Ranked by NCLEX pass rates, affordability, and graduate earnings — with program-level data for every approved Texas LVN school.
Texas projects over 5,800 LVN job openings annually through 2032, with a median salary of $48,770. That demand supports a broad network of training options; 29 accredited LPN programs are compared based on net price, graduate earnings, and completion rates. Costs and outcomes vary sharply across the state: in-district tuition at some colleges stays under $2,000, while net price at others can exceed $10,000 after aid. Graduate median earnings range from around $34,000 to more than $45,000, depending on region. Choosing an LVN program in Texas is therefore as much a financial calculation as an academic one. Your first few years of income will reflect the program you pick.
Texas offers a wide range of high-quality LVN programs, with options spanning from border communities to major metro areas. The following ranking highlights the top 10 programs based on affordability, graduate outcomes, and program features. All listed schools are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and prepare you for the NCLEX-PN exam.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of the Mainland | Texas City, TX | ~$1,000/yr (est.) | Houston-area learners seeking affordability | |
College of the Mainland’s Vocational Nursing program stands out as the overall best value in Texas for 2026. With an institution-wide net price of just $1,342 after aid and a median graduate debt of only $5,960, this 12-month program is exceptionally affordable. Graduates report median earnings of $39,639 ten years out, and the program boasts a 95% NCLEX-PN pass rate. The program is exclusively campus-based in Texas City and requires a HESI A2 entrance exam, with a spring start and small class sizes that ensure personalized mentorship.
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| #2 | Laredo College | Laredo, TX | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | South Texas residents seeking fast licensure | |
Laredo College’s Vocational Nursing Certificate II is a fast, 12-month program with a total program tuition of just $5,300. It features a high 95% licensure pass rate and prepares graduates for high-demand nursing roles in South Texas. While the net price after aid is $5,798, graduates carry remarkably low median debt of $2,959, and the program’s strong ROI is underscored by a median graduate earnings figure of $33,934 ten years later. Admission is competitive, requiring a 2.5 GPA and ATI TEAS scores; the program starts each fall.
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| #3 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX | $2,000 – $8,000/yr | Fort Worth students planning BSN bridge | |
Tarrant County College offers a highly effective Vocational Nursing certificate at its Trinity River Campus East in Fort Worth. The program carries a total tuition of $5,170, and its 2023 cohort achieved a perfect 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate. Institution-wide, the net price is $4,337, and graduates see median earnings of $42,727 ten years out, among the highest in this ranking. The 45-credit hour curriculum is designed to stack into a bachelor’s degree, making it a strong stepping stone for those planning to continue to an RN or BSN. This is a selective admission, campus-based program with financial aid and military benefits accepted.
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| #4 | El Paso Community College | El Paso, TX | ~$3,000/yr (est.) | ||
El Paso Community College’s Vocational Nursing Certificate has been educating nurses since 1972, with NCLEX pass rates consistently above national averages. The program offers both traditional daytime and evening/weekend tracks, making it accessible for working students. The net price is just $3,206, and graduates earn a median of $35,212 ten years later. While the institution’s overall graduation rate is lower, the nursing program’s long history and strong regional reputation in West Texas make it a solid choice.
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| #5 | Texas Southmost College | Brownsville, TX | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Texas Southmost College in Brownsville offers a 12-month LVN Certificate of Proficiency that deeply serves the Rio Grande Valley. The estimated total program cost is $11,000-$13,000, and the net price after aid averages $3,085. Graduates see median earnings of $41,900, one of the higher figures on this list. Admission requires TEAS 7, letters of recommendation, and a criminal background check. The program includes clinical affiliations with local hospitals and clinics, ensuring hands-on experience in real healthcare settings.
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| #6 | Northeast Texas Community College | Mount Pleasant, TX | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northeast Texas Community College’s Vocational Nursing Certificate is a standout for its exceptionally high institutional graduation rate of 55.9%, the strongest completion metric in this ranking. The three-semester, 48-credit program is designed for rural East Texas healthcare needs, with clinical experiences covering med-surg, OB, peds, and mental health. The net price is $6,706, and graduates earn a median of $37,870. Small class sizes and a supportive environment help students succeed.
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| #7 | St Philip's College | San Antonio, TX | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
St. Philip’s College in San Antonio provides a 12-month, full-time Vocational Nursing program with an impressive 90% NCLEX pass rate and 85% job placement. As a historically Black and Hispanic-serving institution, the program is diverse and community-oriented. A unique advantage: eligible San Antonio residents can receive free tuition through the city’s Ready to Work initiative. The net price is $4,273, and graduates earn $38,224 median ten-year earnings. Admission requires TEAS, and monthly virtual info sessions are available.
