The best nursing schools in Dallas offer Texas nurses programs for career advancement and also accredited programs for new nurses. For those who are interested in enrolling in nursing programs in Dallas Texas, understanding the level of competition you are up against can be imperative to ensure that you are prepared to apply. In terms of nursing schools in the Dallas area, they intend to be incredibly competitive. Although there are plenty of programs in the Dallas area, there is also a large population of people who live in the area, as well as many people who aspire to become nurses.
Experts assert that Dallas Texas has three of the most nurse-friendly hospitals in the entire country. Therefore, the Dallas area is known for being incredibly supportive of those who work in the nursing field. Additionally, the Dallas area is known for providing its nurses with amazing benefits packages. In other words, not only is this an area in which you can make a lot of money, but you can also perfect your skills in order to pursue higher positions in the future.
How We Ranked the Top Nursing Schools in Dallas
To rank the top nursing schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area (one of the busiest and fastest-growing in the nation), TopRNtoBSN editors focused on accredited and trusted institutions. These are ranked according to a combination of cost, student satisfaction, and reputation.
1. Texas Woman’s University
Texas Woman’s University offers a variety of nursing programs and is recognized as a leading nursing school in Dallas Texas. TWU’s nursing programs are available as distance learning courses, on-campus courses, or a hybrid combination of both delivery methods. Each level of the baccalaureate degree, master’s, and doctoral program has accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). TWU nursing programs are offered on all three of the school’s Texas campuses.
- traditional bachelor of science in nursing BSN
- BSN Weekend and Evening program
- RN to BSN
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with 6 tracks
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)
Texas Woman’s University was established in 1991. TWU operates three campuses – one academic and two dedicated to health sciences. The school’s suburban campuses cover over 250 acres and serve more than 10,200 students studying for degree programs offered by the university’s six colleges or schools. TWU is the largest institution of higher education dedicated primarily to women.
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2. Texas Christian University
Texas Christian University’s Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers nursing degree programs from bachelor’s to master to doctoral and Post studies APRNs from its Fort Worth, Texas location. These varying-level nursing degrees have all received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. TCU offers study abroad opportunities, nursing camps, and many nursing study areas that include nurse educator, nurse leader, BSN to DNP in several specialties, oncology, nurse administrators, and post-master’s DNP, to name a few.
Texas Christian University was established in 1873. TCU maintains a religious affiliation with the Christian Church – Church of the Disciples. TCU’s urban campus is located a few miles from downtown in Fort Worth is home to more than 10,000 students. TCU’s nursing programs consistently rank among the top 100 national universities. The mascot for the Texas Christian University reflects the state reptile – the super-frog.
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3. The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation offers many nursing programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate levels. UT Arlington’s nursing school is named a Nursing Center of Excellence by the national league for Nursing. Among the best Dallas nursing school, UT Arlington provides nursing education opportunities to all students, either online or on their Arlington campus.
The University of Texas (UT Arlington) was a member school of the Texas A&M University System but is now a member of the University of Texas System. UT Arlington was founded in 1895 as Arlington College. UT Arlington’s urban campus covers over 400 acres and serves nearly 44,000 students. The University of Texas at Arlington is the fourth largest institution of higher education in northern Texas.
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4. Tarrant County College
Tarrant County College is considered among the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas that offers several nursing programs – an AAS (an Associate of Applied Science) as well as an accelerated program developed specifically for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), paramedics, and military medics. Students graduating from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas are eligible to sit for the national registered nursing exam – NCLEX – RN. Tarrant County College boasts a pass rate for first-time NCLEX exam takers of 88%.
Tarrant County College opened in 1965. The school operates five campuses, plus the schools’ distance learning options. Tarrant County College’s urban campus and virtual community serve the entire area of Tarrant county. Tarrant County College holds the distinction of being about the fifth largest community college or university in the state of Texas.
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ABSN vs BSN: How to Choose an Accelerated or Traditional BSN
5. Southwestern Adventist University
Southwestern Adventist University offers nursing programs with personal mentors and small class sizes in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Nursing (BSN) or an on-campus/online delivery of a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science (BSN) program. Students graduating from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas find rewarding careers as a nurse-midwife, educator, flight nurse, school nurse, or case manager, to name a few. Degree candidates enrolled at one of the best nursing schools in Dallas who choose to sit for the NCLEX – RN exam have a passing rate of 92%.
Southwestern Adventist University began as Keene Academy in 1893. The Seventh-day Adventists established the school, which is has received religious accreditation from the (AAA) Adventist Accrediting Association. The school’s rural campus covers more than 100 acres and serves more than 750 students. The town of Keene is a Seventh Day Adventist town and many of the businesses close on the sabbath.
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6. Mountain View College
Mountain View College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that students can complete in about two years, with twelve credit units per semester. This ADN program from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas offers degree graduates rewarding careers as Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) or a Registered Nurses (RN) if they successfully pass the nation NCLEX exam. The associate’s nursing program from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas has developed guided pathways for transfer students, plus additional certificates in vocational nursing or perioperative skills.
Mountain View College (MVC) is a community college that opened in 1970. Mountain View College is a member school of the Community College District of Dallas, TX. MVC’s urban campus is home to nearly 20,000 students, with more than half studying for a degree program. The campus of Mountain View College is also home to a high school for gifted students entering high school early.
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7. Collin College
Collin College’s Division of Nursing offers a trio of nursing programs from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas. Among the best nursing schools in Dallas, Collin College provides an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Nursing, a Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and a program for Licensed Vocational Nurses(LVNs) to bridge to Registered Nurses (RNs). Collin College’s nursing programs have received accreditation from the ACEN, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Pass rates for Collin College’s nursing graduates hover at about 90 percent.
