Top Nursing Schools in Texas [2023]
Published: September 1, 2022
By: Colleges of Distinction Staff
Jump to: Abilene Christian University | Angelo State University | Dallas Baptist University | Hardin-Simmons University | LeTourneau University | Lubbock Christian University | McMurry University | Texas Christian University | The University of Texas at Arlington | University of the Incarnate Word | Frequently Asked Questions
The path to becoming a nurse is undoubtedly a long and arduous process that requires hard work and dedication. With a shortage in capable and compassionate nurses, it is becoming increasingly important that nursing programs are well rounded, highly accredited, and focused on student success. Colleges of Distinction is proud to recognize schools with these very programs, ones that fully support future nurses along (and beyond!) their undergraduate journey. These institutions, already highly regarded for their commitment to the Four Distinctions, go the extra mile with their cutting-edge nursing degrees.
Our Texas top colleges for nursing offer students an exciting place to learn and thrive, as proven by the following:
Stability and excellence as core tenets of these nursing programs. Not only have these programs been awarding degrees for more than 10 years, but faculty are continually recognized for their impressive experience and research.
Validation from the ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) and/or CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) for their commitment to quality and student success.
Practical experiences that provide ample opportunities for students to apply their knowledge to the real world through internships, mentorship programs, and volunteer opportunities.
High mastery rates in such standardized exams as the NCLEX and HESI A2.
Dedicated advising and counseling available specifically for nursing students.
Liberal arts exposure to make students culturally competent, well-rounded individuals with superior critical thinking and leadership skills.
High-impact practices embedded into the curriculum.
Industry connections cultivated by faculty and staff to help students build their network and find meaningful work.
Abilene Christian University
Abilene, CA ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
The ACU experience – whether on the Abilene campus, in Study Abroad programs, at education centers, or through an ACU virtual community – helps students develop intellect, grow closer to God, prepare for a meaningful career, and address global challenges with a Christian worldview.
Many backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities are represented at ACU, where students from every state and more 40 countries live and learn together. This global community creates an opportunity for students to expand their worldview and to understand the global nature of their lives as Christians and future leaders alike. Students are stretched intellectually and are highly involved in learning through undergraduate research, the Honors College, internships, and team projects.
Acceptance rate 63% • Net price $28,725 • SAT Range 1010-1220 • Students submitting SAT scores 50%
Total Undergrad Population 5,291 • Setting City: Midsize • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 66% • Retention rate 76% • Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1
Angelo State University
San Angelo, TX ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
Angelo State University, a member of the Texas Tech University System, is a vibrant campus community of 10,000 students, known as the Ram Fam. The Ram Fam includes students from nearly every county in Texas, over 40 states, and close to 30 countries, and Angelo State has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education.
Angelo State offers over 100 majors and concentrations through six colleges, providing educational opportunities that prepare students for successful careers or entry into graduate and professional schools. ASU also boasts an unparalleled Honors Program and Center for International Studies, giving students further opportunities to expand their education through research and study abroad. With a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ASU students also have ultimate access to award-winning faculty.
Acceptance rate 78% • Net price $12,420 • SAT Range 920-1120 • Students submitting SAT scores 65%
Total Undergrad Population 10,775 • Setting City: Small • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 43% • Retention rate 71% • Student-to-faculty ratio 21:1
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas, TX ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
Founded in 1898, Dallas Baptist University provides world-class, Christ-centered higher education to more than 5,000 students. Service-learning is integrated into each degree plan, and a culture of mentoring pervades the campus.
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Students in Foundations of College Research courses, as well as some English courses, conduct research that is designed to contribute to the scholarly research in a variety of fields.
Instead of a descriptive approach to research that strictly reports on what is known, students are taught a Research Question approach. With this approach, students research a topic to determine a problem to be solved. Any subsequent papers or projects are created as a way to present findings that solve a stated research question.
Acceptance rate 99% • Net price $26,062 • SAT Range 980-1200 • Students submitting SAT scores 63%
Total Undergrad Population 4,247 • Setting City: Large • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 56% • Retention rate 76% • Student-to-faculty ratio 14:1
Hardin-Simmons University
Abilene, TX ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
Academic excellence persists as a priority at Hardin-Simmons University, as it has for more than a century. Small classes taught by experienced scholars give the opportunity for interactive learning. The institution’s commitment to excellence is best illustrated through the lives of graduates who traditionally excel in any career they choose.
Hardin-Simmons is a private, co-educational university located in Abilene, Texas. It was established in 1891 and is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.
MAJORS
HSU offers more than fifty majors through its Colleges of Liberal Arts and Business as well as its Schools of Education, Music, Nursing, Theology, and Sciences and Mathematics. There are also several available undergraduate programs that lead to one of eight master’s degrees through the University’s Graduate School.
Acceptance rate 91% • Net price $21,567 • SAT Range 960-1150 • Students submitting SAT scores 52%
Total Undergrad Population 2,128 • Setting City: Midsize • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 55% • Retention rate 65% • Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1
LeTourneau University
Longview, TX ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational Christian university that was founded in 1946. Named for its founder, R.G. LeTourneau, the university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. LeTourneau offers more than 140 graduate and undergraduate programs in aviation, engineering, education, business, psychology and counseling, arts and sciences, nursing, and theology and vocation. Students enjoy the opportunity to take classes in person, online, or in a dual credit format.
COLLABORATIVE LEARNING
Many courses include significant collaborative projects. Students participating in business courses may work to create full business plans, while engineering students participate on Senior design teams. As a part of those design teams, engineering students are given the opportunity to work with students from other engineering disciplines as well as students across campus to design and create inventions that can impact the world. LeTourneau’s theology students work together as a part of the “Loving Longview” class to engage with and make an impact in the Longview community.
