STC’s nursing program ranked No. 1 in Texas

South Texas College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program leads College Factual’s 2025 ranking of the Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Texas, earning the No. 1 spot among 52 schools evaluated across the state.

College Factual, a national higher education data and analytics resource, also ranked STC’s program No. 2 among 96 schools evaluated across the Southwest region.

“South Texas College is tremendously proud to see our Associate Degree Nursing program recognized as the No. 1 program of its kind in Texas,” said Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC vice president and provost for Academic Affairs and Workforce Innovation. “This recognition reflects the exceptional commitment of our faculty and staff, and most importantly, the talent and determination of our students.”

College Factual’s rankings consider a variety of factors, including graduation rates, educational resources, accreditation, demand for the major and a school’s focus on registered nursing, using data from sources such as the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.

The recognition comes as STC’s Associate Degree Nursing program continues to report strong student outcomes. In 2025, the program achieved a 99.43% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the national examination for nursing licensure, as well as a 98.6% job placement rate.

“With 99.43% of our 2025 graduates passing the registered nurse licensure exam on their first attempt, our students outperformed state and national pass rates,” Petrosian added. “Our graduates demonstrate that they are prepared to meet the highest standards of the nursing profession. Their success is not only a point of pride for STC; it strengthens the healthcare workforce and the communities of the Rio Grande Valley.”

The website also describes STC as “one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing.”

STC Dean for Health Science Professions Margo Vargas-Ayala, DNP, said the recognition reflects the support, high standards and partnerships that have contributed to the program’s continued success.

“The success of our program is built on a culture of continuous improvement, strong student support, outstanding faculty and meaningful partnerships with healthcare providers throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” she said. “This recognition is a testament to the caring, compassion and commitment to excellence that define both our program and the nursing profession.”

Recent STC Associate Degree Nursing graduate Diego Rosales is among those experiencing the program’s outcomes firsthand. After passing the NCLEX-RN in July, Rosales is preparing to begin his career as a registered nurse in the intensive care unit at Rio Grande Regional Hospital.

“For STC to receive this ranking, I think it’s very accurate and very true to the amazing work of the faculty I had,” he said. “Recently taking my licensure exam, I felt like I was very prepared. The resources they gave us, along with their teaching and the strategies I learned, helped me get through it.”

Rosales credits much of the program’s success to its high standards and faculty who maintain high expectations while remaining accessible to students.

“Having that high bar really prepares us for what comes next, from taking the licensure exam to entering the nursing profession,” he said. “The professors set high expectations, but they’re also very accessible and supportive. Even with so many students in the program, I always felt seen.”

From strong student outcomes to graduates like Rosales entering the local healthcare workforce within months of graduation, STC leaders reaffirmed that the program’s success is a collective effort, rooted in a culture of support, teamwork and a shared commitment to serving the Rio Grande Valley.

“Being recognized as the No. 1 Associate Degree Nursing Program is a reflection of the dedication demonstrated by our faculty, staff, clinical partners and students,” Vargas-Ayala said. “For our students, it reinforces the value of the education they receive at South Texas College and provides confidence that they are entering the workforce with the knowledge and clinical preparation needed to succeed.”