Looking for Colleges in Texas Houston or other cities in Texas? It is time that you begin researching everything you need to know about student loans, grants, financial aid and scholarships. With our easy step by step process, you will develop a clear picture of the options available to attend the school of your choice. Whether you are looking for Universities in Houston or public colleges, CA has all of the information about educational opportunities at your fingertips. Get more information regarding Colleges In Texas Houston, public colleges in houston, best colleges in houston & university of houston-downtown.

Preparing to go to a college or university in Texas requires getting familiar with the college or university you are going to. What really do you know about colleges in texas Houston? Read on to know more as the article below brings you the latest information on this.

You will also discover up to date, related posts on colleges in texas Houston, texas a&m university, texas state university, tier 1 universities in texas, texas tech university, university of houston, best universities in usa, rice university&worst colleges in texas 2019 on collegelearners.

best colleges in houston

Surprisingly enough, Houston, Texas is more equipped than you think when it comes to employment, affordable living, and higher education. There are a total of 75 post-secondary schools, which include 14 major institutions offering well over 400 programs. Now that is a lot of schooling. So, whatever career you are thinking about pursuing can most likely be achieved right here in Houston. But let’s not stop there. of all state-university graduates, 80.5% of alumni live and work within the region for at least a few years.

Why? Because Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies. It’s the 4th most populous city in the United States with over 2.2 million people. And, it’s ranked number 1 for best cities for manufacturing jobs and number 3 for cities creating the most technology jobs. The unemployment rate of 5.4% is less than the US average, and the average weekly salary of $1,247 is more than the US average. Impressive stats for a city with rocket ship problems.

Besides the top notch education prospects, Houston is also known for its energy sources, tasty cuisines, exciting rodeos, manufacturing, and of course, aeronautics. In your spare time, you can visit the Theatre District, the Sundance Cinema, Sam Houston Race Park, the Downtown Aquarium, or Space Center Houston. and don’t miss out on the Houston Livestock Show and Radio, the world’s largest livestock show. Whatever piques your interest in or out of the classroom, you can find it here. Houston, we have no problems moving here and never looking back.

Best Four Year Universities in Houston

Rice University Houston, TXImage by @kasandrakeyes

Rice University is a private institution in Houston, Texas that has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 7,000 students. The university has a 300-acre campus that abuts the Houston Zoo and Texas Medical Center. Students take classes that follow a semester-based academic calendar, and the university provides merit and need-based scholarships to most students. 

Rice has a rich academic history including the Cao Center for Asian Studies, the Boniuk Institute, and the Ken Kennedy Institute of Information Technology. Students at Rice can explore Houston’s Museum District, walk along Hermann Park, and take advantage of Houston’s METRORail system which is just across from the main campus. 

Many students benefit from Rice’s small classes and 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The university also provides students with over 360 undergraduate and graduate degree options in over 60 academic departments. Outside of the classroom, students interested in media and journalism can participate in a variety of student-led organizations like The Rice Thresher, The Campanile, and KTRU Rice Radio. Notable alumni include pilot Howard Hughes, writer Joyce Carol Oates, and American investor John Doerr.Based on 1 ReviewsLearn MoreUniversity of Houston Houston, TX

Founded in 1927, the University of Houston is a public institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of roughly 45,000. The school has expanded since its inception and now provides a range of programs through its 14 academic colleges. The University of Houston tuition and fees for in-state students are about half the cost of those for out-of-state students, and the school offers many merit and need-based scholarships for applicants that fulfill scholarship criteria. Students that attend the University of Houston have access to a variety of student organizations and networking opportunities, athletic teams, and four on-campus libraries. 

The university is in an urban setting with a dense campus that covers over 650 acres with classes that follow a semester-based academic calendar. The current student-faculty ratio at the University of Houston is 23:1, which is typical for a large, flagship state university.

