The University of Texas at San Antonio School of Nursing’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program has been ranked second overall in Texas and named the “Best for Hybrid Learning,” according to a 2026 guide published by Allnurses, one of the nation’s largest support communities for nursing professionals.
The guide evaluated programs across the state based on peer reviews, clinical support and affordability, with the purpose of helping prospective students navigate the state’s competitive PMHNP program landscape. Allnurses noted that UT San Antonio’s hybrid model, which combines online coursework with on-campus training, makes it a strong fit for registered nurses who are already working bedside while pursuing advanced practice credentials.
The school’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice program can be completed in 36 months, with a 20-month post-graduate option available. In-state tuition runs approximately $30,200, placing it among the most cost-effective paths to a DNP degree in the state. All the school’s programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
“This recognition reflects what our faculty and students work toward every day, a program that supports nurses right where they are,” said School of Nursing Dean Sonya R. Hardin, PhD, RN, APRN, FAAN. “We know that the nurses who are best positioned to address Texas’ mental health needs are often already at the bedside. Our hybrid model was built so they don’t have to choose between serving their patients now and advancing their practice for the future.”
The recognition comes at a moment of significant demand for psychiatric mental health providers across Texas. Projections for 2026 place the average Texas PMHNP salary at approximately $130,000, with Houston and Dallas markets trending above $135,000 and rural and West Texas positions commanding additional shortage differentials, according to the guide.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nurse practitioner employment to grow much faster than average over the next decade, driven by an aging population and the increasing need to expand access to mental health services.
With more than a dozen nursing programs in the San Antonio area, the hybrid PMHNP designation further strengthens the position of UT San Antonio’s School of Nursing by offering a high-value, clinically integrated pathway that enhances the depth and breadth of nursing education in a highly competitive market.
“Texas has a critical need for qualified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioners, and San Antonio is no exception,” said program director Mark D. Soucy, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FAANP. “What excites me most about this recognition is that it affirms our ability to train highly competent PMHNPs right here. These are practitioners who will stay in this region and serve the communities that urgently need them.”
To learn more about the School of Nursing’s academic programs, visit uthscsa.edu/nursing/programs.