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| #8 | Lamar State College-Orange | Orange, TX | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | ||
Lamar State College-Orange offers a campus-based Vocational Nursing Certificate with an exceptionally low net price of $1,655, the second-lowest in this group. The program focuses on practical skills for entry-level nursing in Southeast Texas. Graduates earn a median of $36,587, and median debt is $10,959. While program highlights are limited, the rock-bottom net price makes it a compelling option for cost-conscious students in the Golden Triangle region.
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| #9 | Odessa College | Odessa, TX | $3,000 – $5,000/yr | ||
Odessa College’s Vocational Nursing Dual Credit Certificate is a unique two-year pathway for high school juniors and seniors in West Texas. In partnership with local ISDs, students start nursing coursework in 11th grade and can complete the LVN program by the summer after high school graduation. The program has a net price of $6,368 and graduates earn a median of $42,026. It requires TEAS, a 2.5 GPA, CPR certification, and a background check. This early-entry model is rare and highly efficient for motivated teens.
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| #10 | Southwest Texas Junior College | Uvalde, TX | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | ||
Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde offers a Vocational Nursing program focused on serving diverse communities in rural Southwest Texas. The net price is $7,372, and graduates earn a median of $35,563. The program emphasizes critical thinking, ethical practice, and hands-on clinical experience. It prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and entry-level practice in a variety of settings. While information is more general, it fills an important workforce need in its region.
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LVN programs in Texas range widely in both sticker price and out-of-pocket cost after financial aid. The figures below show in-state and out-of-state tuition alongside net price and graduate debt, helping you compare value. Note that median earnings reflect all institution graduates and may not represent LVN-specific outcomes.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Mainland | $3,450 | $4,140 | $1,342 | $5,960 | $39,639 |
| Lamar State College-Orange | $2,832 | $13,824 | $1,655 | $10,959 | $36,587 |
| South Texas College | $5,220 | $7,620 | $1,751 | N/A | $36,788 |
| Victoria College | $4,440 | $5,328 | $3,043 | $10,500 | $42,382 |
| Texas Southmost College | $3,748 | $4,948 | $3,085 | $9,000 | $41,900 |
| El Paso Community College | $3,274 | $5,314 | $3,206 | $6,566 | $35,212 |
| Del Mar College | $5,000 | $6,050 | $3,399 | $5,500 | $38,656 |
| Coastal Bend College | $4,776 | $5,226 | $4,237 | N/A | $35,086 |
| St Philip's College | $5,542 | $9,952 | $4,273 | $9,500 | $38,224 |
| Tarrant County College District | $3,537 | $8,370 | $4,337 | $9,104 | $42,727 |
| Midland College | $4,920 | $6,180 | $4,512 | $10,670 | $43,958 |
| San Antonio College | $5,542 | $9,952 | $4,585 | $10,500 | $39,711 |
| Amarillo College | $3,168 | $4,704 | $4,600 | $15,000 | $41,302 |
| Wharton County Junior College | $4,656 | $5,904 | $4,666 | $7,703 | $44,960 |
| McLennan Community College | $4,200 | $5,910 | $5,051 | $10,500 | $39,163 |
Becoming a licensed vocational nurse in Texas follows a clear sequence regulated by the Texas Board of Nursing. The process typically takes 12–18 months and combines classroom instruction, clinical training, and two exams.
Texas LVN licensure follows a clear path: complete an approved program, pass the NCLEX-PN, and apply to the Texas Board of Nursing. The process is standardized but requires attention to prerequisites and exam preparation.
In Texas, the title is Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), while most other states use Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). The scope of practice, education, and NCLEX-PN exam are identical. If you earn your license in Texas as an LVN and later move, you will be recognized as an LPN in other states. The terms are interchangeable in job postings and nursing discussions.
Admission to an LVN program in Texas typically requires:
Some programs also require CPR certification, physical exam, or drug screening before clinical rotations. Check individual program websites for exact criteria, as community colleges and private schools may set different cutoffs.
Approved LVN programs blend classroom instruction, hands-on lab work, and supervised clinical rotations. The curriculum covers fundamentals of nursing, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health. Lab sessions let you practice skills like inserting catheters, administering injections, and wound care on manikins. Clinical rotations then place you in hospitals, long-term care facilities, or clinics under the supervision of an RN or LVN instructor. Total clinical hours typically range from 500 to 800, giving you real patient care experience before graduation.
