2023 Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for healthcare students. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Healthcare Degree Search has created its Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 89 schools in the Southwest Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for healthcare students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region of the U.S.
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Tarleton State University to be the best school for healthcare students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Southwest Region .
In-state students pay an average of $7,790 in tuition and fees if they attend Tarleton full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $17,582. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,340 in student loans.
Since Tarleton is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Central Arizona College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Pinal County Community College accumulate an average of $15,315 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Pinal County Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend El Centro College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,961 in student loans.
El Centro College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Northeast Texas Community College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best healthcare schools in the Southwest Region .
Students from Texas who attend NTCC full time pay an average of $5,009 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,449. On average, associate degree students take out $18,637 in loans while pursuing their degree.
NTCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 67% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means South Texas College is a great place for healthcare students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,530 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend South Texas College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,920. Associate Degree recipients from South Texas College accumulate an average of $8,401 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at South Texas College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.
Weatherford College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Students from Texas who attend Weatherford College full time pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,800. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,268 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Weatherford College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Panola College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,672 in tuition and fees if they attend Panola College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,680.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Panola College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Lone Star College System landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree healthcare programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at North Harris Montgomery is $4,848. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,168. On average, associate degree students take out $15,481 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at North Harris Montgomery. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 72% took at least some of their classes online.
Houston Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Houston Community College is $4,344. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,460. Associate Degree recipients from Houston Community College accumulate an average of $23,597 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Houston Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Remington College - Dallas Campus came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
Associate Degree recipients from Remington College - Dallas Campus accumulate an average of $25,532 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Remington College - Dallas Campus is primarily an online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.
Southwestern Oklahoma State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Students from Oklahoma who attend SWOSU full time pay an average of $7,913 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $15,023. On average, associate degree students take out $17,974 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SWOSU. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Austin Community College District did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #12 on the list.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $8,580 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Austin Community College District. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,590. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,220 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Austin Community College District. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tarrant County College District landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree healthcare programs.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,198 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Tarrant County College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Del Mar College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #14 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at DMC is $4,820. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,930. Associate Degree recipients from DMC accumulate an average of $10,513 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at DMC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
Full-time students from Arizona pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Estrella Mountain Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,315 in student loans.
Estrella Mountain Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Amarillo College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $3,168 in tuition and fees if they attend Amarillo College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,704. On average, associate degree students take out $18,641 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Amarillo College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 57% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Texas State Technical College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region ranking.
On average, associate degree students take out $16,405 in loans while pursuing their degree.
TSTC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wharton County Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Wharton County Junior College is $3,624. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,872. On average, associate degree students take out $14,328 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Wharton County Junior College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Temple College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree healthcare programs.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $4,512 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Temple College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,432. Associate Degree recipients from Temple College accumulate an average of $18,360 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Temple College. In fact, around 88% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
GateWay Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for healthcare students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $2,070 in tuition and fees if they attend GateWay Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,854. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,336 in student loans.
Online courses are available at GateWay Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 74% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Mohave Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree healthcare programs.
Students from Arizona who attend MCC full time pay an average of $2,136 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,996. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,541 in student loans.
MCC is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Full-time students from Oklahoma pay an average of $4,913 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NEO A&M College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,063. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,281 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at NEO A&M College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 48% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #23, Galveston College did quite well on this year’s best schools for healthcare students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Texas pay an average of $2,950 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Galveston College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,200. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,605 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Galveston College does offer online classes in some areas. In 2019-2020 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Eastern Arizona College ranked #24 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
Associate Degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College accumulate an average of $9,270 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Eastern Arizona College. In 2019-2020 about 29% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Healthcare Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region list.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,960 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at San Jacinto College. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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