10 Best Nursing Schools in Houston, Texas

As the largest city in Texas, Houston is home to almost 50,000 registered nurses. The quality of nursing schools in this metropolitan area is remarkably high. Universities and medical institutions offer various nursing programs to guide students down their chosen career paths.

Before you randomly apply to all programs you see, take a look at some of the best nursing schools in Houston. These schools are known to be professional and give you the best chance in the industry. They can be the first step in your nursing journey.

Best Nursing Schools In Houston

1. The University of St. Thomas

96% acceptance rate

Diverse student backgrounds
Outside school programs are available

With over 12% of its programs focusing on nursing, the University of St. Thomas nurtures thousands of prospective nurses every year. It is one of the most prestigious universities in Texas. According to statistics, the acceptance rate for nursing programs reaches 96%.

Numerous bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral nursing programs are offered. Students may continue further studies at the same institution, which will generally be easier. Their future is secure.

Furthermore, the University of St. Thomas creates a highly diverse environment for all students with different ethnic, religious, and financial backgrounds.

The University of St. Thomas has a long-standing nursing faculty with valuable resources available. There are lots of extracurricular programs students can take to enrich their portfolios. Volunteering opportunities are regularly promoted on campus.

These activities enhance students’ moral senses and allow them to participate in diverse programs that the school itself may not offer. The school board regularly updates scholarships and competitions available to create an active and interactive learning environment other than exams and essays.

Before receiving federal aid, the cost is around $46,000. It reduces to around $19,000 after the aid. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete.

Students have to attend clinical practice sessions to earn hands-on experience. By the time of graduation, they are ready to work directly at a medical institution.

Since the University of St. Thomas has connections with local hospitals and clinics, students have a higher chance of getting hired immediately by partnering institutions.

2. The University of Houston

One of the best nursing colleges in the nation (top 5%)
Lots of hands-on practices

Abundant resources to support student development

The Nursing College of the University of Houston is ranked a top-tier education institution in the nation. Thousands of applicants compete for a spot in this high-quality program.

The college offers RN to BSN, Second Degree BSN, and MSN degree programs at its multiple campuses across the city. Each campus has its distinct features, complimented by different equipment and lab structures.

Currently, the structure at the University of Houston combines a mixture of online and physical classes to accommodate busy students, especially those taking it as a second degree or working a full-time job elsewhere.

The university is very willing to help students with difficulties to complete their degrees. The flexible structure attracts more professionals to further polish their skills here.

Students gain lots of hands-on experience. The school arranges loads of clinical visits even in the first year. Students absorb knowledge by watching how real nurses work.

There are optional classes and visits for students to get a better understanding of how a hospital is run, how nurses play a vital role, and what are the ethics of nurses.

The university has a dedicated team to support student development. Students can enroll in activities and joint-school programs to enjoy a fun learning environment.

The employment rate for graduates is 87%. Through networking events, students can do their placement at their favorite workplace. Before aid, the tuition fee is around $24,000 whereas, after aid, it is around $14,000.

3. University of Texas Health Science Center

Receive public funding to conduct scientific research
Over 1000 intake per year
96% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) pass rate

The four years students spend with the University of Texas Health Science Center will be truly rewarding. As a public research institution, more than $290 million go into the research and development of healthcare-related projects.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students get the opportunity to shadow some of the most well-known names in the field. They can assist in parts of the research projects to gain practical experience if they choose the academic route.

More than 1,000 nursing students are admitted into the programs each year. The intake volume is larger than the average nursing school. Among them, 96% will go on to pass the NCLEX-RN. The high passing rate indicates the superb education quality here.

Teachers are both experienced in nursing and education to offer the most comprehensive structure to students.

Researchers and staff may promote outstanding students as lab technicians or research assistants so they can be involved in more advanced topics to hone their skills.

The tuition fee before aid is $26,000 and it drops to $13,000 with aid. Over the course of the degree, nursing students will perform their practical placements in various medical institutions. They can choose their major based on their interest and results.

