Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Texas
- 50
- Schools
- $51,419
- Avg. Earnings
- 46%
- Avg. Graduation
- $14,677
- Avg. Net Price
- $17,490
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $36,515 at the low end to $75,121 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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College of the Mainland offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $39,639 against $1,342 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is College of the Mainland, at $1,342 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: The University of Texas at Austin graduates 88% of its students, well above the 46% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Alvin Community College: graduates owe only 0.10× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to The University of Texas at Arlington ($63,199 earnings), not the highest earner, The University of Texas at Austin ($75,121). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. College of the Mainland ($1,342/yr) and Baylor University ($41,104/yr) produce graduates earning $39,639 and $65,793 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $39,762 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, College of the Mainland outperforms The University of Texas at Austin: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with College of the Mainland and The University of Texas at Austin. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $53K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The University of Texas at Arlington #1 overall | $63,199 ▲ +23% vs avg | $13,951 | 55% | 87 |
| 2 Texas Woman's University #2 overall | $56,544 ▲ +10% vs avg | $11,963 | 47% | 86 |
| 3 The University of Texas at Tyler #3 overall | $57,053 ▲ +11% vs avg | $13,323 | 51% | 85 |
| $55,747 ▲ +8% vs avg | $11,656 | 42% | 82 | |
| $60,883 ▲ +18% vs avg | $23,131 | 42% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Texas
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,419 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 46% and an average net price of $14,677.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: College of the Mainland — Net Price: $1,342 | Graduation Rate: 30%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: The University of Texas at Austin — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: The University of Texas at Austin — Median alumni earnings: $75,121
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$52,508
Median earnings (10yr)
47%
Median graduation rate
$13,023
Median net price
2.2%
Avg. mobility rate
Health-professions programs sit at the center of one of the country’s most acute labor stories. An aging population and chronic shortages in nursing and allied health mean these programs are, in effect, staffing the health system. The schools that rise here pair classroom training with real clinical placements and strong licensure pass rates. That pairing is the difference between holding a credential and holding a job.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $52,508 ten years after enrollment, or about $4,508 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 47%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $13,023 a year with about $19,234 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 35% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 2.2%.
One pattern runs through this list: programs with deep clinical partnerships move their graduates into the workforce faster. The University of Texas at Arlington tops the ranking, and the median graduate here earns $52,508 ten years after enrollment. Demand outruns supply in this field, so the bottleneck is training capacity and credential attainment rather than hiring.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
The University of Texas at Arlington lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,199 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,951 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Texas Woman's University lands at #2 with a 86/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (68/100). Graduates earn a median $56,544 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,963 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
The University of Texas at Tyler lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (69/100). Graduates earn a median $57,053 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,323 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Midwestern State University lands at #4 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $55,747 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,656 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Concordia University Texas lands at #5 with a 82/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $60,883 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Southwestern Adventist University lands at #6 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $52,946 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,778 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Temple College lands at #7 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,678 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,682 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Victoria College lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $42,382 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,043 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Paris Junior College lands at #9 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $36,515 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,690 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
The University of Texas at Austin lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $75,121 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,857 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Alvin Community College lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,762 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,525 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Weatherford College lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,397 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,967 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Baylor University lands at #13 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $65,793 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,104 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Texas Christian University lands at #14 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $68,424 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,660 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Vernon College lands at #15 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $40,464 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,404 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Sam Houston State University lands at #16 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,211 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,404 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
The University of Texas at Dallas lands at #17 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $68,227 a decade after enrolling, 33% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,267 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Lamar University lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $49,652 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,366 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Stephen F Austin State University lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $49,634 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,260 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Texas Lutheran University lands at #20 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $53,863 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,654 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
University of the Incarnate Word lands at #21 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,733 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,775 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Amarillo College lands at #22 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (62/100). Graduates earn a median $41,302 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,600 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Schreiner University lands at #23 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,228 a decade after enrolling, 2% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,507 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
McLennan Community College lands at #24 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $39,163 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,051 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
College of the Mainland lands at #25 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $39,639 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $1,342 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
East Texas Baptist University lands at #26 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $52,788 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,911 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
