Are you looking for an exhilarating career that pays well and offers an exceptional benefit package too? Can you envision yourself working in a medical setting? If you answered “yes” to both these questions, you should contemplate beginning a career as a registered nurse (RN). When it comes to RNs in Texas in particular, they make an average salary of $76,800 per year! And like RNs in other states, they also enjoy such perks as retirement packages, health insurance, and paid vacations.
To become an RN, one needs to earn at least an associate degree in nursing, or ADN. As is the case in other states, ADN programs in Texas last just two years. In comparison, graduate- and post-graduate-level RN programs can take up to four or more years to complete.
A career as an RN has proved to be viable even during difficult economic times. Moreover, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the career is growing rapidly and predicts that it will continue to grow for several more years. Choosing to become an RN in Texas, like in any other state, certainly looks to be a wise decision.
Best associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Texas
One of the fastest education paths to becoming a registered nurse (RN) is an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). Associate’s degree options vary by school and may include an associate of science (AS), an associate of art (AA), and/or an associate of applied science (AAS) track. These programs typically take 2-3 years to complete, and all prepare graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
ADN programs require 70-80 credit hours of study to graduate, and many offer evening and weekend schedules to accommodate working professionals. Nursing students typically use the AA and AS programs to prepare for subsequent entry into a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree program. AAS students often seek employment immediately after completing the program and obtaining a registered nursing license.
FIND A SCHOOLAnother education path for aspiring nurses is the licensed vocational nursing (LVN) program. While most LVN tracks are 12- to 18-month certificate programs, a handful of Texas colleges also offer a two-year associate’s degree in vocational nursing. Aspiring LVNs on all tracks are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) upon completion of their studies.
Newly licensed Texas RNs and LVNs can expect an excellent job outlook and competitive salaries. Employment growth nationwide for the 2012-2022 decade is projected at 19% for RNs and 25% for LVNs. Texas-based registered nurses earn a median salary of $67,310 per year, and licensed vocational nurses average $42,930 in annual compensation.
To aid your search for the best associate’s degree programs in Texas, we’ve compiled below a comprehensive list of accredited ADN offerings and organized them by major metropolitan area.
Top 10 Nursing Schools in Texas
1. University of Texas at Austin
Annual In-State Tuition: $10,858-$13,576 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 96.03%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Based in Central Texas, the University of Texas at Austin places emphasis on helping the local community. This philosophy is ground into its nursing programs and many nurses go on to work in these types of communities. Students should definitely apply to this school, but due to high competition, make sure you apply to others in Texas as well.
There are three main BSN Pathways at this university:
- Traditional BSN
- ADN-BSN
- Internal Transfer BSN: for non-nursing majors who want to switch into the program
2. Schreiner University
Annual Tuition: $35,614 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: No
Schreiner University is a private school founded on Presbyterian values. While the school was founded in 1923, Schreiner has only recently started seeing huge growth. The nursing school and the BSN degree are both relatively young and don’t have many graduates. However, nursing students that have earned their degree from Schreiner boast a high NCELX pass rate and good job placement. The annual tuition is high, but many students earn some type of financial aid to help keep costs low.
3. Texas Christian University
Annual Tuition: $53,890 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.16%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
A high tuition rate is to be expected from a private university with a background as strong as Texas Christian University’s. But the cost of the tuition is well worth it to nursing students, especially those who want to become a nurse anesthesiologist. Of course, most students are going to focus on earning their BSN first. BSN students will start their clinical assignment at the beginning of their sophomore year, so you’ll have plenty of experience by the time you graduate.
The university also offers an accelerated BSN for aspiring nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in another field.
We Found the Following Schools with Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Sponsored
At Purdue Global, discover a faster, more affordable way to earn your nursing degree. Purdue Global is committed to keeping your tuition costs as low as possible and helping you find the most efficient path to your degree.
Show more
ACCREDITATION
CCNE
LOCATION
Online
PREREQUISITE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding IL, IN, WI
Walden’s online programs for nursing meet rigorous standards for academic quality and integrity, and the School of Nursing teaching faculty all hold doctorates. With multiple degree completion options, you can choose a bachelor’s in nursing path that makes sense for your busy, unpredictable schedule.
Show more
ACCREDITATION
CCNE
LOCATION
Online
PREREQUISITE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding AK, ID, MA, NH, NY, OK, OR, RI, SD
Capella is proud to have educated more than 15,000 nursing graduates. Of all nurses who come to Capella for their nursing degree, over 90% choose FlexPath, a program that allows you to control your pace and set your own deadlines. With FlexPath, you can complete your RN-to-BSN program in 9 months and under $10,000. Cost varies by pace, transfer credits, and other factors. Fees apply.
Show more
ACCREDITATION
CCNE
LOCATION
Online
PREREQUISITE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
Show more
ACCREDITATION
CCNE
LOCATION
Online
PREREQUISITE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Regis University’s Loretto Heights School of Nursing was named #1 Best College for Nursing in Colorado (2022 Niche.com). We provide a well-rounded nursing education complete with hands-on experiences. It’s the perfect environment to continue building on the humility and compassion you already have, and that you need to care for the whole person. Regis’ bachelors, masters and doctorate-level nursing programs are taught by expert mentors through dynamic curriculum. Accept your challenge. Answer your call. Build your character. Request more information about becoming a nationally-renowned Regis nurse today.
