10 Best Nursing Schools in Houston

Top Nursing Schools in Houston

The best nursing schools in Houston offer nursing degrees for new nurses and for nurses returning to school to advance their education. Houston nursing schools are plentiful due to the increase in population density and the need for qualified healthcare workers. The wealth of school options can make it difficult for a student to pick one of the many nursing programs in Houston that are available.

Making a decision comes down to personal goals, the desired educational focus, and the ability to find employment upon graduation. Nurses who have earned their RN and are seeking a BSN need to find an educational opportunity that aligns with their work/life balance. No two Houston nursing schools are alike. So make sure you look at the various nursing programs at each school in Houston.

Ranking Methodology for the Top Nursing Schools in Houston

To rank, the best nursing schools in the vast area of metropolitan Houston, TX, TopRNtoBSN editors researched accredited, reputable institutions throughout the region. Programs are ranked according to IPEDS and Niche data, including cost, graduate salary, and student satisfaction.

Every one of the Houston nursing schools publishes statistics that include state ranking for its nursing program, the NCLEX-RN passing rate, the FNP pass rate, and the employment rate for graduates. These are all good metrics to judge a school with, but they don’t always tell the whole story of the school’s nursing program.

Houston nursing schools can have high scores across the board, but they may not have a nursing program that works with your current life situation or offer training in a specific nursing specialty. Alternatively, the school may be so popular that it’s difficult to gain admission which means taking a look at other nursing programs in Houston.

1. The University of Houston

The University of Houston’s College of Nursing is among the best nursing schools in the area and among the top five percent in the country. Among the best nursing schools in Houston, UH has received full accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and is an Academic progression school in Texas. Topping the list of the best nursing schools in Houston TX, UH boasts a 100% NCLEX – RN pass rate for several of the past years.

The University of Houston (UH) was established in 1956. Its campus covers more than 600 acres and serves more than 45,000 students studying for the nearly 300-degree programs offered by the UH. The University of Houston holds the distinction of being the 3rd-largest institution of higher education in the Lone Star state.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school to learn more about its College of Nursing.

2. University of St Thomas at Houston

The Carol and Odis Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St Thomas in Houston offers several nursing programs. Nursing students attending one of the best nursing schools in Houston Texas can opt for a BSN program, an accelerated BSN program, a graduate degree in nursing (MSN), or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The nursing degree programs offered by one of the best nursing schools in Houston have received accreditation by CCNE – the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

The University of St Thomas at Houston opened in 1947 and holds a religious affiliation with Roman Catholic (Basilians) Church. Nearly 3,800 students attend specialized classes in pre-health, Thomistic Studies, pre-law, business, and engineering. And it is the only school governed by the Houston-Galveston archdiocese.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

3. Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University’s School of Nursing and Allied Health offers on-campus and online baccalaureate and graduate degree programs. The Texas Medical Center is affiliated with Houston Baptist University, one of the best nursing schools in Houston TX. The Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) and ACEN have accredited their nursing degree programs.

Houston Baptist University opened in 1960 and has affiliations with the Roman Catholic (Basilians) Church. HBU’s urban campus covers 150 acres in Houston and serves more than 3,700 students. HBU is home to three distinct museums – the Museum of Southern History, the Museum of American Architecture, and the Dunham Bible Museum.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

4. The University of Texas Health Science Center

The Texas Health Science Center Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas is one of the best nursing schools in Houston and the country. UT Health’s nursing programs include undergraduate, bridge programs, graduate, post-master’s, and doctoral-level degree programs. Additionally, the programs have accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center was established in 1972. UT Health Science’s urban campus serves more than 5,100 students in various healthcare specialties like nursing, public health, biomedical, and medicine. The University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center Houston holds the distinction of being the largest medical center across the globe.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school for more about the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

5. Lone Star College Montgomery

Lone Star College Montgomery’s Nursing Department offers several nursing programs from one of the best nursing schools in Houston Texas. LSCM offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with an integrated curriculum, a bridge program from LVN to ADN, and a Licensed Vocation Nursing program. All nursing programs from one of the best nursing schools in Houston have received accreditation from ACEN. Previous NCLEX -RN examination results in passing rates that exceed 98%.

Lone Star College Montgomery opened in 1992. The school is a member of the Lone Star College System with a student enrollment that exceeds 9.600 students. Lone Star College Montgomery offers programs in human services, land surveying, biotechnology, and Physical Therapy assisting. Then governor, GW Bush, dedicated the Lone Star College Montgomery campus in the mid-1990s.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

6. The University of Houston – Clear Lake

The University of Houston – Clear Lake’s College of Human Science & Humanities/Department of Clinical, Health and Applied Sciences is recognized among the best nursing schools in Houston TX that offers a variety of nursing programs at many levels. Among the best nursing schools in Houston Texas, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) stand-alone program and a bridge program from an RN to BSN degree program. Nursing programs from UH Clear Lake, one of the best nursing schools in Houston, are accredited by ACEN.

