The best Texas nursing schools offer a variety of programs for new nurses and career nurses returning to school. When a person decides to attend nursing school in Texas, it’s important to look for the top nursing schools in Texas. These adequately prepare a student for the NCLEX and a job in nursing. A student should also take into consideration if a program offers mentorship. The best nursing programs in Texas offer students access to a mentor who’s been in the field.
First and foremost, when looking for the best nursing programs in Texas, a person needs to look into the accreditation. This is because a student must attend a school that’s accredited to sit for the NCLEX. Besides accreditation, a person should look into the Texas nursing schools ranking when comparing the top nursing schools in Texas. A student should compare the Texas nursing school’s ranking based on how well students fare in the job market. A student should look to see what percentage of students find a career in nursing after graduating.
Featured Programs
For students who need to complete clinicals for their program, it’s important to understand where the person will complete clinicals. The best nursing programs in Texas have a student complete clinicals in a reputable facility. A person can find more information on the school’s site as well as read reviews from previous students.
How We Ranked the Best Nursing Schools in Texas
Nursing School Hub features only accredited, reputable schools according to real data from IPEDS, Niche, and College Scorecard. Cost, Alumni Salary, and Student Satisfaction are all taken into consideration.
1. Texas Woman’s University
The Texas Woman’s University Nursing program is recognized among the best school for nursing in Texas and across the country. TWU’s Nursing program offers four academic nursing degrees as follows – an undergraduate BSN degree program, a graduate degree MSN program, and the advanced nursing degrees of a Ph.D. in nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. These nursing programs offered by one of the best nursing schools in Texas are available on three TWU campuses – Houston, Dallas, and Denton, TX. The MSN degree program offered by TWU is available online.
The Texas Woman’s University was established in 1901. Texas Woman’s University is one of four schools that operate independently of any established university system. The school’s suburban campus serves more than 10,000 students each term. The Texas Woman’s University operates two health & science centers in Houston and Dallas, TX.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
2. Baylor University
Baylor University’s Louis Herrington School of Nursing is considered one of the best nursing schools in Texas. Baylor offers several BSN programs – a traditional program, a fast-track on-campus, or an accelerated BSN completion program online. Additionally, this best school for nursing in Texas offers a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. The more advanced nursing degrees offered by Baylor include Nurse-Midwifery, or an online Leadership and Innovation Program. Baylor’s DNP practice includes specializations in Nurse Leadership, Neonatal NP, Family NP, Pediatric NP, and Anesthetic NP.
Baylor University was established as a private university in 1845. Baylor University is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Baylor’s college-town campus covers more than 1,000 acres and serves approximately 17,100 students. Baylor University holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running institution in the Lone Star state.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP
3. University of Texas at Arlington
The College of Nursing and Health Innovation at the University of Texas at Arlington is considered one of the best nursing schools in Texas and the country. UT Arlington’s nursing programs include a baccalaureate program (the BSN program), a graduate program (the MSN program), and the advanced nursing degrees as follows – a Ph.D. program and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree program. As a best school for nursing in Texas, UT Arlington’s College of Nursing has been named a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence.
The University of Texas at Arlington was founded initially as Arlington College in 1895. UT Arlington’s campus is home to about 42,300 students studying for the more than 175 degrees offered by UT Arlington. UT Arlington was once a member school of the Texas A&M System but joined the University of Texas System in the mid-1960s.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
4. Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers four academic nursing programs as follows – the BSN program, the MSN program, the DNP program, and the Ph.D. in Health Sciences program. Recognized among the best nursing schools in Texas, the school offers several MSN degree options – Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Administration, and Nurse Educator. This best school for nursing in Texas also offered several DNP nursing programs – a BSN – DNP Family Nurse Practitioner, the Clinical Nurse Specialist, and the post master’s DNP program. TCU’s nursing students have the opportunity to study abroad in Spain, Switzerland, Ireland, Chile, Argentina, and England.
