2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region

[Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing-nursing-administration-nursing-research-and-clinical-nursing-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing students.
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2026 Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools in the Southwest Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Schools
Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earned the #1 spot for value among other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,779, while out-of-state students pay about $9,564. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,565 in student loans. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City earn a median of $45,580 early in their careers. Set against $21,565 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing will find it at New Mexico State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $25,307. Students borrow a median of $18,484 to complete the other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing program here. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of New Mexico State University Main Campus earn a median of $75,870 early in their careers. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Phoenix Arizona earned it the #3 place for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $27,235. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from University Of Phoenix Arizona generally make around $111,973. Set against $27,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Arizona University one of the best values for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. 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 other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $24,276. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $88,824. That is a strong return on a $24,276 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the best values for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical student debt for other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates is $19,651. Soon after graduation, other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $85,026. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
Southwest University At El Paso ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing schools. Set in the city of El Paso, Southwest University At El Paso is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,000. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $46,551 in student loans. Early-career other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing graduates make about $74,637. Set against $46,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for value in other registered nursing, nursing administration, nursing research and clinical nursing this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $98,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.