After completing your program, you must pass the NCLEX-PN to obtain licensure. The exam is computerized and adapts to your performance, typically administering 85 to 150 questions. It uses multiple-choice and alternate format questions (like select-all-that-apply) to test your nursing judgment. The passing standard is set by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Registration is done through Pearson VUE after your program sends your eligibility to the Texas Board of Nursing.
Texas LVN programs consistently produce strong first-time pass rates. For 2024, the statewide first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate was 93.25%. Among all Texas LVN programs, 69 had pass rates of 90% or higher, and 35 achieved a perfect 100%. For example, Alvin Community College, Angelina College at Lufkin (both traditional and MEEP tracks) all reported 100% of graduates passing on their first attempt. Rates vary by program, and prospective students can compare published pass rates as one factor in choosing a school. For instance, Arlington Career Institute reported a 73.33% first-time pass rate, which is below the state average.
Once you pass the NCLEX-PN, you submit a licensure application to the Texas Board of Nursing. The process includes:
You may work as a graduate nurse under a temporary permit while awaiting results, but rules are strict. Once licensed, plan to renew every two years with continuing education requirements.
The most condensed LVN programs in Texas currently run 12 months, as no school advertises a 9-month track for 2025-2026. Standard vocational nursing programs in the state typically take 12 to 18 months, but a handful of colleges compress the curriculum into three consecutive terms with no extended breaks.
Accelerated LVN programs achieve a faster timeline primarily through year-round scheduling. Instead of following traditional fall and spring semesters with a long summer hiatus, these programs stack fall, spring, and summer terms back-to-back. Some also condense semesters from 16 weeks to 12 or 13 weeks, fitting the same content into a tighter window. For example, Wharton County Junior College structures its licensed vocational nursing program as three continuous terms. Collin College follows a similar model, though its prerequisite course BIOL 2404, which must be completed before application, adds an additional semester, so total time from prerequisite start to licensure may exceed 12 months.
Several institutions currently offer LVN completion in 12 months. They represent both community college and private vocational pathways:
All of these programs are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and prepare graduates for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.
A shorter timeline comes with a heavier weekly workload. Because clinical hour requirements remain identical to longer programs, the Board of Nursing does not reduce clinical competencies for accelerated tracks, the curriculum is simply packed into fewer weeks. Students often attend clinical rotations four or five days a week, leaving less time for part-time jobs or family obligations. Admission requirements may be stricter, with higher prerequisite GPAs or standardized test scores expected. For instance, Collin College’s prerequisite alone can act as a filter, requiring a strong science foundation before entering the nursing core.
If you can commit to an intensive schedule and want to enter the workforce quickly, a 12-month LVN program can be a direct route to a nursing career. It demands excellent time management and a reliable support system, but it offers the same license as a longer program. Before enrolling, verify each school’s exact clinical schedule, prerequisite requirements, and total costs, as they can vary even among accelerated tracks.
LVN program completers go on to earn competitive wages in Texas. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for LVNs in the state is $48,770.
Texas is projected to add over 5,800 LVN job openings annually through 2032, with total employment expected to grow 12.45% during that period. The largest nursing markets are concentrated in Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston, while median pay varies significantly across the state's metro areas.
| Metro Area | Total Employment | Annual Median Wage | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 13,490 | $61,930 | $58,910 | $69,120 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 11,260 | $61,700 | $57,430 | $68,990 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 6,010 | $60,740 | $55,200 | $63,290 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | 3,390 | $63,100 | $60,180 | $71,140 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | 2,070 | $50,020 | $45,830 | $57,180 |
| El Paso, TX | 1,620 | $56,740 | $50,740 | $60,800 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | 1,280 | $60,940 | $52,040 | $70,120 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | 1,240 | $54,050 | $47,510 | $57,350 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | 1,000 | $57,040 | $46,850 | $61,270 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | 990 | $58,290 | $49,880 | $61,240 |
Can you complete LVN training entirely online in Texas? The short answer is no: the Texas Board of Nursing mandates in-person clinical rotations and hands-on skills labs for licensure eligibility.1 However, a handful of accredited LPN programs let you complete the didactic (theory) portion online, blending flexibility with the required in-person practice.
Among dozens of campus-based LVN programs in the state, only a few have adopted a hybrid delivery model. State regulations require that every program include on-site skills labs and clinical experiences.1 Two community colleges stand out with structured hybrid options:
Most other Texas LVN programs, including those at Tarrant County College, El Paso Community College, and San Jacinto College, remain entirely campus-based. Always check with the school for the most current delivery format, as programs may expand hybrid offerings over time.
