Compare costs, outcomes, and program formats for every Dallas-area BSN — so you can choose with confidence.
How do Dallas nursing schools compare on cost, NCLEX pass rates, and graduate earnings? Dallas is home to one of the nation’s largest healthcare hubs, where the Medical District’s major hospitals drive intense demand for new RNs. Over 60,000 registered nurses work in the metro, and Texas projects a 13% job increase by 2030. Students choose among traditional BSNs, accelerated second-degree tracks, and ADN-to-BSN pathways at both public and private schools. NCLEX first-time pass rates in the area span from the high 70s to above 95%, and early-career pay often hinges on clinical placement quality and employer connections.
This ranking highlights top nursing programs available to Dallas–Fort Worth students, balancing affordability, graduation success, and career earnings. Texas Christian University, located in Fort Worth, is the only local BSN option with deep DFW clinical ties, but several other highly regarded Texas schools offer strong value for aspiring RNs. Each entry includes program highlights to help match your priorities.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, TX | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | DFW locals wanting a private university experience | |
Texas Christian University's Harris College of Nursing in Fort Worth is the only school on this list embedded in the DFW metro, with extensive clinical partnerships across local hospitals and health systems. The BSN program offers both traditional 29-month and accelerated 19-month tracks, blending rigorous academics with hands-on simulation and ethical leadership training. Graduates are heavily recruited by North Texas employers, making TCU a premier choice for students seeking a private university experience with strong regional career connections.
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| #2 | The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | $20,000/yr | Ambitious students seeking a research-intensive BSN | |
The University of Texas at Austin's School of Nursing delivers a rigorous BSN program that combines theoretical depth with diverse clinical experiences across Central Texas. With a graduation rate near 89% and median earnings exceeding $75,000 a decade after enrollment, the program offers strong outcomes. Admission is competitive, with specific prerequisites for transfer students, and the curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and leadership.
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| #3 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | $13,000 – $40,000/yr | Students prioritizing high earnings and public value | |
Texas A&M University-College Station offers a two-year, five-semester traditional BSN that requires 61 credit hours of nursing coursework after completing prerequisites. Admission demands a 3.3 GPA and strong HESI A2 scores, reflecting the program's competitive nature. Graduates benefit from high earnings potential, with a median of over $72,000 ten years out, and the curriculum integrates clinical experiences throughout, preparing students for varied healthcare roles.
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| #4 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, TX | $2,000 – $5,000/yr | ||
Brazosport College in Lake Jackson provides an affordable associate degree nursing pathway with both a standard ADN and an LVN-to-ADN advanced placement option. The program boasts a low net price of $4,732 and a median graduate debt of just $5,641, delivering exceptional value. With a strong focus on clinical skills and TEAS or HESI readiness assessments, graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN and ready to enter the workforce.
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| #5 | Rio Grande Valley College | Pharr, TX | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Rio Grande Valley College in Pharr is a private institution offering a 45-week Nursing AAS program that emphasizes patient-centered care and clinical reasoning. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN, and the curriculum covers safety, legal standards, and leadership in healthcare teams. While focused on South Texas, it provides a fast route to RN licensure for students willing to relocate for clinical training.
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| #6 | University of Houston | Houston, TX | $10,000 – $23,000/yr | ||
The University of Houston's College of Nursing offers both a traditional BSN track at the Katy instructional site and an accelerated 12-month Second Degree BSN for career changers in Sugar Land. The programs emphasize critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and evidence-based practice, with strong ties to the Houston medical community. Admission is competitive, and graduates are prepared for immediate RN licensure and graduate education.
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| #7 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Edinburg, TX | $0 – $5,000/yr | ||
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley provides multiple BSN pathways, including a generic track, a second-degree option, and a fully online RN-to-BSN program. With a low net price of $4,831, it offers exceptional affordability, especially for Pell-eligible students. The curriculum emphasizes holistic care, leadership, and cultural competence, preparing graduates for Texas licensure and diverse practice settings.
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| #8 | Northeast Texas Community College | Mount Pleasant, TX | ~$7,000/yr (est.) | ||
Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant offers a 60-credit hour ADN program that blends rigorous coursework with hands-on clinical practice. With a net price of $6,706 and median debt under $11,000, it provides an affordable entry into registered nursing. Graduates pass the NCLEX-RN and enter a variety of healthcare settings, benefiting from the program's focus on patient safety and clinical judgment.
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| #9 | Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | $29,000/yr | ||
Galen College of Nursing's San Antonio campus provides both ADN and BSN programs with multiple start dates per year, catering to aspiring nurses who value speed and flexibility. The ADN takes two years, while the three-year BSN includes hands-on clinical labs. Financial aid is available, though the net price is higher than some public options. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and report median earnings above $61,000.
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| #10 | University of St Thomas | Houston, TX | $19,000/yr | ||
The University of St. Thomas in Houston offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that blends online and on-campus learning in a hybrid format. The curriculum highlights patient-centered, holistic care with a distinctive emphasis on healing approaches. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and standardized test scores, and graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level practice.
