Compare costs, NCLEX pass rates, and schedules for vocational nursing schools near Grand Prairie.
Which LVN programs near Grand Prairie combine strong NCLEX-PN results with affordable tuition? In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, licensed vocational nurses held over 28,000 jobs in 2025 and earned a median annual wage of $59,730.
Grand Prairie sits between Dallas and Fort Worth, giving residents access to public community college certificates and private accelerated programs. Top-rated programs within commuting distance boast first-attempt pass rates well above the state average, but tuition varies sharply.
With LVN job growth outpacing the national average, the right training choice can speed your move from classroom to clinic.
The vocational nursing programs near Grand Prairie range from accelerated private offerings to budget-friendly public college certificates. Each school below prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and Texas LVN licensure, but they differ in cost, class size, and clinical opportunities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Hallmark University | San Antonio, TX | $13,000/yr (net price) | Career changers wanting accelerated entry | |
Hallmark University in San Antonio offers a 12-month vocational nursing certificate with small class sizes and simulation labs. Approved by the Texas BON, clinical rotations occur at top San Antonio hospitals. The school's overall graduation rate is 66.3%, and all graduates earn a median $40,183 over 10 years. Limited enrollment ensures focused training.
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| #2 | Grayson College | Denison, TX | $6,000/yr | Budget-conscious students seeking public college value | |
Grayson College's vocational nursing program, located at the South Campus in Van Alstyne, emphasizes critical thinking and compassionate care. With a net price of $5,880 and median debt of $12,250, it's a budget-friendly public option. The college's overall graduation rate is 39.9%, and all graduates earn a median $40,873 over 10 years.
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| #3 | Laredo College | Laredo, TX | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Students prioritizing high NCLEX pass rates | |
Laredo College's 12-month vocational nursing certificate boasts a 97.4% NCLEX pass rate and intensive clinical training across four nursing areas. Net price is $5,798, and the institution's overall graduation rate is 30.5%. Graduates from all programs earn a median $33,934 over 10 years.
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| #4 | Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | $29,000/yr | ||
Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio provides a practical nursing program with full-time (12 months) or part-time (21 months) tracks and four start dates. Net price is $29,104, and the school's overall graduation rate is 80.9%. Across all programs, graduates earn a median $61,480 over 10 years.
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| #5 | Northeast Texas Community College | Mount Pleasant, TX | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northeast Texas Community College's three-semester, 48-credit vocational nursing certificate covers medical-surgical and mental health nursing. Net price is $6,706, and the school's overall graduation rate is 55.9%. All graduates earn a median $37,870 over 10 years. TEAS score of 58.7% required.
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| #6 | Victoria College | Victoria, TX | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Victoria College offers a one-year vocational nursing certificate at multiple locations for a net price of just $3,043. The school's overall graduation rate is 29.3%, and all graduates earn a median $42,382 over 10 years. Admission requires ATI TEAS with 60% score and a background check.
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| #7 | College of the Mainland | Texas City, TX | ~$1,000/yr (est.) | ||
College of the Mainland compresses training into 12 months with small classes and high NCLEX pass rates. Net price is $1,342, and median debt runs $5,960. The school's overall graduation rate is 31.2%, and all graduates earn a median $39,639 over 10 years. HESI A2 required.
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We evaluated every active vocational nursing program within a 75-mile radius of Grand Prairie, a search area that captures schools throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, Arlington, and surrounding suburbs. To surface programs that offer both affordability and strong outcomes, the ranking model assigns weight to four factors:
NCLEX-PN pass rates, as published by the Texas Board of Nursing, are reviewed for context but are not factored into the scoring model. The rates can fluctuate from year to year and are influenced by cohort size, making them less stable as a standalone ranking input.
The sticker price of a vocational nursing program doesn't always reveal the final cost after financial aid. Below, we compare in-state tuition against the average net price for six LVN programs within reach of Grand Prairie, illustrating just how much grants and scholarships can lower your out-of-pocket expense.
NCLEX-PN pass rates are the single most important quality indicator for any vocational nursing program. A high first-attempt pass rate shows that a school prepares students thoroughly for licensure and real-world practice.
The NCLEX-PN is the national exam every LVN must pass to become licensed. Programs that consistently produce high pass rates demonstrate strong curriculum alignment with test content and effective clinical training. Employers and state boards scrutinize these numbers, and they are often tied to a program's ongoing approval status.
According to the Texas Board of Nursing's 2025 annual report, 4,243 candidates took the NCLEX-PN, with 3,899 passing, yielding a statewide average pass rate of 91.89%. This outperforms the 2025 national pass rate of 86.6% for U.S.-educated candidates and the overall pass rate of 77.3% when including internationally educated nurses. These figures underscore Texas's strong vocational nursing pipeline.