Texas Christian University was established in 1873. TCU remains affiliated (but not governed by) with the Disciples of Christ – Christian Church. TCU’s urban campus is situated only a few miles from Fort Worth’s downtown and is home to about 10,200 students. Texas Christian University’s mascot is Superfrog – a mascot based on Texas’ state reptile.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
5. University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler’s School of Nursing offers various levels of nursing degrees is among the best nursing schools in Texas and beyond. These nursing programs offered by this best school for nursing in Texas have received accreditation from the CCNE, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. UT Tyler offers a BSN baccalaureate program, a graduate MSN program, and the more advanced nursing the Ph.D. nursing program and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) nursing degree program. UT Tyler’s graduate degree nursing programs are available in these concentrations – Education, Family Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health, and Administration. The Ph.D. program is available to nurses who have only a BSN degree.
The University of Texas at Tyler was established in 1971 and is a member school of the University of Texas system since 1979. UT Tyler is organized into six colleges/schools that offer more than 85 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level degrees. The school’s campus features the Riter Tower, a working instrument that creates music with more than 55 bells.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
6. Stephen F Austin State University
The Dewitt School of Nursing at Stephen F Austin State University (SFA), as a best school for nursing in Texas, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program (BSN) and an MS in Nursing degree program that has received accreditation by the Texas Board of Nursing and the ACEN accrediting commission. Students enrolled in SFA’s School of Nursing earn a nursing degree from one of the best nursing schools in Texas, and across the southeastern region of the United States.
Stephen F Austin State University was established in 1921 as a teacher’s training college by an act of the Texas Legislature. Stephen F Austin State University’s small-town, somewhat rural campus is home to about 13,100 students. Stephen F Austin State University operates as an independent institution of higher learning and is not affiliated with any Texas university system.
Degrees: BSN, MSN
7. Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing is recognized as one of the best nursing schools in Texas and the country. Texas A&M’s College of Nursing offers several baccalaureate degree programs – a traditional path, an RN to BSN, and as a second degree. The graduate programs offered by this best school for nursing in Texas include concentrations in Forensic Nursing, Nursing Education, or as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A&M’s College of Nursing boasts an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 99%. Students enrolled in A&M’s nursing programs complete an average of 1,500 clinical hours prior to graduation.
Texas A&M University (Texas A&M) was established in 1871. The school’s college-town campus covers more than 5,000 acres and is ranked among the largest school campuses in the nation. With a student enrollment of over 69,000, Texas A&M University holds the distinction of being the largest institution of higher education in Texas and one of the largest in the country.
Degrees: BSN, MSN
8. University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin’s School of Nursing is a recognized among the best nursing schools in Texas as it offers nursing programs at the undergraduate level (BSN), the graduate level (MSN), and the postgraduate degrees of a Ph.D. in nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Each of UT Austin’s nursing degree programs is accredited by the nursing accrediting commission known as the CCNE. As a best school for nursing in Texas, UT Austin operates two wellness centers in Austin and nearby Travis county.
UT Austin – the University of Texas at Austin was chartered as the flagship campus of the University of Texas system in 1883 and is the flagship campus of the University of Texas system. UT Austin holds the distinction of being considered a public ivy league school. UT Austin’s student enrollment exceeds 51,000 students and ranks among the top eight largest schools in terms of student enrollment size.
Degrees: BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD
9. West Texas A&M University
The College of Nursing & Health Sciences at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) is ranked among the best nursing schools in Texas. WTAMU’s nursing schools, a best school for nursing in Texas, offer two baccalaureate programs – a pre-licensing BSN program and an RN to BSN program for licensed RNs. The MSN program offers degree candidates the option to select from a comprehensive MSN program or a Family Nurse Practitioner program. Best College Reviews recognizes WTAMU’s online baccalaureate health sciences as an editor’s choice.