Show more
ACCREDITATION
CCNE
LOCATION
Online
PREREQUISITE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
4. Texas A&M University
Annual In-state Tuition: $13,012 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 99.26%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: No
It’s hard not to immediately notice Texas A&M’s near-perfect NCLEX pass rate! What’s more impressive is that Texas A&M is the largest university in the nation, and its nursing school is proportionately sized. One cool part about the BSN is that students can earn it year-round, taking courses in the winter and summer. This reduces the time required to complete the degree, so graduates can start their nursing career in less than four years.
Texas A&M offers three BSN pathways:
5. University of Texas at Arlington
Annual In-state Tuition: $12,208 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.38%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Based in the northern part of the state the University of Texas at Arlington has over 59,000 students enrolled. This includes their distance learners, some of which are completing their BSN entirely online. This online program has an even lower tuition for in-state students than what’s listed, although nursing students will be required to complete their clinicals in person. For traditional students, the four-year BSN or RN-BSN are offered in Arlington. No matter which option you pick, this is an affordable nursing degree for Texas residents.
6. Texas Woman’s University
Annual In-state Tuition: $13,842 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.70%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes, but only for the RN-to-BSN program
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
As the name implies, Texas Woman’s University is a school that is primarily composed of women. TWU is also one of the top schools in the state for nursing research in areas like women’s health and quality patient outcomes. This school is worth paying attention to for anyone looking to get a graduate degree. But the universities’ focus on graduate studies doesn’t mean they don’t also offer a BSN program – and yes, men are welcome to apply to Texas Woman’s University’s nursing program, too.
There are three tracks at Texas Women’s University:
7. University of Texas at Tyler
Annual In-state Tuition: $14,788 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.75%
Traditional: Yes
Online: No
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Texas at Tyler is another excellent school that’s part of the University of Texas public system. One benefit of the University of Texas at Tyler is that the undergraduate nursing program can also be completed at one of their distance sites in Longview or Palestine. This means that some locals might not have to relocate in order to earn one of the top BSNs in Texas.
There are three BSN tracks at the university:
8. University of St. Thomas
Annual Tuition: $32,484 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.50%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Named for the patron saint of universities and students, the University of St. Thomas has established itself as a top private school in Texas. Located in Houston, nursing students can take advantage of the urban setting and many nearby hospitals while earning clinical experience The ciy is also a great place to find a job after graduation.
There are several tracks to choose from at this university:
- BSN
- Accerlated BSN
- RN to MSN: for ADN educated nurses who wish to bypass a BSN a achieve an MSN
9. Abilene Christian University
Annual Tuition: $40,400 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.39%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: Yes
Bridge: Yes
Abilene Christian University, or ACU, opened their current campus 90 years ago. Since then, ACU has grown into one of the top private schools in Texas, and home to a top nursing school in the region. The BSN curriculum structure is meant to create servant-leaders in the community, a great basis for nurses that might want to attend graduate school at some point. The university offers an on-campus BSN and an online BSN. An online pre-nursing track, as well as a DNP program, are also available through ACU.
10. University of Mary Hardin – Baylor
Annual Tuition: $39,520 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.92%
Traditional: Yes
Online: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
The University of Mary Hardin – Baylor has the distinct honor of being the oldest continuous college in Texas. Interestingly, the school was originally a female college and has since grown to include nearly 4,000 students. Most nursing students at UMHB are enrolled in the BSN program, although there are MSN and Doctor of Education in Nursing programs available as well. Future nursing students who live in Texas can find a more affordable education at a state school, but the high NCLEX pass rate is hard to ignore.
BSN nursing pathways at this university include:
- Traditional BSN
- Accelerated online BSN: for nurses who already have an ADN degree
Associate Degree Nursing
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Nursing Program is Initial Accreditation on December 8, 2017 through Spring 2024. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm
The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program will prepare students with the basic competencies to become safe practitioners in the healthcare field. Upon successful completion of the Associate of Applied Science major in Associate Degree Nursing, the graduate will be able to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). After successful completion of this exam, the individual will be a registered nurse and can work in hospitals, day-surgery centers, rehabilitation centers, physicians’ offices, home health care agencies, among other areas.
The ADN Program is identified as competitive entry and has a selection process based on a competitive point system. Due to limited resources, some applicants who meet all program application requirements may not be admitted to the program for the current application period. Please review the ADN Prospective Student Guide for general information about the program and application.
Information for Interested or Prospective Students
Interested students should attend a Live Virtual Advising Session or review the Prospective Student Guide for program information for Traditional Track, LVN to ADN Track, and EMT Paramedic to ADN Track. The Live Virtual Advising Session or the Student Guide covers admission procedures, program information & requirements, program tracks, point system evaluation, application periods, and clinical requirements. The Live Virtual Session is approximately one hour. Students are responsible for knowing all program information.
Leave a Reply