 34.4%, but offer the most affordable entry points.

Where do most affordable nursing programs cluster geographically in Texas?

The Rio Grande Valley region offers several low-cost options, including Texas A&M International ($3,061), Laredo College ($5,309), and Texas Southmost College ($5,458). Border communities and smaller cities generally provide the most affordable nursing education. Austin and Houston metropolitan areas, while offering quality programs, tend toward higher net costs due to demand and living expenses.

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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.