6 Best Nursing Schools in Dallas, Texas Today

The Dallas metro area is home to reputable healthcare employers with vacancies for qualified nurses. And whether you’re looking to kickstart a nursing career or to develop further within the profession, enrolling in any of the best nursing schools in Dallas can get you there.

Below, we list what we consider to be the 6 very best nursing schools in Dallas today. We also highlight the different programs they offer, their NCLEX-RN pass rates, alumni salary data, and students’ ratings.

Our rankings consider factors like the average NCLEX pass rates from the last 4 years, typical federal debt upon graduation, reported alumni salaries, and the school’s overall reputation.

Here’s a List of the 6 Best Nursing Schools in Dallas

1. Baylor University- Louise Herrington School of Nursing

Baylor University, located in Waco, Texas, is a private Christian research university that’s been around since 1845.

The Louise Herrington School of Nursing at Baylor University is located near downtown Dallas. Its position is great because it’s close to Baylor University Medical Center and over 150 places where nursing students can get practical experience in Dallas communities.

The school’s mission is unique because it aims to educate nurses within a Christian environment. They train students for professional practice, healthcare leadership, and service worldwide, with Christian faith at the core of their nursing theory and practice.

The school mentions that there’s a variety of financial aid available, but details about scholarships or grants weren’t found at the time of this research. We’ll provide financial aid updates once we get them.

According to federal data, when nursing students finish Baylor’s BSN program, they usually have federal student debt of around $22,362.

List of Baylor School of Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• FastBacc BSN Program- ABSN

List of Baylor School of Nursing Graduate Programs:

• DNP Program
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks- online
  • Nurse-Midwifery- online
  • Executive Nurse Leadership- online
  • U.S. Army Anesthesia Nursing

Baylor School of Nursing NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for Baylor School of Nursing Graduates

Overall Baylor University Student Ratings

2. Texas Christian University- Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Texas Christian University (TCU) is a private university located in Fort Worth, Texas. It was established in 1873 and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

TCU’s nursing department was established in 1946, and its mission is to lead in nursing education, practice, and scholarship, to improve health for all.

A unique aspect of TCU Nursing is the opportunity for students to study abroad in places like Argentina, Chile, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, Spain, and the UK.

The university also has advanced simulation and practice labs that prepare students for real patient care. For clinical practice, you will have access to a variety of institutions and agencies in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Financial aid at TCU includes several scholarships designed specifically for nursing students.

According to federal data, students graduating from TCU’s nursing bachelor’s program typically have about $25,000 in federal student loan debt, while those from the doctoral program typically have about $82,000.

List of TCU Nursing Undergraduate Programs:

• BSN Program

List of TCU Nursing Graduate Programs:

• MSN Nurse Educator Program:
  • Adult-gerontology track
  • Pediatric track

• BSN to DNP Program:
  • Nurse Practitioner tracks
  • Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • Executive Nurse Leadership & Practice DNP

List of TCU Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)- Adult-Gerontology or Pediatric

• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

• Nursing Education

TCU NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for TCU Nursing Graduates

Overall TCU University Student Ratings

3. Texas Woman’s University- College of Nursing

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is a public university located in Denton, Texas. It has two more campuses focused on health sciences in Dallas and Houston, and it’s part of the Texas Woman’s University System. The student body at TWU is mainly made up of women, making up 89% of the students.

TWU’s College of Nursing is in partnership with several reputable medical institutions, including UT Southwestern Medical Center, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Methodist Health System. This makes it an excellent place for clinical practice.

Regarding financial aid, the College of Nursing offers scholarships to students who demonstrate financial need and excellent academic performance. The awards typically range from $500 to $1,500 each academic year.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, nursing students typically graduate from TWU’s College of Nursing bachelor’s program with about $18,310 of federal student loan debt.

Master’s program graduates usually have about $27,782 in federal student debt, while doctoral program graduates typically have around $64,790 in federal student debt.

List of TWU Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program- First two years are at the Denton Campus while the last two years are at the Dallas or Houston Center.

• BSN Weekend/Evening Program

•  RN to BSN Program- online

List of TWU Graduate Nursing Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks
  • Nursing Education

• DNP Program

• Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)

• DNP to PhD Bridge

List of TWU College of Nursing Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Nurse Practitioner Tracks

• Nursing Education

TWU NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for TWU Nursing Graduates

Overall TWU Student Ratings

4. University of Texas at Arlington- College of Nursing and Health Innovation

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public university that’s part of the University of Texas System. Founded in 1895, it’s located in Arlington, Texas.