Degree                     

University of St Thomas offers 76 degree programs. It’s a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 822 students graduated with students earning 485 Master’s degrees, 312 Bachelor’s degrees, 24 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Certificate.Based on 1 ReviewsLearn MorePrairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University offers 74 degree programs. It’s a medium sized, public, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2019, 1,536 students graduated with students earning 1,130 Bachelor’s degrees, 390 Master’s degrees, and 16 Doctoral degrees.Based on 0 ReviewsLearn MoreHouston Baptist University Houston, TX

Houston Baptist University offers 137 degree programs. It’s a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 850 students graduated with students earning 457 Bachelor’s degrees, 378 Master’s degrees, 14 Doctoral degrees, and 1 Certificate.Based on 0 ReviewsLearn MoreThe College of Health Care Professions-Northwest Houston, TX

The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest offers 29 degree programs. It’s a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 741 students graduated with students earning 391 Certificates, 306 Associate’s degrees, and 44 Bachelor’s degrees.Based on 0 ReviewsLearn MoreUniversity of Houston-Clear Lake Houston, TX

University of Houston-Clear Lake offers 97 degree programs. It’s a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2019, 2,424 students graduated with students earning 1,488 Bachelor’s degrees, 914 Master’s degrees, and 22 Doctoral degrees.Based on 2 ReviewsLearn MoreUniversity of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX

University of Houston-Downtown offers 71 degree programs. It’s a large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 3,917 students graduated with students earning 3,014 Bachelor’s degrees, 588 Master’s degrees, and 315 Certificates.

Remington College-North Houston Campus Houston, TX

Remington College-North Houston Campus offers 10 degree programs. It’s a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 247 students graduated with students earning 196 Certificates, 48 Associate’s degrees, and 3 Bachelor’s degrees.Based on 0 ReviewsLearn MoreTexas Southern University Houston, TX

Texas Southern University offers 83 degree programs. It’s a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 1,721 students graduated with students earning 1,109 Bachelor’s degrees, 314 Master’s degrees, and 298 Doctoral degrees.

HOUSTON COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

More than 315,000 students are enrolled in more than 500 degree and certification programs at 100-plus colleges, community colleges, technical and trade schools.

The Greater Houston area has 14 major institutions of higher learning:

Baylor College of Medicine 

Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, the only private medical school in the Greater Southwest, is recognized as a premier academic health science center and is known for excellence in education, research and patient care. In 2011, U.S. News & World Report ranked BCM as one of the top 25 medical schools for research. Currently, BCM trains more than 3,000 medical, graduate, nurse anesthesia, and physician assistant students, as well as residents and post-doctoral fellows.

Houston Baptist University 

Since its inception in 1960, HBU has grown into a thriving community of faith and scholarship.

Houston Community College System 

HCC, the largest community college system on the Texas Gulf Coast, is comprised of five regional colleges.

Lone Star College  

Lone Star College is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation. The LSCS provides 180 programs to nearly 95,000 students seeking Associate Degrees, certifications for work in high-demand industries, and credits that enable them to transfer anywhere.

Prairie View A&M University 

Prairie View A&M is the second oldest public institution of higher education in Texas and the first state supported college in Texas for African-Americans.

Rice University

The Princeton Review, Newsweek College Guide, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Worthmagazine, Financial Times, U.S. News and World Report and the Almanac of Architecture and Design all rank Rice as a top institution in the country.

Sam Houston State University 

Serving 16,795 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, SHSU’s Carnegie classification places it in the top 7 percent of U.S. higher education institutions.

San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College District’s three locations offer more than 140 degrees and certificates.

South Texas College of Law

One of the largest private law schools in the country, South Texas College of Law provides a diverse body of students with the opportunity to obtain an exceptional legal education, preparing graduates to serve their community and the profession with distinction.

Texas Southern University

TSU is one of two comprehensive Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in the world.

University of Houston 

Chosen as one of the nation’s best colleges for undergraduate education by The Princeton Review in 2011. Nationally recognized programs at UH include: Creative Writing, Health Law, Intellectual Property Law, Business Administration (undergraduate) and Space Architecture, the only graduate program of its kind in the world. More than 77 UH students and coaches have participated in the Olympics, earning 33 medals (19 gold).

University of Houston – Clear Lake

More than 7,700 students enrolled each semester, with nearly half of those students enrolled in graduate study.

