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Texas Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide contains important information on the many nursing programs offered at Texas’s colleges and universities. Nursing students have a plethora of options when pursuing an undergraduate or a graduate nursing degree and often have numerous concentrations from which to choose, including family nurse practitioner, child health nurse practitioner, nursing administration, and nurse educator. In addition to traditional nursing programs offered at brick and mortar universities, online programs can offer students flexibility and convenience when pursuing a bachelor’s or a master’s in nursing degree.

    Quick Facts

    • 115 schools with nursing programs in Texas are in our database (see below).
    • 68 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 48 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 35 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees in nursing.1
    • 3 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • 3 schools ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • 19 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 8 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Texas

    Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

    • Texas A & M University-College Station (#24 in-state, #64 out-of-state)
    • University of Houston (#89 in-state, #91 out-of-state)
    • University of Texas at Austin (#8 in-state, #29 out-of-state)

    *Institution-wide ranking.

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

    • Angelo State University
    • Baylor University
    • Texas Christian University

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • University of Texas-Austin (#23)
    • University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston (#41 tie)
    • University of Texas-Arlington (#50 tie)
    • Baylor University (#72 tie)
    • University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (#81 tie)
    • Texas Woman’s University (#87 tie)
    • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (#91 tie)
    • Texas Christian University (#105 tie)
    • Texas A & M University-College Station (#110 tie)
    • University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston (#113 tie)
    • Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi (#124 tie)
    • Texas A & M International University (#136 tie)
    • University of Texas-El Paso (#146 tie)
    • University of Texas-Tyler (#160 tie)
    • Midwestern State University (#176 tie)
    • Texas State University (#183 tie)
    • University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (#197 tie)
    • University of the Incarnate Word (#201 tie)
    • Angelo State University (#217 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston (#39 tie)
    • University of Texas-Arlington (#52 tie)
    • Baylor University (#54 tie)
    • Texas Christian University (#79 tie)
    • Texas Woman’s University (#86 tie)
    • University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio (#86 tie)
    • University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston (#105 tie)
    • Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (#109 tie)

    Below you can read profiles of several colleges and universities in Texas that offer undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Texas

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Texas nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Texas Board of Nursing).