UTA’s College of Nursing and Health Innovation is one of the biggest producers of RNs in the country, and the biggest in Texas. In 2022 alone, 653 of its first-time students passed the NCLEX-RN!

The University works with more than 30 hospitals and healthcare systems across Texas, providing clinical experiences that help students become better nurses.

These partners include Medical City Arlington, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Children’s Health.

Financial aid at UTA includes fellowships, graduate assistantships, and academic scholarships based on merit.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, bachelor’s nursing students at UTA typically graduate with about $17,421 in federal student loan debt.

Master’s nursing students graduate with about $48,470 in federal student debt, and Doctoral degree students graduate with about $46,590 in federal student loan debt.

List of UTA Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• Traditional BSN Program

• Accelerated BSN Program- online

• RN to BSN Program- online & on-campus

List of UTA Graduate Nursing Programs:

• MSN Program:
  • Nurse Practitioner Tracks
  • Dual Pediatric Acute and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program (PC/ACNP)
  • Dual Adult Gerontology Acute and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program (AG A/PCNP) 
  • Nursing Education
  • Nursing Administration

• RN to MSN Program

• DNP Program

• PhD in Nursing Program

List of UTA Post-Graduate Certificate Programs:

• Nursing Practioner Tracks

UTA NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for UTA College of Nursing Graduates

Overall UTA Student Ratings

5. West Coast University Dallas- College of Nursing

West Coast University (WCU) is a private for-profit university specializing in healthcare degrees. It has multiple campuses, including one in Richardson, Texas.

WCU’s nursing program stands out as it was ranked first among the Best Nursing Colleges in Texas in 2023 by Niche.com. Their advanced simulation labs let you practice real-life nursing skills with manikins that behave like real patients, providing you with hands-on experience.

They also have a dedicated team to help you secure clinical placements at local healthcare facilities that align with your career goals.

As for financial aid, WCU offers a handful of nursing scholarships, including the Norma Ford Memorial Scholarship for students entering their 3rd or 4th year of the BSN, LVN-BSN, and LPN-BSN programs.

According to federal data, WCU Dallas nursing students typically graduate with about $34,145 in federal student loan debt from the bachelor’s program, and about $35,570 from the master’s program.

List of WCU Dallas Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• BSN Program- Day or Evening/Weekend

• LVN to BSN Program

WCU Dallas NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for WCU Dallas Nursing Graduates

Overall WCU Student Ratings

6. Concordia University Texas- College of Nursing

Concordia University Texas (CTX) is a private university based in Austin, with a Dallas location specifically offering an Accelerated BSN program. This program is perfect if you’re considering a career switch to nursing.

At CTX, you’ll have access to Skills Labs where you can learn essential nursing tasks like checking vital signs, administering medications, and caring for wounds. You’ll also use Simulation Labs to gain experience treating a patient simulator in various situations.

You’ll also get practical experience through clinical rotations at local hospitals and healthcare facilities.

While CTX doesn’t seem to offer specific nursing scholarships, you can apply for financial aid through FAFSA.

According to federal data, students graduating from CTX’s Bachelor’s nursing program typically have around $20,325 in federal student debt.

List of CTX Dallas Undergraduate Nursing Programs:

• Accelerated BSN Program

CTX NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

Salary Data for CTX Nursing Graduates

Overall CTX Student Ratings

Nurse Salary in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metro Area

Why Consider Best Nursing Schools in Dallas?

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has a booming healthcare industry that contributes a massive $52 billion to the local economy. This dynamic and diverse field offers exciting opportunities for nurses, including impressive median salaries.

Major healthcare employers like Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White Health, UT Southwestern, and Parkland Health and Hospital System, offer rewarding nursing roles where you can make a difference in patient’s lives.

So, if you’re considering the nursing profession or looking to further your nursing career, why not consider one of the best nursing programs in Dallas? They could be your stepping stone to a fulfilling career in this thriving healthcare hub.

Disclaimer:

• Information on these programs may change without notice. So, we cannot guarantee their authenticity and accuracy. You’d have to check with the school and do further research. Our review list is simply for guidance and cannot be relied upon exclusively without research on your part.
• Before enrollment, check with your state regarding licensing rules or whether your desired program meets your home state’s certification requirements and licensure.
• If you are an administrator/staff for one of the schools listed in this article, and you would like to issue corrections or updates on your program’s information, please contact us here.

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