University of Houston – Victoria

The University of Houston – Victoria recently opened its UHV Katy Campus at 2002 W. Grand Parkway N., Building 2 (off TX-99 and Franz Road, near I-10). As part of the UH System, UHV offers face-to-face programs in Victoria and Katy, as well as online classes that students can take from anywhere. Courses lead to 70 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and concentrations in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professionals & Human Development. Since its founding in 1973, UHV has provided students with a quality university education from excellent faculty at an affordable price. 

University of Houston – Downtown 

UHD is a publicly-supported, urban university located in Houston’s central business district. UHD is considered one of the most ethnically diverse liberal arts institutions in the southwest, a distinction that indicates the student body accurately reflects the Houston community’s wealth of cultures, languages and nationalities. The University offers all students a specially tailored opportunity for quality higher education, as well as small classes and personal interest from faculty.

UHD offers baccalaureate degrees in more than 50 areas and seven master’s degree programs. As one of the four distinct and separate components of the University of Houston System, UHD offers major opportunities and access to unique educational experiences for students across the Greater Houston area.

University of St. Thomas 

Catholic institution with more than 3,700 students from 40 states and 58 countries. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report, The Cardinal Newman Society and The Princeton Review Guide.

University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth)

Located in the world renowned Texas Medical Center, UTHealth brings together the School of Dentistry, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, McGovern Medical School, the School of Public Health, the School of Nursing, the School of Biomedical Informatics, the UT Harris County Psychiatric Center and the Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases.

houston community college

Houston Community College (HCC), also known as Houston Community College System (HCCS) is a community college system that operates community colleges in Houston, Missouri City, Greater Katy, and Stafford in Texas. It is notable for actively recruiting internationally and for the large number of international students enrolled, over 5,700 in 2015. Its open enrollment policies, which do not require proficiency in English, are backed by a full-time 18-month English proficiency program and remedial courses.

As defined by the Texas Legislature, the official service area of HCCS includes the following school districts:^[3]

• the Houston Independent School District,
• the Stafford Municipal School District,
• the Spring Branch Independent School District (included in service area by state law, but is not part of the tax base^{[citation needed]}),
• the Alief Independent School District,
• the Katy Independent School District,
• the North Forest Independent School District (now consolidated into Houston ISD),
• the portions of the Fort Bend Independent School District located within the cities of Houston, Missouri City, and Pearland.

Central College

Willie Lee Gay Hall (South Campus)

• Central Campus (Houston)
  • HCC Central Campus, in Midtown Houston, is served by a METRORail station, Ensemble/HCC Station. Houston Academy for International Studies of Houston ISD opened on HCC’s Central Campus in Fall 2006.
• South Campus (Houston)
  • HCC South Campus is in the Central Southwest area of Houston, and is served by the HCC South Campus bus station.

Coleman College of Health Sciences

• Coleman College of Health Sciences (Houston) (located in the Texas Medical Center district)

Northeast College

Northline Campus (Northside)

• Codwell Hall Campus (Houston)
• Northline Campus (Houston)
  • The HCC Northline Campus is the site of HISD’s North Houston Early College High School.
• Pinemont Campus (Houston)

Northwest College

Houston Community College Spring Branch (Memorial City, near Spring Branch)

• Alief Campus (Houston)
  • The Alief Campus is the site of Alief ISD’s Alief Early College High School
• Alief Continuing Education Center (unincorporated Harris County)
• Katy Campus
• Spring Branch Campus

Southeast College

Fraga Campus (Near Downtown)

 Southeast College is home to two separate campuses in different parts of the HCC Southeast service area.

Eastside Campus (Houston)

It is in Pecan Park.

Felix Fraga Academic Campus (Houston)

The Felix Fraga Academic Campus is located a mile and a quarter east of Downtown Houston at 301 N. Drennan St.

The campus opened in January, 2010 and was named for Felix Fraga by the HCC Board of Trustees in honor of his dedication to the educational, social, and economic success of the young people of Houston’s southeast community and his devotion to improving their neighborhood. Fraga served as an HISD trustee and as a member of the Houston City Council. Today he is the Vice President of External Affairs for the Neighborhood Centers, Inc.

