Texas is one of the largest nursing markets in the United States. The state employs roughly 261,000 registered nurses and consistently ranks among the top states for nursing job growth, with state projections pointing to about 15% growth and roughly 17,710 annual openings – triple the national RN growth rate. 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 the licensure-by-examination application and fee through the Texas Nurse Portal
- Register separately with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX, which costs $200
- Complete the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and a fingerprint-based criminal background check
RN (Registered Nurse)
- Graduate from a TX BON-approved nursing program (ADN or BSN)
- Pass the NCLEX-RN examination
- Submit the licensure-by-examination application and fee through the Texas Nurse Portal
- Register separately with Pearson VUE for the NCLEX, which costs $200
- Complete the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and a fingerprint-based criminal background check
Budget for the application fee and the $200 Pearson VUE registration as separate charges, plus fingerprinting. The TX BON recommends completing Pearson VUE registration at least 30 days before graduation, because your Authorization to Test cannot be issued until that registration is on file. Board fees change periodically, so confirm the current application fee on the Texas Nurse Portal rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.
Compact license: Texas is an NLC member state. If you are a Texas resident who holds a Texas RN or LVN license and meet the uniform licensure requirements, you hold a multistate license that allows practice in the 40 states where the compact is implemented, without additional licensure fees. That distinction matters – 43 jurisdictions have enacted compact legislation, and Massachusetts, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have enacted it without setting an implementation date, so a multistate license does not yet grant practice privileges in those. If you move to Texas from another compact state, you apply to convert your license to a Texas multistate license when you establish Texas as your primary state of residence. Of the four states bordering Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Oklahoma have all implemented the compact.
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 Health and Human Services requires an approved Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) to run a minimum of 100 clock hours: 60 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of hands-on resident care in a nursing facility, with at least 16 introductory hours completed before any direct client contact. HHSC offers the 60 classroom hours through computer-based training, but the clinical hours must be completed in person under licensed nurse supervision. 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 every approved program annually, and its April 2026 board report gives the 2025 results in full.
Texas programs posted a 2025 NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate of 88.63% (14,580 of 16,451 candidates), above the national average of 86.71%. On the NCLEX-PN, Texas candidates passed at 91.9% (3,899 of 4,244). Texas is one of only four states – with California, Florida, and New York – producing more than 10,000 first-time NCLEX-RN candidates a year, so the state average is drawn from an unusually large and stable sample.
The spread between Texas programs is where the decision really gets made. In 2025, 75 of the state’s professional nursing programs (54.35%) posted pass rates of 90% or higher, including 12 programs at 100%. At the other end, 18 programs (13.04%) fell below 80% and are required to submit a Self-Study Report to the board. Under TX BON Rule 215.4(c), approval status is determined biennially on the basis of a program’s compliance audit, NCLEX-RN pass rate, and other pertinent data, and programs below 80% for consecutive years can be moved to Full Approval with Warning.
That 80% line is the meaningful benchmark, and it comes from the regulator rather than from a rankings site. When evaluating a specific school, look up its own first-time pass rate in the TX BON report at bon.texas.gov rather than relying on school marketing materials. Among programs named in this guide, 2025 first-time rates ranged widely: Texas Christian University 97.06%, Baylor University 96.13%, Sam Houston State 95.48%, Austin Community College 95.17%, Dallas College 90.50%, University of Texas at Austin 90.91%, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at Lubbock 85.83%, and San Antonio College 81.82%. A well-regarded institutional name does not guarantee a top-quartile pass rate, and several community college programs outperform university programs in the same metro.
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
Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for May 2025 places the median annual wage for Texas RNs at $95,970, against a national RN median of $97,550. Texas sits within about $1,600 of the national midpoint, which is a materially different picture from the one older figures suggest.
| Percentile | Texas RN annual wage | National RN annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,120 | $68,940 |
| 25th | $79,170 | $80,330 |
| Median | $95,970 | $97,550 |
| 75th | $105,100 | $112,350 |
| 90th | $127,950 | $137,470 |
Texas tracks the national distribution closely at the bottom and diverges at the top. New graduates entering near the 10th percentile earn within $1,800 of the national equivalent, and the 25th percentile gap is smaller still at roughly $1,200. The gap opens at the 90th percentile, where Texas trails by about $9,500 – the top of the Texas market is thinner than in states with large unionized or high-cost coastal systems.
Two factors work in the reader’s favor here and are frequently understated. Texas levies no state income tax, so a Texas RN keeps more of a nominally similar gross wage than a California or New York counterpart. Texas also has a lower cost of living than coastal markets. Taken together, a Texas median that sits marginally below the national median translates into purchasing power that compares favorably with states whose headline wages look considerably higher.
Licensed vocational nurses in Texas earn a median of $62,240 annually, with a 10th percentile of $48,910 and a 90th of $76,140, against a national LPN/LVN median of $64,400. Nurse practitioners in Texas earn a median of $131,670, close to the national NP median of $132,300, with a 90th percentile of $161,980.
On job growth, Texas is projected to add registered nursing positions at about 15% over its projection decade, with roughly 17,710 annual openings statewide – triple the national growth rate of 5% for 2024 to 2034. The national projection carries about 189,100 openings per year, most of which is replacement demand rather than net new positions. Texas is one of the few large states where genuine expansion, rather than replacement alone, drives a substantial share of the hiring.
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.
Find accredited schools in Texas
Ready to compare specific programs? See our directory of accredited nursing schools in Texas with locations, program types, and accreditation status.
References
- Texas Board of Nursing, “Report of 2025 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates for Professional Nursing Education Programs,” Agenda Item 3-2-13, Board Meeting April 2026, bon.texas.gov.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Rules and Regulations Relating to Nurse Education, Licensure and Practice, Rule 215.4(c), “Approval Status,” accessed July 2026.
- Texas Board of Nursing, “Licensure by Examination: requirements, Pearson VUE registration, and Nursing Jurisprudence Examination,” bon.texas.gov, accessed July 2026.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “2025 NCLEX Examination Statistics,” NCSBN Research Brief, Vol. 96, June 2026, Table 8 and Table 14.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, “Registered Nurses (SOC 29-1141), Texas state estimates,” May 2025 (released 2026); percentile data accessed via O*NET OnLine local wages.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, “Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (SOC 29-2061), Texas state estimates,” May 2025.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, “Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), Texas state estimates,” May 2025.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses, 2024–2034 employment projections (5% national growth; approximately 189,100 annual openings).
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission, “Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP)” and “Become a Certified Nurse Aide in Texas,” hhs.texas.gov, accessed July 2026.
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing, “Nurse Licensure Compact: implementation status by jurisdiction,” nursecompact.com, accessed July 2026.