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Best Nursing Schools in San Antonio: Rankings, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

February 20, 2026

Compare 9 San Antonio nursing programs from $3,412 at Alamo Colleges to UT Health's $110,465-earning Master's program. 400+ clinical rotation sites.

Why Study Nursing in San Antonio?

San Antonio is a major military and healthcare city. The presence of Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), Wilford Hall Medical Center, University Hospital, Methodist Healthcare, and Baptist Health System creates diverse clinical opportunities — including military medicine you won't find in most cities. The metro has 9 nursing programs with Alamo Colleges offering the most affordable pathway at $3,412/year.

Top University Programs

UT Health San Antonio — School of Nursing

UT Health San Antonio is the region's premier nursing school. Master's graduates earn $110,465/year. Programs include a 24-month Traditional BSN and a 15-month Accelerated BSN. Students rotate through 400+ clinical agency contracts within 60 miles, including University Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Baptist Medical Center, and Brooke Army Medical Center — providing exposure to trauma, pediatrics, mental health, and military medicine.

University of the Incarnate Word

First Professional Degree nursing graduates earn $106,508/year at $35,660 tuition. UIW's 93% acceptance rate makes it accessible, and its nursing program has deep roots in San Antonio's healthcare community.

Texas State University (San Marcos)

Just 30 minutes north of SA, Texas State's Master's nursing graduates earn $103,729/year at $11,450 tuition with an 89% acceptance rate. The state's third-largest university provides strong outcomes at a public school price.

Alamo Colleges ADN Programs

The Alamo Colleges District operates 5 community colleges across San Antonio, all at $3,412/year tuition.

St. Philip's College — $3,412/year, 10,772 students

ADN graduates earn $68,521/year — highest among Alamo Colleges nursing programs. St. Philip's is one of the nation's few community colleges that is both an HBCU and a Hispanic-Serving Institution. The nursing program is highly competitive, admitting fewer than 100 new students per semester.

San Antonio College — $3,412/year, 16,067 students

The largest Alamo College, with 300-400 nursing students enrolled each semester. ADN graduates earn $64,435/year. SAC has been producing nurses for over 50 years. Recently combined degree pathways to better meet demand.

Palo Alto College — $3,412/year, 7,723 students

South Side campus with hands-on clinical rotations at two major hospital systems. Part of the Alamo Colleges nursing consortium.

Clinical Sites

University Hospital — Level I trauma, academic medical center
Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) — military medicine, burn center
Methodist Healthcare — multi-hospital system
Baptist Health System — 5 hospitals across San Antonio
Christus Santa Rosa Health System — faith-based system

Financial Aid

Hazlewood Act — free tuition for Texas veterans (major impact in military-heavy San Antonio)
Alamo Promise — free community college for Bexar County high school graduates
Federal Pell Grant — covers Alamo Colleges tuition entirely

Next Steps

Compare San Antonio nursing programs on GradeToGrad.