For example, they can switch to the psychiatric path and train their expertise there. Students will form strong ties with the institutions they intern at. It is normal for students to get hired by the unit they worked in during their academic years. Therefore, having an extensive network is essential for students to land good jobs.

4. Houston Baptist University

Online programs are available
Low student-to-faculty ratio

87% National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) pass rate

Houston Baptist University provides the perfect blend of theoretical and clinical practices. Students undergo a vigorous training process to equip themselves to work under tremendous pressure.

There are remote courses available for the RN-to-BSN program and others. It gives flexibility to those coming after the institution’s reputation but cannot commit to the physical hours.

In order to simplify things for students, Houston Baptist University is the only university in the region to offer all training on one campus. Students do not have to travel between their lab sessions and lectures.

This allows more students with constraints such as having a baby at home or working several jobs to support themselves to attend school more easily.

Their state-of-the-art simulation labs conduct thousands of sessions a year. Students can transform their theories into experiments with the help of lab technicians.

On Houston Baptist University’s official introduction page for the nursing program, it is stated that the student-to-faculty ratio is low.

Each staff member takes care of a small group of students. Small-class learning is widely adopted in the current education system to provide more personalized support for individual students. Teachers can also better keep track of each student’s performance and strategize to help those struggling to catch up.

The tuition fee is $48,000 before aid and $19,000 after. Upon graduation, 87% of students go on to pass the NCLEX-RN. Houston Baptist University has been maintaining this high pass rate for the last decade.

5. Baylor College of Medicine

Situated in the largest medical center in the world with lots of advanced technology
Huge international networking events and opportunities
Numerous 24/7 resource centers and support

Located in the heart of the largest medical center in the world, namely the Texas Medical Center, Baylor College of Medicine offers unbeatable support and training for future nurses.

Thanks to its adjacent advanced medical facilities, students in the Baylor College of Medicine programs get the chance to utilize some of the advanced technology and even assist in world-class research projects.

International networking events are frequent. Undergraduates and postgraduates can participate in various volunteering and exchange programs that send them abroad.

Students can gain invaluable experiences working with international organizations in developing countries. These extracurricular programs broaden students’ horizons and make them more competitive.

In addition to overseas opportunities, Baylor College of Medicine also organizes regular talks and sharing sessions for students to meet and greet important figures in the community.

Researchers and professors from other institutions often attend seminars at the Texas Medical Center, giving convenience to the college to set up guest lectures.

Baylor College of Medicine supports students in every aspect. There are 24/7 support centers and libraries for keen learners to revise materials anytime.

All of the support has been proven successful as its NCLEX-RN pass rate has been kept at 97%. Its most reputable program is the nurse anesthesia program, ranking 2nd in the USA.

Before aid, the tuition fee is $26,000 and $13,000 after aid. Baylor College of Medicine holds its operation to the highest standards, recruiting only the elites with phenomenal results in the entrance exams.

Is It Difficult To Get Into a Nursing School In Houston?

Getting into some of the state’s best nursing schools is no piece of cake. It takes hard work and a proven track record to convince the panel.

A promising applicant should demonstrate a solid understanding of basic science, a passion for helping people, and essential language skills to understand commands and community with patients.

Nurses carry out an overwhelming amount of duties in the hospital. They are the bridges between doctors and patients. The liability is huge, even with one small mistake. Therefore, nursing schools tend to be strict about their admission standards.

Most nursing schools will require a copy of the TEAS test result in your application. It helps with the selection process to ensure you meet minimum requirements. Then, each nursing school will conduct appropriate interviews based on their criteria.

Competition is fierce in Houston. Some schools do not accept application submissions from those that do not meet the checklist at all. Hence, it increases your admission chance if you fulfill the requirements.

How Many Nurses Are In Houston?

In Texas, there are roughly 210,000 registered nurses practicing actively. Almost one-fourth of the total work in Houston. It shows just how prosperous this Texan medical city is. According to Houston Baptist University, the growth rate within the nursing industry is expected to be 7% in the next decade.

