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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

4 Colleges in the United States
$22,971 Avg Student Debt
$54,047 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Badge [Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-nursing/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing students.

What’s on this page:

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DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 96
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.38), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Grad Cert - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.9
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "MSN - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.9)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing BSN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Accelerated BSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing CNA to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing EMT to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Programs (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to RN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing LPN / LVN to BSN (I Am an LPN / LVN)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant to RN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Direct Entry MSN (Non-Nursing Bachelors Required) (I Am Not a Nurse)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing Paramedic to RN Programs (I Am a Paramedic or EMT)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Nursing - RN to BSN - Accelerated RN to MSN" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing ADN or ASN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Certified Nursing Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am a CNA or Medical Assistant)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Medical Assistant Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing LPN/LVN Programs (I Am Not a Nurse)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nurse Executive Leadership" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Family Nurse Practitioner" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Nursing Education" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Healthcare Quality & Safety" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MS in Nursing - Population Healthcare" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Clinical Nurse Leader (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Forensic Nurse (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Forensic Nursing (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health/Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Health Systems Management (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Administrator (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Administrator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leader (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Executive Leadership (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Midwifery (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN to MSN Programs (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing BSN to PhD Programs (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Care Coordination (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Care Coordination (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Case Management (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Dual MSN/MBA (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nurse Education (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Education (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nurse Educator (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Nursing Informatics (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Nursing Informatics (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Nursing Leadership (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing MSN to DNP (Doctorate) Programs (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "PhD in Nursing (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing MSN to PhD (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Associates) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN (With Non-Nursing Bachelors) to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to BSN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Nursing RN to MSN (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Patient Safety & Quality (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Care Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a BSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Grad Cert - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "DNP - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have a MSN)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "MSN - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (I Have an ADN, ASN, or RN Diploma)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Clinical Mental Health Counseling (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 18
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 16 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 16
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 5 offers with relevance >= 0.9

2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools

1

Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas Pan American the best value for a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $11,674 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $46,404 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

2

A rank of #2 makes New Mexico State University Main Campus one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At El Paso one of the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $21,379 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $88,713. Set against $21,379 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Tyler earned it the #4 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the city of Tyler, The University Of Texas At Tyler is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,512, with out-of-state students paying around $24,512. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $24,356 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Tyler generally make around $98,109. Set against $24,356 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University Texarkana earned it the #5 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Texas A And M University Texarkana is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Texarkana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,349, while out-of-state students pay about $24,680. Students borrow a median of $28,663 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Texas A And M University Texarkana earn a median of $44,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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6

Northern Arizona University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $24,276. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $24,276 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

University Of Arizona placed #7 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $21,500. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $96,470 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

Texas State University San Marcos placed #8 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $23,250. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $84,285. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.

9

University Of St Thomas Texas landed the #9 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of St Thomas Texas is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,634. Students borrow a median of $24,607 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from University Of St Thomas Texas generally make around $83,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of The Incarnate Word ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, University Of The Incarnate Word is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,090. Students borrow a median of $27,574 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of The Incarnate Word earn a median of $85,614 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

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West Texas A And M University landed the #11 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. West Texas A And M University is a large public school located in the town of Canyon. Students from in state pay about $9,101 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,996 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $22,884. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $74,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

12

Texas Christian University came in at #12 for value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,740. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Texas Christian University generally make around $133,545. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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