Compare costs, program lengths, and outcomes for accredited NP programs across Texas
Low-cost, fully online NP programs promise speed and flexibility, while higher-priced programs with intensive clinical placements boast board pass rates that open doors at top employers.
With over 29 accredited NP programs in Texas, the question isn't finding a school: it's knowing which one will actually pay off in a state that employs more nurse practitioners than almost any other.
Texas' NP workforce already numbers in the tens of thousands, and demand continues to climb. Median annual wages in the state reach $129,880, but the programs that get you there vary sharply in tuition, format, and career outcomes. The real work is matching a program's strengths to your own timeline, budget, and practice goals.
Texas offers a wide range of nurse practitioner programs that combine affordability, regional focus, and flexible delivery formats. The schools below stand out for preparing NPs to serve Texas communities, from border health needs to rural primary care, while keeping net price manageable and student support strong.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | $0 – $5,000/yr | Budget-conscious border-region nurses | |
UTRGV’s NP programs are built for the Rio Grande Valley, with a heavy emphasis on serving multicultural and Hispanic populations. The MSN FNP focuses on holistic primary care across the lifespan, while post-master’s certificates in FNP and psychiatric mental health offer accelerated online or campus paths. Financial aid includes the Graduate Select Scholarship, and net price remains among the lowest in the state, making it a top choice for working RNs in South Texas.
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| #2 | Texas A & M International University | Laredo, TX | $4,000/yr (net price) | South Texas RNs prioritizing low cost | |
TAMIU’s online MSN-FNP combines affordability with a strong record: a 100% first-time certification pass rate and a total in-state cost of $17,616. The 48-credit program blends online coursework with two on-campus visits per course, requiring a BSN and one year of inpatient experience. The school also offers a post-master’s PMHNP certificate online, extending pathways for APRNs in the Laredo region.
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| #3 | The University of Texas at El Paso | El Paso, TX | $5,000 – $10,000/yr | Bilingual practitioners in West Texas | |
UTEP’s NP programs are designed for the borderland, with a primary care FNP track that emphasizes multicultural and bilingual care. The hybrid MSN-FNP requires 49 credits and 775 clinical hours, and the school offers a wide array of other NP tracks, including pediatric, psychiatric, adult-gerontology acute care, and neonatal. Multiple start dates and a seven-week course format add flexibility for working nurses across El Paso and beyond.
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| #4 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | |||
UT Health San Antonio offers post-graduate certificates and BSN-to-DNP pathways in several NP specialties, including family, pediatric, and psychiatric mental health. Its strong clinical partnerships in San Antonio and South Texas provide immersive experiences, and the school’s 10-year median earnings for graduates are among the highest in this list. The cohort-based, spring-only admission model ensures a structured, supportive environment.
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| #5 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center | Lubbock, TX | |||
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center emphasizes rural and underserved care across all its NP tracks. The MSN-FNP and PMHNP are available in hybrid or fully online formats, and the school’s post-master’s certificates and BSN-to-DNP pathways offer laddering options. With a 7:1 student-faculty ratio and strong 10-year earnings outcomes, TTUHSC is a high-touch option for West Texas nurses.
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| #6 | University of Houston-Victoria | Victoria, TX | $8,000/yr (net price) | ||
UHV’s MSN-FNP track is designed to address healthcare provider shortages in Southeast Texas, with classes at Victoria, Sugar Land, and Katy locations. The program emphasizes primary care, health promotion, and illness prevention, and students can access graduate stipends. Its low net price and multiple campus sites make it a practical choice for nurses in the Gulf Coast region.
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| #7 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $10,000 – $23,000/yr | ||
University of Houston’s NP programs blend online and on-campus learning for Houston-area nurses. The MSN-FNP track builds from BSN foundations with a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and leadership. For those seeking a terminal degree, the post-master’s DNP with an FNP concentration adds 585 clinical hours and a portfolio project. UH’s 10-year median earnings are solid, reflecting strong career outcomes.
