2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Texas
[Registered Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/registered-nursing/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 123 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value registered nursing schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools in Texas
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools in Texas. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $10,000. Registered Nursing graduates of South Texas College earn a median of $75,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Brazosport College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $6,625. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $32,746. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M International University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Laredo, Texas A And M International University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,894, while out-of-state students pay about $19,454. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $13,750. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $95,761. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #4 place for registered nursing. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,187. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $70,630. That is a strong return on a $17,187 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #5 place for registered nursing. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $74,310. Set against $18,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Texas A And M University Central Texas placed #6 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the rural area of Killeen, Texas A And M University Central Texas is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,155. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $88,036. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Alvin Community College placed #7 among the best values for registered nursing. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. In-state tuition and fees average $1,906, with out-of-state students paying around $4,402. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,231 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $75,294. That is a strong return on a $14,231 median debt.
El Paso Community College placed #8 among the best values for registered nursing. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $79,996. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #9 among the best values for registered nursing. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $10,601 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $70,673 early in their careers. Set against $10,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange earned the #10 position for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,319 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $67,872 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District earned the #11 position for value in registered nursing this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $16,610 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $72,069. That is a strong return on a $16,610 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #12 for value in registered nursing this year. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $13,346 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $78,791 early in their careers. Set against $13,346 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,900 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $65,007 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #14 for value in registered nursing this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $15,087. Registered Nursing graduates of Grayson College earn a median of $73,793 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Athens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $59,966. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Antonio College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,412, while out-of-state students pay about $9,952. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $17,338. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $67,684. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #17 spot for registered nursing value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $78,115. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt.
The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #18 spot for registered nursing value this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, while out-of-state students pay about $19,645. Students borrow a median of $11,674 to complete the registered nursing program here. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $101,468. That is a strong return on a $11,674 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Laredo Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,748. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Laredo Community College earn a median of $78,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $4,704. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $18,847. Registered Nursing graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $64,713 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #21 among the best values for registered nursing. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #22 for value in registered nursing this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for registered nursing graduates is $20,775. Registered Nursing graduates of St Philips College earn a median of $68,521 early in their careers. Set against $20,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midland College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,180 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the registered nursing program here. Registered Nursing graduates of Midland College earn a median of $62,761 early in their careers. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Texas College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value registered nursing schools. Central Texas College is a large public school located in the suburb of Killeen. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, compared with $7,500 for out-of-state students. Registered Nursing graduates carry a median of $15,099 in student loans. Registered Nursing graduates of Central Texas College earn a median of $75,319 early in their careers. Set against $15,099 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College came in at #25 for value in registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Students borrow a median of $17,864 to complete the registered nursing program here. Early-career registered nursing graduates make about $66,556. Set against $17,864 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in registered nursing:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 123 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 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.