The University of Houston at Clear Lake was founded in 1974. The University of Houston at Clear Lake has four academic colleges that offer about 100 degree programs to its 9,000 students. Part of the school’s campus was donated by Humble Oil. The University of Houston – Clear Lake began as a school to train individuals to join nearby NASA.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

7. Lee College

Lee College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degree program from one of the best nursing schools in Houston Texas. This ADN nursing program’s ADN degree from the best nursing schools in Houston TX has received accreditation ACEN – the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing ACEN). Students graduating from one of the best nursing schools in Houston are prepared to sit for the nation NCLEX – RN nursing examination. Students interested in this program can enter the program with no experience or as transfer students. Total credit hours to graduate equals 60 credit units.

Lee College was established in 1934. Lee College’s urban campus covers more than 40 acres and serves more than 7,500 students throughout the greater Baytown area. More than 80% of Lee College’s students attend on a part-time basis. Lee College serves the population from eleven independent school districts.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

8. Houston Community College

Houston Community College, recognized among the best nursing schools in Houston Texas, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree program for inexperienced applicants. In addition, HCC, as one of the best nursing schools in Houston TX, also offers a bridge program from a Registered Nurse (RN) to an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. Among the best nursing schools in Houston, Houston Community College’s nursing programs have received approval from the Texas BON – Board of Nursing. Transfer opportunities are available for those students wishing to move on to a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN).

Houston Community College opened in 1971 and operates several campuses in Stafford, Houston, Missouri City, and Greater Kay. HCC also recruits international students to join the 69,000 students attending classes.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

9. Alvin Community College

Alvin Community College offers two nursing programs from one of the best nursing schools in Houston TX. The professional nursing degree programs from one of the best nursing schools in Houston include a transition bridge program from a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), plus an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing degree (AAS). Both of these nursing programs from some of the best nursing schools in Houston Texas require the completion of 60 credit units to graduate. These mandated credits include lab and clinical rounds.

Alvin Community College was established as Alvin Junior College in 1948. The school offers workforce and technical training programs plus adult education for working learners. The student enrollment at Alvin Community College exceeds 5,100 students. MLB Hall of Famer, Nolan Ryan, is an alumnus of Alvin Community College.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

10. San Jacinto College

San Jacinto College offers several nursing programs from the campuses of one of the best nursing schools in Houston Texas. Among the best nursing schools in Houston, San Jacinto College offers a Licensed Vocational Nurse/Paramedic to an ADN – an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Registered Nurse (RN) to a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) degree program and a generic Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) degree or LVN and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree stand-alone programs. Additionally, the college was a top 10 finalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

San Jacinto College was established in 1961. The school serves many independent school districts in the greater Houston and Pasadena area. San Jacinto operates five campuses that serve more than 45,000 students annually. San Jacinto College specializes in all levels of paramedic training and emergency medical technology.

Location: Houston TX

More: Visit the school

Other Nursing Schools in the Houston Metro Area

Sam Houston State University
Texas Woman’s University
Lamar University
Texas Health School

How is the Job Market for Nurses in Houston?

The Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies estimates the demand for nursing jobs in Houston to grow by 54% between 2021 and 2031. It’s also estimated that this growth will leave a deficit of almost 60,000 RNs by 2031. The outlook for nurse jobs in Houston is very good in terms of job security and income. Larger healthcare facilities have hundreds of open nursing jobs in Houston.

Those who follow a career in nursing have multiple career options in the form of teaching at some point in the future. Houston, TX, nursing jobs are part of a growth industry and there is a demand for qualified professionals to teach students to become effective nurses. Someone who starts out working in one of the many nurse jobs in Houston may find that their educational and career path brings them to the field of teaching student nurses. Just as there’s a demand for nursing jobs in Houston, there is also a demand for nursing teachers.

Nurse practitioner jobs in Houston are also in high demand due to the fact the nurse practitioner fulfills a role that’s in-between that of a nurse and an MD. It takes longer to earn a degree as a nurse practitioner, but the educational effort is worth undertaking as nurse practitioner jobs in Houston are increasing in number. A nurse practitioner can work in areas underserved by traditional healthcare professionals. Nurse practitioner jobs in Houston can offer a lucrative career, but it’s also possible to find more challenges in the career in and around the Houston area.

How Much Do Nurses Make in Houston?

The average nurse’s salary in Houston for a registered nurse is anywhere between $47,000 and $81,000. Someone who holds a BSN can get a higher nursing salary in Houston and earn anywhere between $53,000 and $120,000 per year. The nurse practitioner’s salary in Houston is anywhere between $100,000 and $140,000 per year.

What these salaries show is that the nursing salary in Houston for an RN is generous in comparison to the amount of education an RN requires, but a BSN and nurse practitioner salary in Houston is comparable to that of physicians on the higher end. Someone who is starting out as an RN can earn a reasonable registered nurse salary in Houston and advance their career earnings while remaining an RN.

Salaries for advanced degrees demonstrate that it’s beneficial to continue education and earn more than the average nursing salary in Houston. The more education a nurse earns, the better their nurse salary in Houston will be as their career advances. A nurse can maximize their earning potential by becoming a nurse practitioner and enjoy a nurse practitioner salary in Houston while helping patients have good outcomes with their health.

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