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| #8 | The University of Texas at Tyler | Tyler, TX | ~$13,000/yr (est.) | ||
UT Tyler’s NP programs are noted for high certification exam pass rates and a strong East Texas clinical network. The MSN-FNP is a 47-credit hybrid program, while the MSN-PMHNP is fully online. Post-master’s certificates in FNP, PMHNP, and AGACNP allow MSN-prepared nurses to add specialties. Competitive tuition and rolling admissions add to the appeal.
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| #9 | Texas Woman's University | Denton, TX | $12,000/yr | ||
Texas Woman’s University limits its NP programs to Texas residents, ensuring clinical placements and support are locally focused. The MSN-FNP is offered online and hybrid, with the online track now requiring a Casper assessment for Spring 2026 admissions. TWU also provides MSN tracks in pediatric, adult-gerontology, women’s health, and psychiatric mental health, plus post-master’s certificates. The school’s commitment to in-state clinicals makes it a reliable pipeline for Texas healthcare employers.
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| #10 | East Texas A&M University | Commerce, TX | $12,000/yr (net price) | ||
East Texas A&M’s MSN-FNP is a part-time, hybrid program designed for working RNs in East Texas. The 42-credit curriculum emphasizes holistic care, preventive strategies, and telehealth, with no thesis required. At $3,669 per semester for 9 credits in-state and with a low $50 application fee, it is one of the most budget-friendly paths to FNP certification in the region.
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After a period of declining scores, FNP certification pass rates are now trending upward nationwide, signaling renewed strength in exam preparation. For Texas NP students and programs, board pass rates serve as one of the clearest indicators of how well a curriculum aligns with certification exams. While individual program rates can vary widely, the national first-time pass rate for the AANP FNP-C exam in 2025 was 81%, and 82% for the ANCC FNP-BC exam. A combined national first-time pass rate published for 2024 was 83%. These figures provide a valuable starting point as you evaluate Texas schools.
The national pass rates help you set realistic expectations. A program consistently reporting first-time pass rates at or above the national average suggests strong exam preparation. Keep in mind that many Texas programs publish pass rates from different years or combine AANP and ANCC outcomes, so compare like with like. A small dip in a single year isn't necessarily a red flag, especially for smaller cohorts where even a few test-takers can sway the percentage. What matters is the overall trend and transparency.
Program-specific data isn't always displayed prominently, but several reliable sources exist. Start with the certification bodies themselves: the AANP and ANCC websites periodically release performance reports organized by institution and exam date. These reports are among the most objective sources because they draw directly from testing records.
Next, visit individual Texas NP program websites. Look for sections labeled 'Outcomes', 'Accreditation', or 'Student Achievement'. Many schools publish their own pass rates for recent cohorts, often alongside graduation and employment data. If you don't see them online, a call or email to the program director can yield the numbers.
Another resource is the Texas Board of Nursing. The BON compiles aggregate pass rate data for nursing programs across the state, sometimes included in annual reports or education summaries. While these may not always show exam-specific pass rates, they can give you a broader view of program performance over time.
A pass rate above the national average is promising, but context matters. Examine whether the rate reflects first-time test-takers or all attempts, and whether it covers AANP, ANCC, or both. Small programs may have volatile annual rates; look for multi-year patterns. Also consider the percentage of graduates who actually sit for the exam, because a high pass rate combined with a low exam-taking rate could signal that only the strongest students are attempting it. Whenever possible, use the 83% combined first-time national pass rate as a benchmark. If a Texas program consistently surpasses that figure while reporting transparent, up-to-date data, you're likely looking at a solid path to certification.