Collin College started in 1985. Since its inception, student enrollment has increased to nearly 60,000 students studying for degrees, certificates, or enrolled in continuing education classes. Highlight – Collin College serves students and working learners who reside in Rockwall or Colling County – to north/northeast of the city of Dallas.
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8. Brookhaven College
Brookhaven College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (AND) degree with a comprehensive curriculum that includes lectures, clinical rotations, and lab studies. This nursing program is offered by one of the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas. Students can complete the program in only sixteen months if the nursing student carries twelve credit units each semester. Students who graduate from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas find rewarding careers as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or, if they pass the national Registered Nurse exam – NCLEX–RN – as Registered Nurses. Job opportunities are available in retirement communities, hospitals, rehab facilities, clinics, physician’s offices, or schools, to name a few.
Brookhaven College opened in 1978. The school operates independently but is a member school of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). The coursework offered by Brookhaven leads to an associate-level degree. However, students can also apply the credits to a four-year degree. Brookhaven College is a member school of the DCCCD and houses an early entrance high school on its campus.
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9. El Centro College
El Centro College offers a nursing program that prepares graduates for an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing that students can finish in about 24 months. Furthermore, it is among the best nursing schools in Dallas Texas. El Centro College also offers an LV to Registered Nurse (RN) bridge degree program that students can complete in 1.5 years. These nursing programs also prepare nursing students to enter a four-year university to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
El Centro College opened in 1966. Today, the school operates three campuses in downtown Dallas. One location is on the National Register of Historic Places because it was the famous Sanger-Harris department store. El Centro College is a member school of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD).
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10. The University of Dallas
The University of Dallas’s Constantin College of Liberal Arts offers a cooperative degree program with Texas Woman’s University’s (TWU) College of Nursing. This degree is one of the best in Dallas and the country. The total credits required to graduate from one of the best nursing schools in Dallas is 175, split among UD and TWU.
The University of Dallas started in 1956. Additionally, the university maintains a religious affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church. The school’s campus covers more than 725 acres and serves more than 2,400 students studying for various academic degrees offered by the school’s academic units. About 80% of students at the University of Dallas in a recent graduating class, studied abroad.
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Are Nursing Schools in Dallas Competitive?
Many schools in the nursing programs in Dallas Texas have point-based admissions systems. This means every applicant gains points based on different areas such as prerequisites, cumulative GPA, the admissions test score, and some even assign points based on in-county residency. Therefore, applicants must have high GPAs and they must have completed as many prerequisites as possible. Moreover, admission to top nursing schools in Dallas tends to be highly affordable, which makes attending nursing school in Dallas a very comfortable option for many people.
Nevertheless, if you are seeking nursing schools in Dallas Texas with no waiting list, there are various options. In general, many nursing schools in Dallas Texas do not keep applications from one semester to the next. Therefore, you will likely not have to be on a waiting list, rather, you will have to apply and compete with a high-level of applicants each semester.
How is the Job Market for Nurses in Dallas?
For those who wish to work as a nurse in Dallas Texas, there are plenty of perks of doing so. In fact, Dallas is one of several cities in the state of Texas that is supportive of their nursing staff. This makes nursing jobs in Dallas TX ideal because if you ever choose to relocate, you can easily move to a different city and remain in the state of Texas. Nurses do not need to acquire new credentials or meet other requirements from different states.
Moreover, no matter if you are an RN or nurse practitioner jobs in Dallas Texas, there are plenty of opportunities for growth in the field. Nurses can also choose whether they wish to work in urban areas, suburban, or rural facilities, making it a great market for those who enjoy having options or wish to become more versatile in terms of their areas of expertise. Therefore, no matter if you are looking for an RN position or nurse practitioner job in Dallas Texas, there are plenty of opportunities for you to secure gainful employment.
How Much Do Nurses Make in the Dallas Area?
If you are wondering about the average nurse salary in Dallas, this tends to vary. Firstly, the average salary of an RN in Dallas Texas is around $32.04 per hour. However, given that nurses are in high demand in the area, most nurses also earn up to $12,000 in overtime pay every year. Additionally, the amount of your nurse salary in Dallas depends on your level of experience. For instance, an RN with 1-year of experience typically makes around $28.96 per hour. On the other hand, those with 1-2 years of experience make an average of $31.13 per hour. For RN’s with 3-5 years of experience, they can make around $32.67 per hour. While RN’s with 6-9 years of experience make around $33.85 per hour. Those with 10 or more years of experience tend to make $37.85 per hour.
Do Dallas Nurse Salaries Vary by Employer?
On the other hand, the amount of a nurse’s salary in Dallas Texas not only depends on your level of experience but also where you work. For instance, Sutter Home pays its RNs an average of $57.07 per hour. Quest Group pays its RNs an average of $52.60 per hour. On the other hand, NYU Langone Health pays its RNs an average of $51.42 per hour. While Montefiore Medical Center pays around $48.87 per hour. Incredible Health pays its nurses an average of $47.86 per hour.
Moreover, if you are looking to increase your nurse salary in Dallas Texas, credentials can help immensely. For instance, getting an LMSW license can boost your salary by 32.81%. Another skill that can boost your nurse salary in Dallas TX is ICD coding, which can boost your salary by 14.59%. Additionally, getting an Infection Control Certification can boost your salary by 39.73%.
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