Texas is one of the largest nursing markets in the United States. The state employs more than 250,000 registered nurses and consistently ranks among the top states for nursing job growth, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics projections. Whether you’re starting from scratch or advancing an existing credential, Texas has programs at every level — from CNA certificates to doctoral programs — at community colleges, regional universities, and major research institutions.
Quick reference: nursing programs in Texas
| Program type | Credential | Typical duration | Career entry point |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNA certificate | CNA | 4–8 weeks | Nursing assistant |
| LVN certificate | LVN | 12–18 months | Licensed vocational nurse |
| ADN | RN | 2 years | Registered nurse |
| BSN | RN | 4 years (or 12–18 months for RN-to-BSN) | Registered nurse |
| MSN | Advanced practice / leadership | 2–3 years post-BSN | NP, CNS, educator, administrator |
| DNP | Doctoral advanced practice | 3–4 years post-BSN | NP, CRNA, systems leader |
Texas nursing landscape
Texas has one of the most active healthcare labor markets in the country. Population growth across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin metro areas creates persistent demand for nurses at every level. The Texas Department of State Health Services projects continued nursing shortages across multiple regions, particularly in rural West Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, and East Texas communities.
Texas also has a large military and Veterans Affairs healthcare infrastructure, which creates demand for nurses with specialty credentials and creates PSLF-eligible employer opportunities for nurses with federal student loans.
The Texas Board of Nursing (TX BON) regulates all nursing licenses in the state and sets educational standards that approved nursing programs must meet. Texas participates in the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC), which means Texas-licensed nurses who meet compact requirements can practice in other NLC member states without obtaining separate licenses.
Texas Board of Nursing: licensing requirements
All nursing practice in Texas is governed by the Texas Board of Nursing. Licensing requirements by credential type:
LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse)
- Graduate from a TX BON-approved LVN program
- Pass the NCLEX-PN examination
- Submit application and fees to TX BON (currently $186 for initial licensure)
- Criminal background check required
RN (Registered Nurse)
- Graduate from a TX BON-approved nursing program (ADN or BSN)
- Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
- Submit application and fees to TX BON (currently $186 for initial licensure)
- Criminal background check required
Compact license: Texas is an NLC member state. If you are a Texas resident who holds a Texas RN or LVN license, you automatically hold a multistate license that allows practice in all 40+ NLC states without additional licensure fees. If you move to Texas from another compact state, your license automatically converts to a Texas multistate license when you establish Texas as your primary state of residence.
For detailed licensing steps and endorsement from other states, see the nursing license requirements by state guide.
Types of nursing programs available in Texas
CNA programs
Certified Nursing Assistant programs are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some long-term care facilities. Texas requires a minimum of 100 hours of training (classroom plus clinical), with competency evaluation through the Nurse Aide Testing Program (NAT). Duration ranges from 4–8 weeks. CNA is often the entry point for students who want to test the clinical environment before committing to a full nursing program.
LVN programs
Licensed Vocational Nurse programs in Texas are 12–18 months, offered at community colleges and vocational institutions. LVNs practice under RN or physician supervision and work primarily in long-term care, home health, and physician offices. Texas uses “LVN” where most other states use “LPN” (Licensed Practical Nurse) — the credentials are equivalent.
The LVN-to-RN bridge is a common Texas pathway: complete an LVN program, work for 1–2 years, then apply to an LVN-to-RN bridge program that credits prior LVN training and reduces the ADN requirement to 12–15 additional months.
ADN programs (two-year RN)
Associate Degree in Nursing programs are the most common entry point into RN practice in Texas. Every major community college district in the state — Austin Community College, Dallas College, Houston Community College, San Antonio College, and dozens of smaller institutions — offers an accredited ADN program. ADN programs are 2 years in length (after prerequisites) and produce graduates who are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
ADN programs in Texas are significantly lower cost than four-year BSN programs and have a shorter path to income. Many Texas health systems hire ADN nurses with an expectation that they complete a BSN within 3–5 years. Large Magnet-designated hospital systems in Houston and Dallas increasingly require BSN for staff nurses, which is a consideration when choosing the ADN route.
BSN programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs are four-year degrees offered at state universities (UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, University of Houston, Sam Houston State) and private universities (Baylor, Texas Christian, University of the Incarnate Word, and others). BSN graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN and enter the workforce with more options than ADN graduates, particularly for Magnet hospitals and competitive specialty units.
Texas also has a robust RN-to-BSN completion market for working ADN nurses — online programs through Texas A&M, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, UT Arlington, and others allow nurses to complete BSN requirements while working full-time, typically in 12–18 months. If you’re weighing the ADN now with a BSN completion plan, see is RN to BSN worth it? and is an ADN worth it?.
