Find Healthcare Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

206 Colleges
$71,137 Avg Salary
$24,797 Avg Student Debt

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.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.

#1

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, AZ

Our analysis found Grand Canyon University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Southwest Region . Located in the 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.

Full Nursing at Grand Canyon University Report

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means The University of Texas at Arlington is a great place for nursing students. 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.

Read More…

#3

Aspen University

Denver, CO

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.

Read full report on Nursing at Aspen University

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in the city of Tempe, UOPX - Arizona is a private for-profit college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UOPX - Arizona take out is $28,204.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Phoenix - Arizona

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center is a great place for nursing students. TTUHSC is a moderately-sized public school located in the 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

The University of Texas at Tyler ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. 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.

Read More…

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UTHealth is a medium-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.

Read full report on Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

#8

Lone Star College System

The Woodlands, TX

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 city of The Woodlands.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at North Harris Montgomery take out is $13,797.

Read More…

Texas Woman’s University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region list. 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Texas Woman’s University

Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. Galen College of Nursing - San Antonio is a small private for-profit school located in the 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.

Read More…

#11

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of Flagstaff, NAU is a public college with a fairly 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.

Full Nursing at Northern Arizona University Report

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.

Read More…

University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. UNM is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Albuquerque.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UNM accumulate an average of around $20,180 in student debt.

Full Nursing at University of New Mexico - Main Campus Report

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 midsize 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.

Read More…

#15

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in the large city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public school with a very 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.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Arizona

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 large city of San Antonio.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UT Health San Antonio carry an average student debt load of $25,000.

Full Nursing at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Report

With a ranking of #16, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. UTEP is a fairly large public school located in the 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.

Read More…

Arizona State University - Tempe came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. ASU - Tempe is a very large public school located in the medium-sized 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.

Read full report on Nursing at Arizona State University - Tempe

University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. 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.

Full Nursing at University of Oklahoma - Health Sciences Center Report

Austin Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a public college 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.

Read More…

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A&M Corpus Christi is a public school with a 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.

Full Nursing at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Report

#22

Baylor University

Waco, TX

Baylor University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Baylor is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized 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.

Read More…

#23

South Texas College

McAllen, TX

South Texas College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from South Texas College take out $9,273 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at South Texas College Report

West Coast University - Dallas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list. West Coast University - Dallas is a small private for-profit school located in the 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.

Full Nursing at West Coast University - Dallas Report

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 very large public school located in the large city of Fort Worth.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Tarrant County College take out is $17,500.

Read More…

#26

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, TX

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

One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, nursing has other similar majors worth exploring.

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

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.

Featured Schools

Find Healthcare Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited healthcare schools across the U.S.