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Best Nursing Schools in Dallas-Fort Worth: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

March 22, 2026

Compare 15 DFW nursing programs from $1,728 at Tarrant County College to TCU ($57,220). UT Arlington is the state's largest BSN producer with 91% NCLEX pass rate.

Why Study Nursing in Dallas-Fort Worth?

The DFW metroplex is one of the largest healthcare markets in Texas, with major systems including Baylor Scott & White Health, Texas Health Resources, Parkland Health, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Cook Children's, and Medical City Healthcare. The region has 15 nursing programs ranging from $1,728/year at Tarrant County College to $57,220 at TCU.

Top University Programs

University of Texas at Arlington

UTA's College of Nursing and Health Innovation is the largest producer of BSN-educated nurses in Texas, graduating over 600 prelicensure BSN students annually with a 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. The school holds three simultaneous NLN Center of Excellence designations — a rare achievement. Doctoral nursing graduates earn $125,851/year at $11,728 in-state tuition with an 81% acceptance rate.

UTA has approximately 17,000 nursing students across online and on-campus programs, making it one of the largest nursing schools in the country.

Texas Christian University (Fort Worth)

TCU's Harris College of Nursing offers a traditional BSN and a 16-month accelerated BSN, with NCLEX pass rates as high as 97% (100% in 2023). Doctoral nursing graduates earn $144,992/year. Tuition is $57,220 with a 43% acceptance rate — the most selective in DFW.

Texas Woman's University (Denton)

TWU's College of Nursing has campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston, with a 94% NCLEX pass rate over the past decade. Named by Niche as a top-4% nursing school nationally (34th out of 780). Graduate Certificate nursing graduates earn $133,065/year at $8,648 tuition — exceptional value.

Texas Wesleyan University (Fort Worth)

Master's nursing graduates earn $174,184/year — the highest in DFW. Tuition is $37,934 with a 62% acceptance rate. Smaller program with 1,671 students.

Baylor University (Waco)

While in Waco (south of DFW), Baylor's Louise Herrington School of Nursing is a major pipeline for DFW healthcare. Master's graduates earn $100,370/year at $54,844 tuition with a 51% acceptance rate.

Community College ADN Programs

DFW's community colleges offer extremely affordable nursing education.

Dallas College — $2,370/year, 41,815 students

The largest CC in DFW (formed from the merger of 7 former DCCCD campuses). ADN graduates earn $62,060/year. Multiple locations across Dallas County make it accessible everywhere.

Tarrant County College — $1,728/year, 40,214 students

The cheapest nursing path in DFW at $1,728/year. ADN graduates earn $59,952. Four campuses across Fort Worth and the mid-cities. Strong transfer agreements with UTA and TCU.

Collin County Community College (McKinney) — $1,864/year, 25,857 students

Serves the fast-growing northern suburbs (Plano, McKinney, Frisco, Allen). ADN graduates earn $63,325 — the highest among DFW community colleges. Strong STEM and health sciences programs.

Central Texas College (Killeen) — $3,150/year, 5,985 students

Located near Fort Hood/Fort Cavazos, serving the military community. ADN graduates earn $63,784.

McLennan Community College (Waco) — $3,660/year, 4,997 students

ADN graduates earn $64,359 — highest in the broader DFW/Central Texas area.

Transfer Pathways

Dallas College to UTA

UTA provides specific transfer guides for Dallas College students with an Articulation Agreement and Transfer Equivalency System (ATE) that maps Dallas College courses to UTA equivalents.

Texas Direct

Texas Direct provides seamless transfer degree pathways. Complete the Texas Core Curriculum and Field of Study at any Texas public CC, and your courses transfer as a block to your chosen major at a state university.

Dallas College to UT Dallas

A unique partnership lets students with Applied Science credits at Dallas College petition for elective credit at UT Dallas — bridging technical training with a university degree.

DFW Nursing Salaries

New graduate RN: $65,000-75,000/year
Experienced RN: $78,000-95,000/year
NP: $105,000-140,000/year

Major employers: Baylor Scott & White, Texas Health Resources, Parkland Health, UT Southwestern, Medical City, Cook Children's, JPS Health Network (Fort Worth).

Financial Aid

Texas Public Education Grant — need-based for state schools
Hazlewood Act — free tuition for Texas veterans and dependents
Pell Grant — up to $7,395 (covers TCC tuition 4x over)

Next Steps

Compare DFW nursing programs on GradeToGrad.