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Abilene Christian UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$23,949
    Alvin Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%2292%78$6,283
    Amarillo CollegeYesNoNoACEN96%5578%192$6,154
    Angelina College at Lufkin Traditional Track ADNYesNoNoNo91%58N/AN/A$7,231
    Angelina College at Lufkin Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit ADNYesNoNoNo100%2187%69$7,231
    Angelo State UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A91%34$12,257
    Austin Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN98%5894%213$7,783
    Baptist Health SystemYesYesNoACEN94%2285%188N/A
    Baylor UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92%189$34,900
    Blinn College-BrenhamYesNoNoACEN95%20N/AN/A$10,578
    Blinn College-BryanYesNoNoACEN97%3087%102$10,578
    Brazosport CollegeYesNoNoNo100%1186%28$5,178
    Brookhaven CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A77%75$4,511
    Central Texas CollegeYesNoNoACEN86%4482%87$5,143
    Cisco CollegeYesNoNoNo71%5189%18$7,628
    Clarendon CollegeYesNoNoNo81%4389%N/A$6,275
    Coastal Bend CollegeYesNoNoNo89%9281%21$7,629
    College of the MainlandYesNoNoACEN100%N/A86%63$7,587
    Collin CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A90%109$5,858
    Concordia University TexasNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A96%45$21,567
    Del Mar CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%293%82$4,969
    East Texas Baptist UniversityNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A75%12$18,970
    El Centro CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%1083%308$5,795
    El Paso Community College at Mission Del PasoYesNoNoACEN87%3880%146$3,479
    El Paso Community College Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit MEEP ADNYesNoNoACEN93%15N/AN/A$3,479
    Frank Phillips CollegeYesNoNoNo84%19N/AN/AN/A
    Galveston CollegeYesNoNoACEN85%2686%51$3,743
    Grayson CollegeYesYesNoACEN88%6879%132$7,073
    Hallmark UniversityYesNoNoNoN/AN/A62%63$15,761
    Hill CollegeYesNoNoNo97%3667%27$8,533
    Houston Baptist UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A88%78$19,487
    Houston Community CollegeYesNoNoNo68%11971%175$9,421
    Howard College-Big SpringYesNoNoACEN100%1096%23$5,204
    Howard College-San AngeloYesNoNoACEN96%23N/AN/A$5,204
    Kilgore CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%5168%117$5,557
    Lamar State College-OrangeYesNoNoACEN91%15992%53$2,394
    Lamar State College-Port ArthurYesNoNoACEN93%5551%477$8,931
    Lamar University-BeaumontNoYesYesACENN/AN/A85%150$13,789
    Laredo Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN90%3076%33$4,730
    Lee CollegeYesNoNoACEN86%2285%62$9,328
    Lone Star College-Cy FairYesNoNoACEN100%2270%77$5,670
    Lone Star College-KingwoodYesNoNoACEN90%2170%157$5,670
    Lone Star College-MontgomeryYesNoNoACEN94%1789%64$5,670
    Lone Star College-North HarrisYesNoNoACEN100%1371%86$5,670
    Lone Star College-TomballYesNoNoACEN87%1570%54$5,670
    Lubbock Christian UniversityNoYesYesACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$20,266
    McLennan Community College Multiple Entry-Multiple Exit MEEP ADNYesNoNoACENN/AN/AN/AN/A$7,390
    McLennan Community College Traditional ADNYesNoNoACEN94%1688%90$7,390
    Midland College-Fort StocktonYesNoNoNo100%18N/AN/A$8,015
    Midland College-MidlandYesNoNoNoN/AN/A83%69$8,015
    Midwestern State UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A77%126$10,172
    Mountain View CollegeYesNoNoNoN/AN/A51%35$4,255
    Navarro College-CorsicanaYesNoNoACEN89%2784%80$9,283
    Navarro College-MexiaYesNoNoACEN100%17N/AN/A$9,283
    Navarro College-WaxahachieYesNoNoACEN95%37N/AN/A$9,283
    North Central Texas CollegeYesNoNoACEN89%13084%77$4,940
    Northeast Texas Community CollegeYesNoNoNo92%1369%32$7,099
    Odessa College-AndrewsYesNoNoACEN86%28N/AN/A$5,993
    Odessa College-MonahansYesNoNoACEN52%31N/AN/A$5,993
    Odessa College-OdessaYesNoNoACENN/AN/A54%76$5,993
    Panola CollegeYesNoNoACEN75%4496%48$9,263
    Paris Junior CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%5484%50$6,780
    Patty Hanks Shelton School of NursingNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A69%84N/A
    Prairie View A&M UniversityNoYesYesACEN/CCNEN/AN/A80%165$8,628
    Ranger CollegeYesNoNoNo84%5568%19$6,381
    Sam Houston State UniversityNoYesNoACEN/CCNEN/AN/A74%23$11,260
    San Antonio CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A70%353$6,977
    San Jacinto College-CentralYesNoNoACENN/AN/A81%143$7,483
    San Jacinto College-NorthYesNoNoNo96%5781%N/A$7,483
    San Jacinto College-SouthYesNoNoACEN86%83100%27$7,483
    Schreiner UniversityNoYesNoCCNE93%2779%24$19,983
    South Plains College-LevellandYesNoNoACEN94%1796%55$4,266
    South Plains College-PlainviewYesNoNoACEN86%14N/AN/A$4,266
    South Plains College-LubbockYesNoNoACEN91%47N/AN/A$4,266
    South Texas CollegeYesNoNoNo84%10380%187$1,320
    Southwestern Adventist UniversityYesYesNoCCNEN/AN/A85%34$18,116
    Southwest Texas Junior CollegeYesNoNoNo95%3793%14N/A
    St. Philip’s College-New BraunfelsYesNoNoNo100%5N/AN/A$6,383
    St. Philip’s College-San AntonioYesNoNoNo84%115N/AN/A$6,383
    Stephen F. Austin State UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A88%118$13,758
    Sul Ross UniversityYesYesNoNo100%8N/AN/AN/A
    Tarleton State UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A84%109$11,926
    Tarrant County CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A82%244$5,808
    Temple College-TaylorYesNoNoACEN100%18N/AN/A$5,178
    Temple College-TempleYesNoNoACEN94%4781%81$5,178
    Texarkana CollegeYesNoNoACEN92%3663%98$9,383
    Texas A&M UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A78%214$11,725
    Texas A&M-Health Science CenterNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A98%89N/A
    Texas A&M International UniversityNoYesYesACENN/AN/A95%40$4,639
    Texas Christian UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A86%205$31,087
    Texas Southmost CollegeYesNoNoACEN88%3446%110N/A
    Texas State Technical College-West TexasYesNoNoNo88%3289%38N/A
    Texas State Technical College-HarlingenYesNoNoNo100%2263%19N/A
    Texas State University-San MarcosNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A99%98$11,871
    Texas Tech University-El PasoNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A60%65N/A
    Texas Tech University-LubbockNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A85%299N/A
    Texas Woman’s UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A91%380$8,596
    Trinity Valley Community College-KaufmanYesNoNoACEN100%2281%145$7,462
    Trinity Valley Community College-PalestineYesNoNoACEN92%25N/AN/A$7,462
    Tyler Junior CollegeYesNoNoNo90%11082%160$7,435
    University of Houston-VictoriaNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A95%44$10,131
    University of the Incarnate WordNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A86%66$20,337
    University of Mary Hardin BaylorNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A86%164$23,307
    University of St. ThomasNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/A68%19$20,865
    University of Texas at ArlingtonNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A87%438$11,622
    University of Texas at Austin BSNNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A94%125$16,832
    University of Texas at Austin MSNNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A94%50N/A
    University of Texas at El PasoNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A85%227$5,607
    University of Texas-Rio Grande ValleyNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A83%95N/A
    University of Texas at TylerNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A90%215N/A
    University of Texas-HoustonNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A95%327N/A
    University of Texas-San AntonioNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A78%344N/A
    University of Texas-GalvestonNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A93%267N/A
    University of Texas of the Permian BasinNoYesNoCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$8,245
    Vernon CollegeYesNoNoNo80%13171%89$5,377
    Victoria CollegeYesNoNoACEN94%9584%96$7,324
    Vista CollegeYesNoNoNo89%95N/AN/A$17,231
    Wayland Baptist UniversityNoYesYesACENN/AN/A63%N/A$16,452
    Weatherford CollegeYesNoNoACEN95%4291%87$6,428
    West Texas A&M UniversityYesYesYesCCNEN/AN/A98%49$11,754
    Western Governors UniversityNoYesYesNoN/AN/A71%7N/A
    Wharton County Junior CollegeYesNoNoNo84%2587%46$3,969