West Texas A&M University was established in 1910 as a teacher’s training normal school. WTAMU’s suburban campus is located about a dozen miles from Amarillo and home to approximately 10,000 students. West Texas A&M University boasts that its Art Chair for two years (1916-1918) was famed artist Georgia O’Keefe.
Degrees: BSN, MSN
10. Texas State University
Texas State University’s College of Health Professions/St. David’s School of Nursing is considered one of the best nursing schools in Texas and the country by RegisteredNursing.org. NursingSchoolHub.com recognizes TSU’s School of Nursing as a top-serving nursing school serving a Hispanic student population. Texas State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program and a Master of Science in Nursing program. US News recognizes TSU’s graduate nursing programs among the best offered by this best school for nursing in Texas. Nursing students have the option to study abroad in Nicaragua.
Texas State University was established in 1899 as a teacher’s training school in the southwest section of the state of Texas. Texas State University is organized into ten colleges/schools that serve approximately 39,000 students. Texas State University holds the distinction of having the Lone Star State’s fifth-largest student enrollment.
Degrees: BSN, MSN
How is the Job Market for Nurses in Texas?
The job market in Texas for nurses in thriving. There’s a shortage of nurses throughout the country and in Texas. Therefore, nursing jobs in Texas are plentiful. Texas ranks among the top five states for the number of nursing jobs. As of 2018, there were 210,350 nursing jobs in Texas for RNs. The number of nursing jobs in Texas for nurse practitioners is also high. Texas ranks as one of the top five states for the number of positions for nurse practitioners as well.
Due to the demand for nurses, it’s easy for a person to find new grad RN jobs in Texas as well as new grad jobs for nurse practitioners.
Because of the need for nurses, a person may find RN jobs in Texas with relocation assistance. RN jobs in Texas with relocation assistance offer people financial help relocating to a place where nurses are needed.
Often, because of the shortage of nurses, a person may find RN jobs in Texas with sign on bonus. RN jobs in Texas with sign on bonus offer students a set amount of money for joining the staff as a nurse.
The biggest cities in Texas, such as Houston, are known for having an abundance of nursing jobs and offering sign on bonuses and relocation assistance.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Texas?
Before becoming a nurse, a person may wonder how much is the average RN in Texas salary. On average, the Texas nurses salary for an RN is $72,000. The RN salary in Texas per hour is equivalent to about $34.62 per hour. In comparison to the national average, an RN in Texas salary is slightly lower by a few thousand. The RN salary in Texas per hour is an average of $2 less than the national average.
However, the top RN in Texas salary can be higher since the top earners make over $90,000 in the U.S. A Texas nurses salary is higher for those who have a BSN. The BSN salary in Texas is higher since a person has additional schooling and training. In fact, if a person is asking how much do BSN nurses make in Texas, it’s several thousand more per year than a person with an associate’s. Those who are questioning how much do BSN nurses make in Texas will be surprised to know that the BSN salary in Texas is $9,000 higher than that of a nurse without a BSN.
A way to earn more is to become a nurse practitioner. The average NP salary in Texas is more than $100,000 per year. The NP salary in Texas in Houston is over $120,000 per year.
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners Make in Texas?
For those thinking about a master’s degree, a common concern is how much do nurse practitioners make in Texas. The answer to how much do nurse practitioners make in Texas is $108,660.
The nurse practitioner salary in Texas is slightly higher than the national average. The national average is $107,030, which means, the nurse practitioner salary in Texas is an average of $1,000 more per year. The nurse practitioner salary in Texas is usually higher in hospitals and outpatient care centers rather than in doctor’s offices. Some areas have a higher nurse practitioner salary in Texas, such as in the Big Thicket region of Texas where NP earn an average of $143,480.
Specializing can mean more money for a nurse practitioner. The neonatal nurse salary in Texas is higher than average. Besides the neonatal nurse salary in Texas is higher so is the pay for general nurse practitioners and various other specialties.
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