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The table below compares annual in-state and out-of-state tuition, average net price after grants and scholarships, and median debt for graduates of BSN programs in the Dallas area. Net price figures are institution-wide averages and do not guarantee individual costs. Among these schools, Brazosport College offers the lowest in-state tuition ($3,286), while Dallas College has the lowest net price ($3,214) and relatively low median debt. Several schools show a wide gap between sticker price and net price after aid, such as Texas A&M International University, where in-state tuition is $7,894 but net price drops to $3,637.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price After Aid | Median Program Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas College | $4,662 | $6,900 | $3,214 | $9,500 |
| Texas A & M International University | $7,894 | $19,454 | $3,637 | $15,000 |
| Tarrant County College District | $3,537 | $8,370 | $4,337 | $9,104 |
| Brazosport College | $3,286 | $4,711 | $4,732 | $5,641 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | $9,799 | $19,645 | $4,831 | $12,950 |
| McLennan Community College | $4,200 | $5,910 | $5,051 | $10,500 |
| Northeast Texas Community College | $4,468 | $5,620 | $6,706 | $10,946 |
| Lee College | $4,665 | $5,045 | $6,879 | $7,500 |
| The University of Texas at El Paso | $9,544 | $25,502 | $9,403 | $18,000 |
| Texas Woman's University | $8,640 | $18,480 | $11,963 | $19,218 |
The Texas Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every approved pre-licensure program in the state. Data is reported annually, with the most recent release covering the 2024 exam period.1 You can search the BON website by school name to pull up individual program results. Many BSN programs serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area also post their NCLEX rates directly on their nursing school webpages, often alongside outcome data like graduation rates and job placement.
Context helps separate standout programs from average ones. In 2024, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for all Texas RN programs (ADN and BSN combined) was 92.69%, while the national average for all RN programs was 91.16%.1 These figures serve as useful baseline benchmarks. A Dallas BSN program that consistently outperforms both the state and national averages is demonstrating a strong track record of preparing students for licensure.
First-time NCLEX success is one of the most transparent quality indicators for prospective nursing students. Programs with pass rates consistently above 80% are generally considered solid, though many high-performing BSN programs in the Dallas region, which often rank among the top nursing programs in Texas, post rates well into the 90s. A program whose first-time rate routinely dips below 80% may indicate curriculum gaps, insufficient clinical preparation, or student support challenges. When evaluating a school, look for multi-year trends rather than a single data point, a single down year can happen, but persistent low scores are a red flag. Additionally, accreditation bodies and state boards monitor these outcomes, and a program with chronically low pass rates can face probation or loss of approval.
While early-career earnings for specific programs are not yet available, the College Scorecard reports institution-wide median earnings a decade after entry. Below, those figures are compared to the 2024 median annual wage of registered nurses in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area ($97,720), offering a long-term earnings perspective.
Nursing school admissions in Dallas are increasingly data-driven, with programs relying on a points-based review of grades, test scores, and prerequisite performance rather than institutional-wide acceptance rates. University-wide admission statistics from federal datasets are not a reliable indicator of nursing selectivity, as BSN tracks routinely filter for a higher standard. The following steps outline what most Dallas-area programs expect and how to build a competitive application.
Before applying, complete a set of foundational courses that nearly all Dallas BSN programs require:
Specific lists vary; for example, Texas Woman’s University’s traditional BSN requires these exact courses with a minimum grade of C in each. Check each school’s advising sheet early to avoid surprises.
Nursing programs set separate GPA thresholds for cumulative college work and for the prerequisite group. Among Dallas schools, a minimum 3.0 is typical, but the competitive pool often sits above 3.5. At TWU, the stated minimum is 3.0 in both cumulative and prerequisite GPAs, yet the admitted student average is closer to 3.7. Standardized entrance exams, most commonly the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), also play a major role. TWU’s program requires at least 64 points in each TEAS section and an 87-point composite to be competitive. HESI is another exam used by some schools; confirm which test your target program prefers.
Because clinical placement slots are capacity-limited, cohorts fill quickly. Submit your NursingCAS (or program-specific) application well before the deadline, TWU’s fall deadline is February 1, and its spring deadline is August 15. Have transcripts, TEAS scores, and any required supplemental materials ready. Since admission is not guaranteed even with strong metrics, cast a wide net: apply to several Dallas-area BSN programs, including options like UT Arlington, Texas A&M–Commerce, or Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing. A backup plan with an ADN program at a community college can also keep you on track while waiting for a BSN seat.
Prospective nursing students in Dallas often have similar questions about program quality, costs, and timelines. Below, we answer five of the most common inquiries using data from this guide and official sources. Whether you are exploring a first degree or an RN-to-BSN, these answers will help you navigate your options.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, the Dallas–Fort Worth region offers a diverse array of nursing schools. This directory lists additional BSN and ADN options within a reasonable distance of Dallas, organized by region. Explore these programs to find the right fit for your nursing career goals.