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between January 1 2014-December 31 2014.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing between October 1 2014-September 30 2015.8 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in Texas with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Austin Community College
    Austin Community College (ACC) offers two ways to obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing through traditional and mobility tracks. The mobility track program is geared towards students who are already licensed as healthcare professionals wishing to become registered nurses. This program typically requires one year of study. Students who are new to nursing or who are unlicensed in other healthcare areas may prefer the traditional track. Not including completion of prerequisite courses, this program typically requires four semesters of study. The goal of ACC’s nursing program is to empower future nurses to administer complete patient care by addressing both physical symptoms as well as mental and emotional health. Graduates of these programs are qualified to apply to take the NCLEX exam for RN licensure. Throughout the program, students receive an extensive educational foundation in the classroom through online and hands-on learning. The nursing program at ACC is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

    North Central Texas College
    North Central Texas College offers an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program that teaches future nurses the knowledge and skills necessary to embark on careers as beginning practitioners of nursing. Students are prepared to provide direct patient care across a spectrum of healthcare settings through classroom instruction as well as directly supervised clinical experiences in area hospitals and clinics. Nursing courses are grouped in progressive levels of complexity and students must successfully complete all coursework in one level before progressing to the next. Essential competencies identified by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) are evident throughout the curriculum and include Member of the Profession, Provider of Patient-Centered Care, Patient Safety Advocate, and Member of the Health Care Team. Courses include Health Assessment Across the Life Span, Intro to Professional Nursing, Care of the Patient with Common and Complex Health Care Needs, and Integrated Patient Care Management. Students who are interested in a four-year degree may wish to pursue North Central Texas College’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Pathway, which allows students to transition from the ADN coursework to BSN programs at several partner 4-year colleges and universities. Graduates of the ADN program are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for licensing through the Texas BON.

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    University of Texas at Austin
    Graduates of the University of Texas at Austin’s highly competitive Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students will begin focusing predominately on nursing courses in the final two years of the four-year program. The nursing curriculum covers adult health nursing, genetics in health care, nursing care of families and children, and conceptual bases of aging. Students will also complete mandatory clinical practicums. Nursing majors may also want to join one of the many on-campus nursing clubs: the African American Student Nursing Association, Green Team, the Hispanic Nursing Student Association, the Longhorn Association for Men in Nursing, the Texas Nursing Student Association, and the University of Texas Nursing Students Association.

