Best Nursing Schools in San Antonio in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)
Few careers can rival the hospitality required of a nurse, and we’ve all heard of the phrase “southern hospitality.” Though for some it’s up to debate whether Texas is actually a part of the south or not, nursing is needed everywhere, as well as the hospitality that nurses can bring to their patients and workplaces. Checking out the best nursing schools in San Antonio will give you your own taste of southern hospitality and will help you get started in your nursing career.
Nurses are needed in hospitals, physicians’ offices, urgent cares, outpatient clinics, schools, the military, care facilities, and in patients’ homes. Choosing a career in nursing will offer you lots of flexibility and job security and the schooling is often just as flexible. However, it’s important that you pick among the best nursing schools in Texas if you want the best education.
Featured Online Bachelor's in Psychology Programs
A career in nursing can cover anything from a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). No matter what level you choose to pursue, you will be needed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job growth outlook for nursing is considerably faster than average, especially for nurses with higher levels of education. The following list includes some of the best BSN programs in San Antonio, MSN, DNP, and more. So whether you want to enter an RN to BSN program or something at a higher level, it’s time to get started!
The best nursing schools in San Antonio in 2024
1. UT Health – San Antonio
At UT Health, students have quite a few degree options to choose from, ranging from a bachelor’s degree in nursing to a doctorate in nursing practice or a doctorate of philosophy in nursing. Those who choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree can follow the regular 2-year traditional track or the 15-month accelerated track. The master’s programs available have many specialization tracks to choose from including family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner primary care, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, and nursing education.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $297
- Graduation Rate: 82.7%
- # of Nursing Programs: 6
2. Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
Students who attend the Baptist Health System School of Health Professions have the option of pursuing a diploma, associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing. The Associate of Applied Sciences in Nursing is for those wishing to become an RN or for those who are already an LVN and wish to be an RN. The LVN to RN pathway applies a blend of in-class and online teaching. Additionally, this school’s BSN is available completely online.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $711-$1,200
- Graduation Rate: unavailable
- # of Nursing Programs: 5
3. Wayland Baptist University – San Antonio
Wayland Baptist University has one of the best nursing schools in San Antonio and offers an LVN to BSN, BSN, and an MS in Nursing (completely online). Students at WBU’s nursing school will benefit from small classes and plenty of hands-on clinical learning experiences. At graduation, students will be prepared to be competent and caring in their patient care delivery.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $262
- Graduation Rate: 20%
- # of Nursing Programs: 3
5. Galen College – San Antonio
At Galen College students can choose between four different nursing programs: a 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an LVN to ADN bridge program (ADN), a vocational nursing (VN) program, or an online RN to BSN program (BSN). Regardless of which level you choose to pursue, Galen College is constantly updating its curriculum because it believes that a nursing school graduate should be able to walk into the first job of their nursing career feeling capable, competent, and ready to go to work.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $350-$495
- Graduation Rate:53%
- # of Nursing Programs: 4
6. St. Philip’s College
St. Philip’s College is part of the Alamo Colleges District and is steeped in history as it is one of the oldest and most diverse community colleges in the nation. It offers licensed vocational nurses or those with medical experience from the military the chance to receive an A.A.S. in nursing in just three semesters rather than the traditional four. The required clinical courses will be held at the San Antonio campus, where students can also receive an LVN certificate which requires one year of full-time study.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $86-$202
- Graduation Rate: 23%
- # of Nursing Programs: 2
7. San Antonio College
San Antonio College is also part of the Alamo Colleges District, and it offers similar programs to its sister college above. However, one significant difference is that SAC’s general 2-year nursing program is one of the most competitive nursing schools in San Antonio. Due to the outstanding curriculum and dedicated faculty, the popular program can only admit 100 or fewer students into its nursing school each semester. It has a job placement rate of over 98%, which is another testament of SAC’s quality nursing program.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $86-$202
- Graduation Rate: 18%
- # of Nursing Programs: 2
8. Quest College
The Nurse Aide program at Quest College can be completed in as little as 5 weeks. Students will acquire skills such as basic first aid, CPR training, taking vital signs, and following infection control measures. Classes were created with the busy adult in mind, and are held only in the mornings, Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $806.25
- Graduation Rate: 70%
- # of Nursing Programs: 1
9. Hallmark University
Hallmark University has been around since 1969 and offers students two choices for their degree in nursing. The first is a traditional B.S. in Nursing that takes 32 months, and the second is an accelerated RN-to-BSN that’s available 100% online and can be completed in just over a year. The university designed its simulation labs and facilities to look and feel just like a hospital and modern healthcare environments to better prepare students for their nursing careers.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $350-$495
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- # of Nursing Programs: 2
10. University of the Incarnate World
The University of the Incarnate Word is a Catholic institution that was founded back in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate World. For those wishing to pursue nursing, UIW offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing as well as an alternate RN-to-BSN pathway that has online courses taught in 8-week terms. The RN-to-BSN can be completed in one calendar year.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $425
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- # of Nursing Programs: 2
11. Abilene Christian University
Abilene Christian University‘s School of Nursing encourages students to be dedicated to lifelong learning and offering Christian service and leadership as professional nurses throughout the world. Medical missions and undergraduate research opportunities are also available for students who desire to participate. ACU offers a traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
- Tuition Per Credit Hour: $966-$1,450
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- # of Nursing Programs: 2
Ranking Methodology
Schools on this list were ranked equally by cost per credit hour, graduation rate, and the number of nursing programs offered. See our methodology page for more detail.