The net price shown is the institution-wide average after grants and scholarships, not a guaranteed figure for every student. All five programs are at public universities, which typically charge lower tuition than private schools, helping to keep overall costs down for Texas NP students.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M International University | $6,650 | $15,490 | $3,637 | $15,000 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $8,589 | $15,971 | $4,831 | $12,950 |
| University of Houston-Victoria | $8,315 | $15,535 | $8,109 | $18,973 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | $7,166 | $16,621 | $9,403 | $18,000 |
| Midwestern State University | $8,198 | $9,498 | $11,656 | $21,030 |
Texas NP programs typically require 500 to 720 direct patient care hours, and that clinical floor sets the pace for even the fastest tracks. Shorter timelines depend on a program's willingness to front-load didactic coursework and schedule rotations without gaps, and a handful of schools have built their curriculum around that intensity.
Several ranked programs keep a full-time lockstep structure. Texas Woman's University packs 45 credits and 780 clinical hours into a two-year, full-time online FNP plan for BSN-prepared nurses. UT Arlington's online/hybrid FNP runs 41 to 46 credits with 720 clinical hours and moves at a full-time clip, often completing in five or six semesters when a student can manage a continuous rotation load. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center requires 48 to 51 credits and follows an online-with-onsite model that many students finish in about two years of year-round study. These programs do not always advertise an explicit part-time option for the core FNP track, so the default pace is accelerated.
The Texas Board of Nursing mandates at least 500 supervised direct patient care hours for NP licensure, but many graduate programs exceed this to meet national certification standards. The 720-hour mark at UT Arlington and the 780-hour target at TWU are common benchmarks. Spreading that many hours across four or five semesters means students often spend 16 to 24 hours per week at clinical sites once rotations begin. Even with no breaks, the sheer volume of patient encounters sets a natural speed limit.
Nurses without a BSN face longer timelines. UT Arlington, for example, allows non-nursing bachelor's degree holders with an ADN to enter the MSN-FNP program, but they must first complete bridge coursework that extends the total plan by a semester or more. ADN-to-MSN pathways often run three to four years because of the undergraduate nursing content folded in. Direct-entry programs for career changers with a non-nursing degree are still rare in Texas and typically add at least a year of pre-licensure RN preparation.
A program labeled 'shortest' looks attractive on paper but can backfire for nurses who need to keep a job. Part-time tracks stretching three to four years, available at some schools not in the full-time-only group, let students lighten the clinical load to one or two shifts per week. The extra time often reduces burnout and improves board-exam preparation. The right pace is the one that aligns with your work schedule, family obligations, and learning stamina, not just the one that finishes fastest.
Texas online FNP programs fall into two main categories: fully online programs that deliver most coursework via distance learning, and hybrid programs that blend online classes with required on-campus intensives. Understanding the differences in clinical placement support and on-campus expectations will help you choose the format that fits your schedule and learning style.
| Feature | Fully Online NP Programs | Hybrid NP Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Example Programs | Texas Woman's University, Texas A&M International | UT Tyler, UT El Paso, Texas Tech HSC, East Texas A&M, UH-Victoria, University of Houston |
| Delivery Format | All didactic coursework completed online; clinical hours completed locally. | Online coursework combined with required on-campus intensives or labs. |
| On-Campus Requirements | Varies; some programs (e.g., TAMIU) require two visits per course, while others may have none. | Typically include mandatory on-campus sessions each semester, such as skills intensives or orientations. |
| Clinical Placement Support | Varies: Texas Woman's University offers school-assisted placement; other programs may require self-placement. | Most programs expect students to arrange their own preceptors and clinical sites, generally within Texas. |
| Program Duration | TAMIU: as few as 36 months; TWU: varies by track. | East Texas A&M: 3 years part-time; UTEP: 7 semesters; most can be completed in 2-3 years. |
Program-level earnings data for these NP programs is not yet available. For occupational context, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that nurse practitioners in Texas earn a median annual wage of $129,880, with top earners exceeding $165,530. Demand is strong, with projected job growth of 38% from 2024 to 2034 in the state.
The nurse practitioner workforce is expanding rapidly, reaching 385,000 licensed NPs nationwide in 2023, an 8.5% jump from the previous year. Texas, with its large healthcare sector, mirrors this trend, fueling demand for NP programs.
