2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
Finding the Best Nursing School for You
Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 39,944 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which healthcare program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 206 schools in the Southwest Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.
2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.
Top 25 Most Popular Southwest Region Schools in Nursing
Our 2023 rankings named Grand Canyon University the most popular school in the Southwest Region for nursing students. Located in the large city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Grand Canyon University take out is $24,999. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $198, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The excellent programs at The University of Texas at Arlington helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . UT Arlington is a very large public school located in the city of Arlington.
Nursing majors at UT Arlington take out an average of $25,989 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $142.
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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Aspen University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Aspen University is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Denver.
On average, nursing graduates from Aspen University take out $35,922 in student loans while working on their degree.
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The excellent programs at University of Phoenix - Arizona helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . Located in the large city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UOPX - Arizona take out is $28,204.
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The excellent programs at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Southwest Region . TTUHSC is a medium-sized public school located in the large city of Lubbock.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at TTUHSC take out is $22,250. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $242.
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The University of Texas at Tyler landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. UT Tyler is a moderately-sized public school located in the midsize city of Tyler.
On average, nursing graduates from UT Tyler take out $22,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $164.
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With a ranking of #7, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. UTHealth is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Houston.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UTHealth take out is $21,000. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $203, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Lone Star College System ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. North Harris Montgomery is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of The Woodlands.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at North Harris Montgomery take out is $13,797.
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With a ranking of #9, Texas Woman’s University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the midsize city of Denton, TWU is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Nursing majors at TWU take out an average of $25,280 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $84.
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Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Antonio.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio accumulate an average of around $41,365 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $117, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Northern Arizona University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the small city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public school with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at NAU accumulate an average of around $25,374 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $161, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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The University of Texas Medical Branch did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. UTMB Galveston is a small public school located in the fringe town of Galveston.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UTMB Galveston take out is $21,463. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $215.
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University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. UNM is a fairly large public school located in the city of Albuquerque.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at UNM accumulate an average of around $20,180 in student debt.
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With a ranking of #14, Arizona State University - Skysong did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. ASU - Skysong is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Scottsdale.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from ASU - Skysong carry an average student debt load of $25,937. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $264.
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With a ranking of #15, University of Arizona did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at University of Arizona accumulate an average of around $24,250 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $205.
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The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. UT Health San Antonio is a small public school located in the city of San Antonio.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UT Health San Antonio carry an average student debt load of $25,000.
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The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTEP is a fairly large public school located in the large city of El Paso.
On average, nursing graduates from UTEP take out $22,058 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $67, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. ASU - Tempe is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Tempe.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at ASU - Tempe take out is $25,937. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $264.
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With a ranking of #19, University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, UOHSC is a public school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UOHSC carry an average student debt load of $26,980. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $318, based on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Austin Community College District ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the large city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public school with a very large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Austin Community College District accumulate an average of around $16,726 in student debt.
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Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the large city of Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a public college with a fairly large student population.
While working on their degree, nursing majors at Texas A&M Corpus Christi accumulate an average of around $25,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $238.
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Baylor University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Baylor is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Waco.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Baylor take out is $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $702.
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South Texas College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the midsize city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public school with a very large student population.
On average, nursing graduates from South Texas College take out $9,273 in student loans while working on their degree.
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West Coast University - Dallas landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. West Coast University - Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Dallas.
Nursing majors at West Coast University - Dallas take out an average of $38,146 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $665.
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With a ranking of #25, Tarrant County College District did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Tarrant County College is a fairly large public school located in the city of Fort Worth.
The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Tarrant County College take out is $17,500.
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Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Oklahoma City Community College | Oklahoma City, OK |
| 32 | El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX |
| 32 | Concordia University, Texas | Lakeway, TX |
| 34 | Baptist Health System School of Health Professions | San Antonio, TX |
| 35 | San Jacinto Community College | Pasadena, TX |
| 36 | Lamar University | Beaumont, TX |
| 37 | MSU Texas | Wichita Falls, TX |
| 38 | Texas A&M University - College Station | College Station, TX |
| 39 | Chamberlain University - Arizona | Phoenix, AZ |
| 40 | Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ |
| 41 | Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Weatherford, OK |
Best Nursing Colleges by State
Explore the best nursing colleges for a specific state in the Southwest region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| Texas | 21,862 |
| Arizona | 12,966 |
| Oklahoma | 3,009 |
| New Mexico | 1,390 |
Nursing Related Majors
One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.
Nursing Concentrations
Most Popular Related Majors
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Health & Medical Administrative Services | 89,359 |
| Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services | 84,492 |
| Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants | 84,274 |
| Allied Health Professions | 82,308 |
| Public Health | 40,596 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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