MSN and DNP programs
Graduate-level programs are offered at research universities and health sciences centers throughout Texas, including UT Health San Antonio, UT Health Houston, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech Health Sciences Center. Graduate programs include NP tracks (FNP, PMHNP, AGPCNP, AGACNP), CRNA, CNS, nursing education, and nursing administration.
Admission requirements: what Texas programs typically expect
Admission standards vary by program type and institution, but common requirements across Texas nursing programs include:
For ADN programs:
- Minimum GPA of 2.5–3.0 on prerequisite coursework
- ATI TEAS or HESI A2 entrance exam (most Texas community colleges use TEAS)
- Prerequisite courses: Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, English Composition, Psychology
- CPR certification
- Background check (typically before clinical rotations)
For BSN programs:
- Minimum GPA of 3.0–3.5 on prerequisites
- TEAS or HESI (varies by institution)
- Prerequisite courses: A&P I and II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, English, Nutrition
- Some programs require 40–80 hours of healthcare volunteer or work experience
Texas nursing program competition varies significantly by region. Community college ADN programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas frequently have wait lists or point-based competitive admission processes. Programs in smaller markets may have more immediate availability. For help preparing for the entrance exam, see ATI TEAS vs. HESI: which exam does your school require?.
NCLEX pass rates in Texas
The Texas BON publishes NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates for approved programs annually. Texas overall RN first-time pass rates have historically tracked near the national average of approximately 80–88% for US-educated candidates (NCSBN data). Individual program pass rates vary considerably.
When evaluating a specific school, look up its NCLEX first-time pass rate on the TX BON website (bon.texas.gov) rather than relying on school marketing materials. Programs with consistently below-average pass rates (below 75% first-time pass) are at risk of TX BON review and may indicate curriculum or support issues.
Cost of nursing school in Texas
Cost ranges depend heavily on whether you choose community college or university:
| Program type | Estimated tuition cost (in-state) |
|---|---|
| CNA certificate | $1,000–$3,000 |
| LVN certificate (community college) | $5,000–$15,000 |
| ADN (community college) | $8,000–$20,000 |
| BSN (public university, in-state) | $30,000–$55,000 total |
| BSN (private university) | $70,000–$130,000 total |
| RN-to-BSN online completion | $8,000–$20,000 |
| MSN (in-state) | $25,000–$50,000 |
These figures reflect tuition and fees only; books, uniforms, equipment, clinical fees, and living expenses add $5,000–$15,000 over a two-to-four year program.
Community college ADN programs in Texas remain the most cost-effective route to RN licensure. The differential between a $12,000 ADN and a $45,000 BSN is substantial — particularly when most Texas employers hire ADN nurses and many offer tuition reimbursement for BSN completion.
Texas nursing salaries and job market
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2023 data), Texas RNs earn a mean annual wage of approximately $80,000–$82,000, with considerable variation by metro area:
- Dallas-Fort Worth metro: approximately $83,000 mean annual wage
- Houston metro: approximately $81,000 mean annual wage
- Austin metro: approximately $80,000 mean annual wage
- San Antonio: approximately $74,000 mean annual wage
Texas salaries are below the national RN mean of approximately $89,000 (BLS, May 2023) but come with no state income tax, which improves take-home pay relative to high-income-tax states like California or New York. Texas also has a lower cost of living than coastal markets, which affects the practical purchasing power of the wage.
LVNs in Texas earn a mean of approximately $54,000–$57,000 annually (BLS, May 2023).
How to choose the right Texas nursing program
Work through these questions in order:
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What credential do you want? LVN, RN-ADN, or RN-BSN? This determines which program type you’re looking at.
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What is your timeline? ADN gets you to RN income fastest; BSN opens more doors long-term. If you choose ADN, have a clear BSN completion plan.
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Where do you want to work? Major Houston and Dallas health systems (Memorial Hermann, Texas Health Resources, UT Southwestern) increasingly require BSN. Community hospitals, long-term care, rural, and outpatient settings hire ADN nurses routinely.
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What can you afford? Community college ADN is usually the right financial decision if cost is a constraint and your target employer hires ADN nurses.
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What is the program’s NCLEX pass rate? Look it up on the TX BON website. Do not choose a program with a consistently below-average pass rate.
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Is the program approved by TX BON and accredited? All programs must be TX BON-approved to qualify you for licensure. Accreditation (ACEN or CCNE) matters for employers and graduate school eligibility.
For guidance on what to expect from the prerequisite science courses before nursing school, see nursing school prerequisites by state.