The Felix Fraga Campus hosts classes to over 1,500 students every semester. Its flagship offerings include Maritime Logistics, Pre-Engineering, and other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) classes. Most core courses are also available.

In partnership with HISD, the Felix Fraga Campus is also the host location of HISD’s East Early College High School.

public colleges in houston

Houston is the fourth largest city in the country, recognized for its many academic institutions. There are over 40 colleges and universities in the Houston area, many with distance learning programs. Inhabitants of this culturally diverse city speak over 90 languages. Academic achievement is valued in Houston: among its residents, 28.7 percent hold at least a bachelor’s degree, which is higher than the state average and slightly higher than the national average.

Students wishing to pursue a certificate or degree program in Houston have numerous options. Of the three community college districts serving the Houston area, two are among the country’s 10 largest institutions: the Houston Community College system and the Lone Star College system. The third school is San Jacinto College in southeastern Houston.

The largest public institution of higher education in Houston is the University of Houston, the flagship institution of the University of Houston System, with over 40,000 students. The city is home to four separate state universities in all, including the University of Houston-Downtown and the University of Houston-Clear Lake. A historically African American school, Texas Southern University, is located in Houston’s Third Ward.

Houston has several private universities, including the University of St. Thomas, which is the city’s only Catholic university. Rice University is a nationally recognized research university. In addition to the two-year and four-year colleges in Houston, there are many smaller independent schools and career colleges. Special focus institutions include the College of Biblical Studies Houston and the Art Institute of Houston. ITT Technical Institute has two local branches, Houston North and Houston West.

Some of the Colleges & Universities Located in Houston:

INSTITUTION	TYPE	TRAINING/DEGREES OFFERED
Houston Community College	Public	Associate degrees, continuing education, adult education
San Jacinto College	Public	Certificates, associate degrees, technical degrees, continuing education
University of Houston	Public	Certificates, credentials, undergraduate and graduate degrees, general education
University of Houston – Downtown	Public	Undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees
Texas Southern University	Public	Undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees
University of Houston – Clear Lake	Public	Certificates, Air Force ROTC, undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees
Rice University	Not for Profit (Private)	Continuing studies program, executive education program, undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, MBA program
The University of Texas – Health Science Center at Houston	Public	Certificates, undergraduate and graduate degrees, doctorates, RN, DDS, MD and other health care degrees
University of St. Thomas	Not for Profit (Private)	Pre-professional programs in law, dental, medical, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician’s assistant and veterinary studies
Houston Baptist University	Not for Profit (Private)	Undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees
Remington College – North Houston Campus	Not for Profit (Private)	Diplomas, associate and bachelor’s degrees
Remington College-Houston Campus	Not for Profit (Private)	Diplomas, associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees
College of Biblical Studies- Houston	Not for Profit (Private)	Certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees

Online Colleges and Universities in Houston

Spotlight University of Houston-Downtown – Houston, Texas

Access to education is a top priority for the University of Houston-Downtown, which offers online for-credit and non-credit programs as well as evening and weekend classes at multiple locations. As a result, UHD undergraduates are able to balance work and academics: about half of them attend school part-time, and about one-fifth of their courses are delivered online. UHD’s focus on e-learning follows the lead of the University of Houston system, which boasts a total of 99 online degrees and certificates across its different campuses.

University of Houston-Downtown offers undergraduate degree completion programs in several disciplines, ranging from professional writing to psychology to interdisciplinary studies. Business-related majors make up a sizable chunk of the online programs, with choices such as enterprise information systems, finance and supply chain management. Also available online are three master’s degree programs, which cover nonprofit management, criminal justice and teaching. To boost the career skills of students, UHD online also offers noncredit certificates in areas such as land management and AutoCAD computerized design.

UHD provides different choices for distance education, including Internet-based courses, live video classes at a variety of locations, or hybrid courses combining online delivery and face-to-face time with faculty and peers. Students log in to the Blackboard learning management system through their CougarNet accounts. The UHD website posts video tutorials on distance learning, including tips for troubleshooting and using the secure web-based application for test-taking.