    Sam Houston State University
    Sam Houston State University awards the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year, 121 credit undergraduate program. Students will complete 59 credits in general college coursework and 62 credits in nursing courses. The nursing curriculum covers such topics as adult health, women’s health and maternal newborn nursing, nursing fundamentals, and health assessment. Mandatory practicums provide real-world, hands-on experience in a clinical setting. Nursing majors may want to join the Student Nurse Association. Graduates of the program have the necessary qualifications to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    Texas Woman’s University
    Texas Woman’s University’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program features concentrations in adult health nurse practitioner, family health nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, women’s health nurse practitioner, adult health clinical nurse leader, child health clinical nurse leader, nursing health systems management, and nursing education. The MSN program is offered at the Denton, Dallas, and Houston campuses. Students are permitted to enroll on a full-time or on a part-time basis. The MSN program is run in a hybrid format with some concentrations allowing for predominately online study. Still, all concentrations require students to be on campus to some extent.

    Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi
    Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi affords graduate students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) online or on campus in such concentrations as family nurse practitioner, leadership in nursing systems, and nurse educator. Students are permitted to enroll in the program on a full-time or on a part-time basis. The program requires 37 credits and up to 270 clinical practicum hours depending on the concentration. Nursing scholarships are awarded each fall, spring, and summer, and assistantships may be available for eligible students. Successful applicants must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a current registered nursing license and must provide letters of recommendation and official transcripts.

    Online Nursing Programs

    Lamar University
    Lamar University’s online division features several nursing programs, including the RN to BSN, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and the Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Students, who hold an associate’s degree and are licensed registered nurses, may want to pursue the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The 120-credit program, which combines general college coursework with core and elective nursing courses, generally takes four years to complete. The 36-credit Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program allows for full-time or part-time study and students can complete their degree entirely online. Graduate students choose between one of three tracks: the nursing administration track, the nursing education track, or the nursing and business dual track. Students pursuing the nursing administration degree will complete coursework in planning and organizing healthcare as well as directing and controlling healthcare delivery in addition to clinical work and an evidence-based project. The nursing education track, which prepares graduates to teach, requires students to complete a practicum in which they work in a school or other educational setting. The accelerated MSN program offers the same nursing administration and nursing education track as the traditional MSN with start dates offered three times throughout the year. The program can also be completed on a full-time or on a part-time basis.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    McMurry University
    1400 Sayles Blvd
    Abilene, TX 79605
    (325) 793-3800
    https://mcm.edu/

    Student Review: “I have been attending McMurry for the last 2 years for my prerequisite course for my BSN in nursing. I am very pleased with the curriculum McMurry has offered. The class schedules are very well organized and I have never had any issues with my classes overlapping one another. The professors at McMurry are very professional and good at instructing. They are very approachable and always have an open door. The classes here are average size. I never felt like I was just another student. All my professors knew my name within the first week of class. I am very happy with my experience at McMurry and I feel like this school has prepared me for my future career goals.” -Student at McMurry University
    stars-5

    Stephen F. Austin State University
    1936 North St
    Nagadoches, TX 75962
    (936) 468-3401
    https://www.sfasu.edu/

    Student Review: “I have been a college student here at SFA for 2 years and I can honestly say that the nursing program has its pros and cons. I have attended a lot of meetings strictly for the incoming nursing students. At these meetings, you talk with people who have already completed the nursing program and they tell you about all of the good things you have to give up on like sleep and friends. Nursing anywhere is really competitive, yet in this school a majority are nursing majors and so the competition is really high. I have had to spend countless nights staying up for class, studying, etc just to compete with the GPA’s of other nursing majors. Overall, I have enjoyed the meetings and fun nights they set up for us students; however, the competitiveness is extremely difficult.” – Student at Stephen F. Austin State University
    stars-3

    Student Review: “As a nursing student at SFASU, I had an average experience I the program. I was disappointed in the lack of support by my fellow students. If you do not already have friends at the school, it may prove difficult to find a study group to fit into. The curriculum of the nursing program is good quality, but the classes are far too long sitting in one classroom in the same seat. As a student I found my mind wondering quite frequently due to long hours. The only way I found success was by recording the lectures, and listening to them a little at a time on my own time. The clinical instructors that I rotated through were very helpful, and they have small groups that allow for one on one time that I also found extremely beneficial. If this program offered a fast track program I believe I would be more satisfied with the program overall; however, I find the program to be sufficient.” – Student at Stephen F. Austin State University
    stars-4

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. Texas Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians: https://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/board_meetings_pdfs/2015/April/Agenda.pdf
    8. Texas Board of Registered Nursing: https://www.bon.texas.gov/pdfs/board_meetings_pdfs/2015/January/3-2-9-a.pdf