Most accredited NP programs in Texas ask for a similar foundation. A current, unencumbered registered nurse license in the state is almost always non-negotiable. You will also need a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program, though some schools offer bridge options for RNs with an associate degree. Grade point averages typically matter: many programs list a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, but competitive tracks at top nursing programs in Texas like UT Arlington or Baylor may expect a 3.2 or higher in your last 60 hours of nursing coursework.
The GRE picture has changed in recent years. Several programs, including those at Texas Tech and UT Tyler, now waive the GRE entirely for applicants who meet a certain GPA threshold or hold a master's degree. Others still request scores unless you qualify for an automatic waiver. Check the specific policy on each school's admissions page, as this detail can change from year to year.
Clinical experience requirements are not universal, but they are common. Some programs want at least one year of full-time bedside nursing before you apply. TWU and UT Arlington, for instance, often expect direct patient care experience, while other pathways may consider leadership or community health roles. If the program does not specify a minimum, its admissions committee still looks for a resume that shows depth in nursing practice.
Prerequisite coursework generally includes advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacology at the graduate level. You may also need undergraduate statistics with a grade of C or better. Many schools provide a pre-check worksheet so you can verify which courses you have already completed. If a prerequisite is missing, some programs allow you to take it concurrently during the first semester of the NP track.
For RNs holding an associate degree, Texas offers several ADN-to-MSN pathways that streamline the journey to an NP role. These bridge programs run longer than a traditional BSN-to-MSN, but they avoid the intermediate step of earning a separate BSN. UT Tyler and Texas Tech are two examples that publish detailed bridge curricula. Always confirm the number of required clinical hours with the program director, because these plans often differ from the standard MSN track.
Direct-entry programs for non-nurses with a bachelor's in another field are rarer. A few private Texas universities have launched accelerated MSN tracks that lead to NP eligibility in about two to three years. These are intensive and require a full-time commitment. The Texas Board of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners maintain consistent licensure and certification standards that all programs must meet, so a direct-entry graduate must still pass the same national certification exam.
Information on a university's website can lag behind faculty decisions. The best practice is to attend a virtual information session or call the nursing admissions office directly. Admissions counselors can tell you whether a GRE waiver is available this cycle, how many clinical placements they have secured for incoming students, and whether any prerequisite substitutions are allowed. If a program's published data is thin, a brief email often yields a clear answer.
Beyond the school, verify the program's accreditation status and job-placement trends through the Texas Workforce Commission or the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While such sources do not list admission prerequisites, they can confirm whether a program's graduates find employment promptly and earn competitive wages. This broader check helps you weigh the return on investment before finalizing your application list.
After graduating from an accredited NP program in Texas, you must complete several state-specific steps before you can practice. The Texas Board of Nursing oversees APRN licensure, and prescriptive authority requires a separate agreement with a supervising physician. Follow this sequence to navigate the process efficiently.
As the demand for advanced practice nurses grows, the financial accessibility of graduate education has become a central concern for aspiring NPs in Texas. This ranking reflects that reality by weighing affordability alongside basic academic outcomes, so you can quickly spot programs that deliver strong value without burying you in debt.
We pull primarily from three sources: the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, and official information posted by schools themselves. IPEDS provides institution-level figures on net price, graduation rates, and enrollment patterns. The Scorecard adds earnings and debt metrics for students who received federal aid, giving a window into financial outcomes after leaving school. Program format details (online, hybrid, on-campus) are collected from each school’s public reporting.
Our methodology prioritizes metrics that directly affect your wallet and your likelihood of finishing the degree.
To keep the focus on financial fit and completion, we deliberately leave out several factors that you may want to research on your own.
By being transparent about both the strengths and limits of our approach, we hope you can use this ranking as a starting point, not a final verdict.
Still have questions about nursing practitioner education in Texas? Browse the answers below for quick insights on top programs, costs, timelines, and admission essentials. Many of these topics are explored in greater depth elsewhere in this article.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Texas offers many other high-quality NP programs across the state. Use this directory to browse schools by region and discover options that fit your schedule and career goals.