Students in Houston have many opportunities to learn online. The Distance Education program at Houston Community College allows students to take some of the same classes taught on campus. However, distance education students complete work through Eagle Online, an online learning management system. Texas Southern University (TSU) offers several certificates online in computers and business management. TSU’s graduate options include online MBA, MPA, M.Ed. and Executive Master of Administration of Justice (eMAJ) programs.

Other area schools have online course options as well. The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice University offers online classes in professional development. The University of Houston at Clear Lake has numerous online certificate programs and bachelor’s or master’s degree programs in areas such as psychology, finance and instructional technology. Houston Baptist University provides a handful of undergraduate online courses for students to add to their campus classes. In addition, the school has four fully accredited online graduate programs for students who may need flexible scheduling, including a Master of Arts in Apologetics. Find Online Programs Now »

Top Industries, Careers and Employers

According to the Population and Employment Forecast of the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP), many of the businesses responsible for economic growth are energy-related, as the city is a global center for oil and gas industries. Houston is home to 40 of the nation’s 145 publicly traded oil and gas exploration and production firms. However, Houston also has many other industries that are essential to the economy. Some of the top industries, according to Houston.gov, include:

• Oil and gas exploration
• Basic petroleum refining
• Petrochemical production
• Medical research and health care delivery
• Technology: computer, aerospace, environmental, etc.
• Government: city, state and federal
• International import and export

The city has a population of over 2.1 million, with a diverse workforce employed in a wide range of occupations. Manufacturers’ News listed Houston as one of the top U.S. Manufacturing Cities for 2014. Monster.com named Houston as the city with the Highest Demand for Engineering Jobs in 2013. GHP’s research found the three leading areas in terms of future job growth in Metro Houston to be:

• Professional/business services
• Trade/transportation/utilities
• Educational services

Health services is also one of the fastest growing industries in Texas. In addition, GHP projects a surge of jobs in accommodations/food service as well as mining and logging. Among the high-growth industries, fields such as health care, education, engineering and high tech usually require specialized postsecondary training for potential employees.

Colleges & Universities in Houston

COLLEGE	SIZE	TUITION	TYPE
University of Houston	45,001	$5,173	Public
University of Houston-Downtown	16,341	$3,720	Public
Texas Southern University	11,063	$1,376	Public
University of Houston-Clear Lake	10,338	$4,080	Public
Rice University	6,503	$34,900	Not For Profit (Private)
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston	5,124	$6,120	Public
University of St Thomas Houston	4,430	$24,960	Not For Profit (Private)
Houston Baptist University	2,954	$24,145	Not For Profit (Private)
Baylor College of Medicine	1,489	N/A	Not For Profit (Private)
South Texas College of Law	1,399	N/A	Not For Profit (Private)
Remington College-North Houston Campus	1,137	$15,193	Not For Profit (Private)
Remington College-Houston Campus	823	$15,193	Not For Profit (Private)
College of Biblical Studies-Houston	596	$8,676	Not For Profit (Private)

nursing colleges in texas houston

Choosing the right nursing program can make or break your career. No pressure. Seriously, though, you need a school with a teaching style that works for you, high NCLEX pass rates, a reasonable teacher-to-student ratio, and tuition that won’t break the bank. If you live around Houston, choosing one of the great nursing schools in Houston will also be a plus.

To make it a little easier, we’ve scoured the nation’s top nursing schools–the schools that offer the most value while turning out successful nurses who consistently perform at the top of their game and make their career goals a reality. Then we’ve narrowed it to nursing schools surrounding the Houston, Texas area, so you can explore options that work for you without moving across the country.

Most convenient nursing schools in Houston for residents.

These schools are perfect for Houston residents who don’t want to commute outside of the Houston city limits.