Acceptance rate 56% • Net price $25,661 • SAT Range 1110-1330 • Students submitting SAT scores 60%
Total Undergrad Population 3,122 • Setting City: Small • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 56% • Retention rate 81% • Student-to-faculty ratio 15:1
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, TX ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
Lubbock Christian University is committed to educating leaders whose lives will have a lasting effect on their family, church, community, and jobs. Because classes are small in number, LCU can provide a wide range of enriching personal experiences.
At LCU, everything is based on faith. A student’s character is what forms a foundation for success, so LCU endeavors to prepare them to thrive in all aspects of their lives—from spiritual formation and intellectual growth to personal stewardship and leadership development.
Lubbock Christian University is a private, four-year comprehensive institution that promotes unique educational opportunities with a strategic focus on student success in four key areas: spiritual formation, intellectual growth, personal stewardship, and leadership development. Degree programs are offered for both bachelor’s degrees and master’s degrees. Since its founding in 1957 with Church of Christ affiliation, the school offers academic excellence in a Christian environment to all people regardless of their denominational affiliation.
Acceptance rate 97% • Net price $24,745 • SAT Range 970-1163 • Students submitting SAT scores 39%
Total Undergrad Population 1,664 • Setting City: Large • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 48% • Retention rate 68% • Student-to-faculty ratio 14:1
McMurry University
Abilene, TX ‧ Christian ‧ 4-year
McMurry University is guided by core values of faith, personal relationships, excellence, and service, all of which support students to become well-rounded, global leaders. McMurry offers robust research opportunities, a number of international study destinations, and a committed service-learning program.
McMurry students are fully engaged in their coursework, going above and beyond through research and personal relationships with faculty and staff. This individualized approach to learning provides each student with a support network that ensures success in both their coursework and their extracurriculars.
Importantly, students with a passion for giving back have a home at McMurry, where community service starts as early as orientation, extending into coursework, global trips, and even a Servant Leadership minor.
McMurry University prepares students of all disciplines to study, serve, and succeed in their personal and professional lives.
Acceptance rate 47% • Net price $20,963 • SAT Range 940-1130 • Students submitting SAT scores 57%
Total Undergrad Population 1,094 • Setting City: Midsize • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 35% • Retention rate 65% • Student-to-faculty ratio 11:1
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX ‧ Private ‧ 4-year
Texas Christian University offers many benefits of large universities, including rigorous academic programs, over 100 undergraduate majors, excellent high-tech facilities, professors who are leaders in their fields, and Division I athletics. Grounded in the liberal arts, Texas Christian University (TCU) can help individuals realize their creative potential, assuring that graduates are well prepared for professional careers.
NEW FACILITIES
With a teacher-scholar model that results in close mentoring relationships, the university offers university-grade experiences while maintaining many of the advantages of smaller liberal arts colleges. In the last decade, TCU has invested over $500 million in top-of-the-line facilities and in upgrading residence halls, classrooms, and laboratories. Recent facilities include the Campus Commons, four new, state-of-the-art dormitories, and a new academic building that houses the Honors College. All these fantastic new facilities surround a green space amphitheater in which students can mix and mingle. High-tech classrooms and wireless networking throughout campus provide easy, secure access to information technology resources.
Acceptance rate 48% • Net price $40,220 • SAT Range 1110-1320 • Students submitting SAT scores 39%
Total Undergrad Population 11,379 • Setting City: Large • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 82% • Retention rate 92% • Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1
The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, TX ‧ Public ‧ 4-year
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution in Arlington, Texas. Over 32,000 undergraduates, faculty, and staff volunteer nearly 700,000 hours of service each year. In the classroom undergrad students can choose from 65 majors. On campus there are nearly 300 student clubs and organizations to join.
Acceptance rate 88% • Net price $15,220 • SAT Range 1050-1250 • Students submitting SAT scores 78%
Total Undergrad Population 48,072 • Setting City: Large • Public 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 52% • Retention rate 76% • Student-to-faculty ratio 24:1
University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX ‧ Catholic ‧ 4-year
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, is a private, Catholic university that grants bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
With over 90 undergraduate degrees to choose from, an small student-to-faculty ratio and $150 million in financial aid awarded annually to admitted students, UIW strives to provide students with numerous opportunities to reach their academic goals and make a positive change in the world in a multitude of ways, including community service.
UIW Cardinals are located around the world. UIW has locations throughout the beautiful city of San Antonio, in South and Central Texas, and has two campuses in Mexico and a European Study Center in Strasbourg, France.
Acceptance rate 94% • Net price $21,161 • SAT Range 920-1160 • Students submitting SAT scores 35%
Total Undergrad Population 4,846 • Setting City: Midsize • Private 4-year
Graduation rate (6 year) 81% • Retention rate 73% • Student-to-faculty ratio 13:1 • Typical debt $27,000
What it’s like to attend nursing schools in Texas and other FAQ:
The average undergraduate tuition & fees for colleges in Texas is $8,600 for in-state students at public institutions, $24,890 for out-of-state students at public institutions, and $36,010 for students at private institutions.
Angelo State University has an average net price of $12,420 making it the least expensive nursing degree program in Texas that made our list.
Dallas Baptist University has an acceptance rate of 99%, making it the least exclusive college with a nursing program on our list.
University of Texas at Arlington has a median total debt after graduation of $26,000. This is the typical debt for a student who completed their undergraduate degree.
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