The University of Texas at El Paso lands at #27 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,923 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,403 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor lands at #28 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $56,132 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,106 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Western Texas College lands at #29 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $42,508 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,562 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Texas State University lands at #30 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,906 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,805 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
East Texas A&M University lands at #31 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $50,296 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,841 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
University of North Texas lands at #32 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $57,010 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,649 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
College Station, TX · 57% accepted · $21,315 net
Why it ranks #33
Texas A&M University-College Station lands at #33 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $72,097 a decade after enrolling, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,315 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Lubbock Christian University lands at #34 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $53,787 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,456 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Austin College lands at #35 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $61,296 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,107 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Angelo State University lands at #36 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,116 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,091 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
The University of Texas Permian Basin lands at #37 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $56,073 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,723 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
San Antonio, TX · 87% accepted · $10,836 net
Why it ranks #38
The University of Texas at San Antonio lands at #38 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $57,131 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,836 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Wharton County Junior College lands at #39 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $44,960 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,666 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
North Central Texas College lands at #40 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $45,809 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,587 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Tyler Junior College lands at #41 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $38,140 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,206 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Tarleton State University lands at #42 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $53,040 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Trinity Valley Community College lands at #43 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $38,567 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,092 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Hill College lands at #44 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $39,572 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,577 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Texas A & M International University lands at #45 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $48,386 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,637 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Clarendon College lands at #46 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $38,696 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,390 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Howard Payne University lands at #47 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $48,376 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,627 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
South Plains College lands at #48 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $41,276 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,791 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Abilene Christian University lands at #49 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $55,736 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,182 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Hardin-Simmons University lands at #50 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,771 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,555 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Nursing is a critical field, especially in Texas, where the demand for qualified healthcare professionals continues to rise. With 50 institutions offering nursing programs in the state, prospective students have a range of choices that can shape their educational and career paths.
What distinguishes the top nursing colleges from the rest are their outcomes, such as average earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. These metrics provide a clearer picture of what students can expect after graduation and help inform decisions on where to invest time and money.
For instance, The University of Texas at Arlington leads the list with impressive earnings of $63,199 and a graduation rate of 55%. In contrast, Howard College shows lower earnings of $38,382 and a graduation rate of just 35%. This stark difference highlights the importance of not only choosing a school but also understanding the trade-offs involved.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 48 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.2%. The University of Texas at El Paso leads the group at 6.8%, with Clarendon College (3.4%) and Victoria College (3.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 11.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. The University of Texas at El Paso leads at 28%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 21.8% across this list. East Texas A&M University posts the highest success rate at 44.7%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.46 against a national benchmark of 1.0. The University of Texas at Austin reaches 1.79, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
At first glance, the earnings figures might seem similar across the board, but a deeper look reveals significant disparities. For example, The University of Texas at Arlington not only boasts the highest earnings at $63,199 but also maintains a graduation rate of 55%, suggesting a strong alignment between student support and career outcomes. Meanwhile, Howard College lags with earnings of $38,382 and only a 35% graduation rate, signaling potential challenges in student retention and post-graduation success that could impact future earnings.
With 50 options on the table, the next step is to consider personal priorities. Think about geographic preferences, the specific nursing specialties offered, and campus culture. A school’s financial profile, including net price and debt levels, should also weigh heavily in your decision-making process. Aligning your priorities with the data can help you choose a program that not only fits your needs but also provides a solid return on investment.
Ultimately, these figures illustrate the importance of selecting a college that aligns with both academic goals and financial realities. For families considering nursing as a career path, the right choice can lead to a stable and rewarding future. One decision can set the stage for a fulfilling life in a vital profession.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Texas: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Texas ranking? +
The University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, TX ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Texas ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $63,199 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 55% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
The University of Texas at Austin posts the highest median earnings on this list: $75,121 ten years after enrollment, well above the $51,419 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, College of the Mainland leads: graduates earn a median $39,639 against net price of about $1,342 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
The University of Texas at Austin has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 46% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $14,677 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. College of the Mainland is among the most affordable at roughly $1,342. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Texas ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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