1. The University of Texas Health School of Nursing

It’s a mouthful, but the Cizik School of Nursing, part of the campus of the University of Texas, has a lot to offer. Located in Houston, the UT Health School of Nursing has one of the state’s highest NCLEX pass rates–and remarkably affordable tuition. A variety of BSN Bridge programs make it possible to pursue your BSN on your timetable. UT Health School also offers several master’s programs in nursing, if you feel called to specialize further once you earn your BSN. Find out more about their nursing programs here.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.6%
• In-State Tuition: $14,174
• Accreditation: Yes

2. Texas Woman’s University Houston Center

The Texas Woman’s University nursing program has three locations: Denton, Dallas, and Houston. In Houston, you can choose between a full BSN program, a BSN weekend program, or an RN to BSN program. The TWU Houston Center is an entire campus in one building, giving students easy access to all labs, simulation centers, lecture halls, and more in central Houston. It’s also one of the most affordable programs in the state of Texas, while retaining high academic and professional standards. Definitely worth your consideration!

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 92%
• In-State Tuition: $6,450
• Accredited: Yes

3. Prairie View Texas A&M University

Prairie View Texas A&M is a historically Black university with an outstanding BSN program as well as graduate and doctorate-level nursing programs. A beautiful campus, vibrant student life, and great location make it a tempting choice for those who want to stay in the city of Houston. Plus, they have over 100 years of experience training Texas nurses.

• NCEX Pass Rate: 88%
• In-State Tuition: $11,639
• Accredited: Yes

4. University of St. Thomas – Texas

The University of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university in Houston with Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program that caters to nurses at many points in their careers. State-of-the-art facilities, a relatively small program size, and an emphasis on the nurse as a healing presence in every space they work sets them apart from many larger public institutions.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.5%
• In-State Tuition: $12,193 (after average financial aid received)
• Accreditation: Yes

5. Houston Baptist University

A private Christian university, Houston Baptist is a little pricier than some of the other nursing schools in Houston, but a significant amount of financial aid is available to offset those costs. Their Department of Nursing offers both BSN and BSN-honors programs and include general classes in their nursing degree plans. A significantly higher-than-average NCLEX pass rate and a low student-to-teacher ration speak highly of the faculty’s engagement with students.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 86.8%
• In-State Tuition: $30,480
• Accreditation: Yes

6. Chamberlain College of Nursing

Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a three-year BSN degree with RN to BSN or Military to BSN options. Their on-site Simcare Center allows nurses to practice clinical skills under the eye of experienced nurses and educators, and accelerated programs help students enter the workforce as quickly as possible by attending school full-time through the summer, if desired. Solid NCLEX pass rates and relatively low tuition makes Chamberlain an attractive choice for many students.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 78.4%
• In-State Tuition: $16,200
• Accreditation: Yes

Nearby Nursing Schools

These schools aren’t actually in the Houston city limits, but they’re an easy commute from the city. You’ll find schools with spellbinding grounds, dedicated faculty, and academically rigorous schools in this neck of the woods.

1. University of Houston School of Nursing

The University of Houston School of Nursing consistently boasts extremely high NCLEX pass rates–100% for each of the last three years, which puts them among the top 5% in the nation. They offer both an RN to BSN and a first degree BSN program, they have a beautiful state-of-the-art simulation center, and their staff and professors are known for going above and beyond for their students. The UH School of Nursing is just down the road from Houston in Sugar Land.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $11,989
• Accreditation: Yes

2. Stephen F. Austin State University

About two hours up the road in the heart of the hill country, you’ll find a picturesque little town called Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches is home to Stephen F. Austin State University, a hidden jewel of a state school. The nursing program at Stephen F. Austin is small but mighty, turning out well-prepared nurses every year. A remarkably strong NCLEX pass rate and a high level of support for nursing students at every level of their education set Stephen F. Austin apart from the crowd.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 96%
• In-State Tuition: $10,288

3. Texas A&M HSC School of Nursing

Texas A&M is one of the state’s largest schools, yet it consistently turns out some of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the state. A student-to-faculty ratio of 1:10, a relatively small program size, and beautifully equipped, recently updated state-of-the-art facilities mean you’re learning from dedicated teachers in the best possible environment. The Texas A&M HSC School of Nursing is located about an hour and a half from Houston–not a bad drive.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 99%
• In-State Tuition: $11,237