Is The Current Job Market Good For Nursing Graduates?

Fortunately, the demand for medical staff has been evergrowing. Since the aging population problem is worsening plus the pandemic, nurses are snatching jobs right after graduation.

Besides, Houston is ranked the 9th best hospital city in the USA, according to healthcare provider Medbelle. The medical system, staff, and facilities are adequate to support the massive volume of cases.

Patients are receiving top-notch care from professionals. More and more medical institutions are expanding businesses within the city.

With more than 10 million patient visits per year, Houston is home to one of the largest medical institutions in the world. The number reflects the need for constant new recruits.

Experts have projected a severe shortage in the coming months and years in Texas. As the medical capital of the state, Houston will undoubtedly be impacted.

Medical institutions will source talents from other states, increase spots in their nursing programs, and get more funding to meet the growing demand.

How Much Does a Nurse Make In Houston?

Aside from saving the world, a high salary is another incentive for aspiring nurses. Medical professionals, including nurses, in the USA, are well-compensated for their expertise.

Newly registered nurses coming off college in Houston are making $68,199 per year on average with the lowest outlier being $54,784 and the highest being $86,853.

The deviance in the salary gap could be explained by the type of institution, the size of the operation, the student’s academic performance, possible previous nursing/healthcare experience prior to the degree, the student’s expertise, and more. All these factors can contribute to a drastically different starting salary point.

Over the years, the average salary for registered nurses is $83,890 per year. Compared to the nation’s average of $82,750, nurses in Houston match the national standards, salary-wise.

In addition, the cost of living in Houston is below the nation’s average by 6%. It means nurses in Houston enjoy a higher purchasing power and more after-tax disposal income from the high salary. Nurses should lead a relatively comfortable life sticking to this career path.

What Is The Highest-Paying Specialty For Nurses?

Nurses have to choose their specialty at school to focus their training on. From the income point of view, a Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) gets paid the highest with an average of $206,386 per year. The number is significantly more than regular registered nurses.

The high salary is a temptation for new students. But students should also pay attention to the competition. Specializing in this field is hard as they only let in a small number of students.

Plus, the turnover rate for CRNA is low as well as the mobility. They tend to stay in the same job over their entire career, making it harder for newcomers to join. Other than that, a Certified Nurse Midwife is also a good option. The annual pay is around $120,000.

It is important to note that the exact pay depends on the association, experience, and performance of each individual nurse. The estimation is only based on reports and offers by institutions and nurses.

Prospective candidates should not be discouraged when their specialty is not listed as the highest-paying. Specialized nurses in each field have the potential to get paid much higher than the industry average.

What Are The Benefits For Nurses?

A Doctor and Nurse Discussing about the case

Medical professionals are well-respected. They tend to get more benefits than workers in other industries. The most sought-after benefit for nurses is probably healthcare coverage.

Nurses and immediate family members are covered by insurance. They get a significant discount on medical bills.

Other than that, some nursing schools have a reimbursement scholarship program. The terms and conditions vary but most of them require the student to work in a designated facility for certain years after graduation.

Once you meet the quota, the school will reimburse you for some of the paid tuition fees.

This scheme is mostly adopted by institutions with direct affiliations to medical facilities to retain the best talents within the community.

Experienced nurses are guaranteed to enjoy security and stability as the job covers their pension well. Moreover, the paid family vacation times are usually more generous than other jobs. Paid holidays increase each year according to the scale set in the institution.

Benefits are clearly listed in most hospitals and practices. Fresh graduates can set appropriate expectations and receive fair treatment. Unequal pay in the same job in the same place is rare. It helps nurses to map out their career paths as they can compare benefits among operations.

Summary

If you are pursuing your nursing career in Houston, you are in luck. This vibrant metropolitan is home to some of the best nursing schools in the USA.

Education quality is high and students go on to earn a higher-than-average salary. The best nursing schools above should narrow down your search. You can easily locate a program that suits your vision in your quest.

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