Local Grand Prairie-area programs often mirror or exceed this statewide benchmark. For example, many Dallas / Fort Worth LVN schools that serve Grand Prairie students report pass rates that cluster near 90% or higher. However, rates can fluctuate year to year, so direct comparison of each school's performance is essential.
The Texas Board of Nursing releases an annual report listing NCLEX-PN pass rates for every approved vocational nursing program in the state. Because these numbers are updated each spring, always check the official BON website for the most recent graduating cohort. Consider a passing score of 100% or extremely high rates a strong signal, but also look for consistent performance over several years.
While licensure is the first hurdle, long-term success also depends on graduate earnings. The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard compiles median earnings data one and two years after completion for many programs. At the time of writing, program-level earnings data for the Grand Prairie area's LVN programs was limited. Prospective students should cross-reference the Scorecard for any newly released figures to build a full picture of post-graduation financial outcomes alongside pass rates.
Admissions requirements for LVN programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have become more standardized in recent years, but individual schools still set their own policies.
Each school publishes its own LPN prerequisites, but most expect a high school diploma or GED, completion of foundational courses like anatomy and physiology, and often a current Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Many programs require applicants to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), with minimum scores typically falling in the proficient range. Check the official website of each institution, such as Concorde Career College, Dallas College, or Tarrant County College, for the latest thresholds, as these can change between admission cycles.
Program lengths vary. Full-time LVN certificate programs generally take 12 to 18 months to complete. Part-time options may extend beyond two years. Schedules differ: some schools run daytime cohorts, while others offer evening or weekend classes to accommodate working students. Start dates are not uniform. Some colleges admit students once per year; others have multiple entry points. Contact the admissions office directly to confirm upcoming start dates and enrollment cycles.
For a broader perspective on training standards, the Bureau of Labor Statistics summarizes typical LVN education paths. Professional associations like the National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service (NAPNES) offer resources for prospective students. Most importantly, consult the Texas Board of Nursing for a list of approved programs and state-specific licensure requirements. This ensures any program you consider meets all regulatory standards for practical nursing in Texas.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $59,730 in May 2023 (about $28.72 per hour)1. This figure is slightly below the Texas statewide median of $60,020 (about $28.86 per hour)2 and the national median for 2024, which was $62,340 annually (about $29.97 per hour)3. While the DFW median is robust, entry-level LVNs typically start at lower percentile wages and can expect their earnings to increase with experience and additional certifications.
Nationally, employment of LPNs and LVNs is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, a pace on par with the average for all occupations. That translates into roughly 54,400 annual openings3, many arising from workers retiring or leaving the field. In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, demand remains strong due to an aging population and continued expansion of hospitals and outpatient clinics. Major healthcare systems such as Texas Health Resources, Methodist Health System, and Medical City Healthcare continually recruit LVNs, keeping local job prospects favorable for new graduates of Grand Prairie programs.
When looking at program-level data reported to the U.S. Department of Education, graduates of LVN certificate programs near Grand Prairie often see first-year earnings that fall below the metro median. This is typical, as new nurses build clinical skills and accumulate shift differentials and overtime. Many local programs report that within two to three years, alumni earnings move closer to the DFW median, especially for those who pursue additional credentials or specialized roles. Early career salary figures should be weighed against program cost and NCLEX-PN pass rates when comparing LPN programs.
An LVN-to-RN bridge program typically requires 12 to 18 months of additional study, and Dallas College and Galen College of Nursing both offer structured pathways near Grand Prairie. These career ladder tracks let licensed vocational nurses earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and sit for the NCLEX-RN, qualifying them for registered nursing positions that carry broader clinical responsibilities and higher pay.
Dallas College’s LVN-RN Advanced Placement option leads to an A.A.S. in Nursing and spans 18 months once general education requirements are met. Students enter with a current Texas LVN license and complete 60 credit hours, including 8 credits of articulated coursework that recognizes their prior nursing education. Classes are available at Brookhaven, El Centro, Mountain View, and North Lake campuses, all within a 30-minute drive of Grand Prairie.
Galen College of Nursing in Dallas operates an LPN/LVN to ADN Bridge that also takes about 18 months and blends on-campus learning with online coursework. Cohorts start four times each year, making it easier to plan around work schedules. An active PN/VN license and a diploma are required to apply.
Most LVN programs in Grand Prairie award certificates or credits that align with the Texas Core Curriculum, and many bridge programs accept these credits. Still, because articulation agreements vary by institution, it pays to meet with a nursing advisor before enrolling. The Texas Board of Nursing lists all approved professional nursing programs in the state, and checking board pass rates alongside program length and cost can help you weigh which pathway fits best.
Prospective nursing students in Grand Prairie often have questions about program length, costs, admission criteria, and career paths. This FAQ addresses the most common inquiries, drawing on data from top LVN programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