4. Texas Lutheran University

Located in Seguin, Texas, a little over two and a half hours away from Houston, Texas Lutheran University offers a perfect NLEX pass rate, a beautiful campus, and an attractive location. This private Lutheran university isn’t as expensive as many of its other private university counterparts, making it a great value for the education you’ll receive. TLU’s nursing program features small classes and even smaller clinical groups of just 6-8 students facilitate a warm, supportive learning environment with room for building relationships with highly qualified teachers. TLU offers a pre-licensure BSN as part of its ample Health Sciences School.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $18,000
• Accreditation: Yes

5. University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing

The UTMB School of Nursing has a 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate, and it’s near the beach. What more could you want? How about exceptional faculty, a vision to become the best nursing school in the U.S., and exceptionally high student reviews? You’ve got it.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 95%
• In-State Tuition: $17,242
• Accreditation: Yes

6. East Texas Baptist University

East Texas Baptist University is a relatively small, private liberal-arts university associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Their nursing program is small but mighty, with dedicated faculty, a low student-to-teacher ratio, and plenty of opportunities to shine. ETBU offers a B.S. in nursing, a prelicensure BSN, and an RN to BSN program.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
• In-State Tuition: $21,000
• Accreditation: Yes

7. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston is just over an hour from the city of Houston, and its nursing program has plenty to recommend it. A strong NCLEX pass rate, a long history of success and tradition, and a dedication to growth are just a few qualities that make Sam Houston’s program unique. Sam Houston offers a pre-nursing program, a B.S. in Nursing, an RN to BSN program, and an LVN to RN program, so no matter where you are in your career, chances are you can find a fit that works for you.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 90%
• In-State Tuition: $13,000
• Accreditation: Yes

8. Lamar University

Located about an hour up the road in Beaumont, Lamar University offers both in-residence and online classes, including a nursing program with completely online coursework. A strong NCLEX pass rate and the flexibility for students to build an academic schedule that fits their lives make Lamar an attractive choice for many students. Lamar offers an RN to BSN program, an RN to MSN, and a couple of other MSN degrees for those planning to take their nursing education to the next level.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 90%
• In-State Tuition: $13,000
• Accreditation: Yes

9. University of Texas at Arlington

Another UT School, The University of Texas nursing program at Arlington is also a great choice with its own set of perks. UT Arlington offers a pre-licensure BSN, an RN to BSN program, and an accelerated program with part of the classes completed online. They also offer a competitive Honors Degree Program that offers more scholarships, priority clinical placement, extended library privileges, internships and research apprenticeships, and opportunities for independent study, among others.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 89%
• In-State Tuition: $14,000
• Accreditation: Yes

10. University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin offers a comprehensive nursing program including an ADN to BSN track and a BSN track, as well as master’s and doctorate-level training. The program was recently awarded a prestigious professional nursing education award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and they maintain a consistently high NCLEX pass rate. Students love their caring faculty–and the school’s recently renovated classrooms and facilities.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 90%
• In-State Tuition: $18,000
• Accreditation: Yes

11. University of Mary-Hardin Baylor

The University of Mary-Hardin Baylor is one of the highest-ranking Christian universities in the state of Texas, and its nursing program is one of the oldest in the state. UMHB’s Scott & White School of Nursing offers students a state-of-the-art simulation center and beautiful facilities, opportunities to study abroad and serve others, and excellent faculty–but they’re also one of the most expensive schools on this list. UMHB offers a BSN and RN to BSN program, as well as graduate and doctoral programs in nursing. UMHB is about three hours from Houston center.

• NCLEX Pass Rate: 80%
• In-State Tuition: $24,000
• Accreditation: Yes

Didn’t find what you were looking for here? Find out about other incredible nursing schools in Texas.

Ranking Methodology

The programs listed here include the best Texas nursing programs within about 3 hours of Houston. Schools are ranked according to their NCLEX pass rates (found here)  and their cost of tuition, which we researched and listed as closely as possible to the average price paid after financial aid per year of school. Of course, these prices vary depending on the amount of financial aid you receive, your residence status, and the year in which you apply and enroll. Please realize, too, that there’s more to a school than their tuition costs and NCLEX pass rates. The amount of financial aid you qualify for might make a more “expensive” school the most affordable option for you, and a lower NCLEX pass rate doesn’t necessarily mean that school offers lower-quality instruction.