A hybrid LVN program typically lets you study lectures, readings, and assignments on your own schedule, but you must attend scheduled on-campus sessions for skills labs, proctored exams, and clinical rotations. Clinicals are arranged at partner hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics and often require travel, sometimes up to an hour from your home. This model is especially valuable for working adults who need to reduce commute time during the theory phase, or for students in rural areas who would otherwise drive long distances daily. However, you will still need reliable internet, a computer with a webcam, and the flexibility to meet in-person obligations.
Before enrolling, confirm with the program coordinator:
A hybrid LVN pathway is not a shortcut; clinical hours and hands-on skill validations are just as rigorous as in a traditional program, but for the right student, the blend of online convenience and in-person training can make a demanding schedule far more manageable.
Open-enrollment community colleges keep their doors wide, but nursing programs almost always add a second layer of screening. Texas LVN programs illustrate the tension: you can enroll in a school, but you still have to compete for a seat in the vocational nursing cohort. Limited clinical spots, high interest, and a statewide push for strong NCLEX-PN pass rates mean most programs are selective, even at institutions where general admission is guaranteed.
While each program sets its own bar, most Texas LVN programs share a common floor. Here’s what you’ll typically need:
Admission selectivity varies significantly across Texas. Larger metro programs, like those at Collin College, Tarrant County College, and St. Philip’s College, often receive far more qualified applicants than they have seats. Collin College uses a point-based ranking system that awards credit for TEAS scores, grades in prerequisites, and other factors, making the effective cutoff higher than the published minimums. Tarrant County College labels its program “selective admission,” and its 100% NCLEX pass rate likely draws strong competition.
In contrast, some smaller or rural programs may be less crowded. Alvin Community College describes its LVN admission as “more open,” and regional colleges like Southwest Texas Junior College and Northeast Texas Community College set their TEAS composite minimum at 58.7%, at the lower end of the state range. However, even these programs may fill quickly, so a higher score strengthens your application everywhere.
If you’re searching for “easiest LPN programs to get into,” focus on open-enrollment community colleges that do not maintain long waitlists or point-based rankings. But remember: an easier entry doesn’t mean an easier curriculum, and your NCLEX preparation still depends on the program’s rigor.
Planning ahead and treating the application like a job interview can make the difference between waiting a semester and starting right away.
Your ideal LVN program depends on your budget, timeline, and learning style. Cheaper programs reduce upfront costs, but accelerated options get you licensed and earning sooner. Consider how soon you want to start working versus how much debt you are willing to carry; there is no single right answer.
Facing a critical shortage of registered nurses, Texas nursing schools have streamlined the transition from licensed vocational nurse to RN, condensing what was once a fragmented process into clear, credit-saving bridge pathways.
Most aspiring RNs start with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) through an LVN-to-ADN bridge at a Texas community college. These programs build on your existing license and nursing experience, typically taking 12 to 18 months of full-time study. Coastal Bend College, for example, offers a 12-month LVN-to-ADN track requiring 60 credit hours total, while North Central Texas College and Texas State Technical College both run 12-month transitions. Admission is competitive and usually requires an unencumbered Texas LVN license. Other common prerequisites include a minimum TEAS score, Collin College and Baptist Health System School of Health Professions each set 65% as the cutoff, and a minimum GPA, such as Collin’s 2.5 threshold. Some programs, like the one at Baptist Health System, also stipulate that prerequisite science courses must have been completed within the last seven years.
For nurses aiming to bypass the ADN and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) directly, several four-year universities in Texas offer LVN-to-BSN bridges. These programs take longer, typically around two years, but award the BSN degree, which is often required for leadership, public health, or graduate study. While exact curricula vary, the BSN path can enhance long-term career mobility and, in some employers’ eyes, meet a preference for baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
Bridge programs are relatively short: most ADN bridges span three to four semesters, and many community college options keep tuition affordable through public funding. Applicants should plan to meet testing and course requirements before deadlines. For instance, Collin College’s LVN-to-RN bridge has a firm application deadline of April 15, 2026, and requires a TEAS exam score no older than one year. Checking each program’s website for updated deadlines and prerequisite validation periods is essential.
The financial incentive to bridge into the RN role is substantial. While specific salary figures vary by region and employer, registered nurses in Texas earn significantly higher median wages than licensed vocational nurses, often 30% to 50% more, with the gap widening in metropolitan hospitals and specialized units. Given that bridge programs build on existing nursing education, the return on investment, in both career growth and income, makes them a compelling next step for LVNs ready to advance.
Choosing the right LVN program in Texas means weighing time, cost, and format options. These answers address the most common questions aspiring nurses ask before applying.
These additional schools offer accredited LVN programs across Texas, providing options in every region. Use the directory below to explore programs near you that may fit your budget, schedule, and career goals.
