McALLEN, Texas — South Texas College’s Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program has captured the No. 1 ranking in Texas, outperforming 52 other higher education institutions across the Lone Star State according to a prominent national data resource.
The achievement was a central point of celebration during STC’s Fall 2026 Convocation, where President Ricardo J. Solis shared the exciting news with faculty and staff, highlighting the college’s stellar performance in student outcomes and licensure pass rates.
According to College Factual, a national higher education data and analytics resource, STC’s nursing program clinched the top spot in Texas and was also ranked No. 2 among 96 schools evaluated across the entire Southwest region. Furthermore, the publication recognized STC as "one of the finest schools in the country for getting an associate degree in registered nursing."
Addressing attendees at the convocation, Dr. Solis emphasized the exceptional standard set by STC graduates, pointing to a remarkable 99.43% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for the 2025 academic year, alongside a 98.6% job placement rate.
“When I stood up and talked about our passing rate, they could not believe it,” Solis said, recounting a recent gathering with presidents from elite private universities nationwide, including institutions specializing in nursing. “These are institutions that take four years for the same program that we can do in two to three years. It shows that our population, our demographics, the Latinos, South Texas, we can achieve whatever we want to.”
By comparison, the average pass rate across Texas stands at 88%, while the national average is 86%. STC’s performance marks the second consecutive year the program has secured top honors.
Anahid Petrosian, Ph.D., STC vice president and provost for Academic Affairs and Workforce Innovation, noted that the ranking reflects the dedication of the college community.
“South Texas College is tremendously proud to see our Associate Degree Nursing program recognized as the No. 1 program of its kind in Texas,” Petrosian said, in a press release from STC. “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.”
In his remarks at the Convocation, President Solis gave a shoutout to STC Dean for Health Science Professions Margo Vargas-Ayala, DNP. In an STC press release, Vargas-Ayala credited the program's success to a culture of continuous improvement, robust student backing, and strong collaborative ties with local medical providers.
“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,” Vargas-Ayala said. “This recognition is a testament to the caring, compassion and commitment to excellence that define both our program and the nursing profession.”
Solis also echoed this sentiment, extending gratitude to regional hospitals, clinics, and healthcare partners who provide clinical training grounds for students.
Recent graduate Diego Rosales, who passed his NCLEX-RN exam in July and is now launching his career in the intensive care unit at Rio Grande Regional Hospital, praised the high expectations and support system provided by faculty.
“Having that high bar really prepares us for what comes next, from taking the licensure exam to entering the nursing profession,” Rosales said, in an STC press release. “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.”
College Factual’s evaluation methodology incorporates graduation rates, educational resources, accreditation, major demand, and institutional focus on registered nursing, drawing data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard.
