Compare costs, NCLEX outcomes, and flexible schedules for Irving-area nursing programs.
Over 60,000 registered nurses work in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, and Irving sits at the heart of this job market with major employers like Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Irving and Medical City Las Colinas.
While no nursing school operates within Irving proper, a network of accredited programs within commuting distance offers BSN, ADN, and RN-to-BSN options.
Students compare net price, NCLEX pass rates, and clinical placement quality: data points directly linked to licensure success and early earnings. Given that area hospitals increasingly prefer BSN graduates, selecting a program with strong clinical rotations and a history of NCLEX success is a pragmatic decision.
For aspiring nurses in Irving, Texas, several high-quality programs are available within easy commuting distance. The following rankings consider net price, graduation outcomes, and program flexibility to help you find the best fit. Note that graduation rates below reflect the overall institution, not each nursing program specifically.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
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| #1 | The University of Texas at Arlington | Arlington, TX | $11,000/yr | Commuters needing flexible BSN pathways | |
UT Arlington’s BSN program is a strong choice for Irving residents, thanks to its close proximity and dual campus/online delivery options. The curriculum combines rigorous coursework and hands-on simulation, with support like peer mentoring and exam prep. A competitive admission process and the university’s reputation for producing competent nurses make it a top regional pick.
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| #2 | Texas Christian University | Fort Worth, TX | $35,000 – $40,000/yr | Traditional students seeking a rigorous campus experience | |
Texas Christian University offers a traditional BSN experience on its Fort Worth campus, emphasizing clinical judgment and critical thinking. With small cohorts and state-of-the-art simulation labs, the program is ideal for students who thrive in a structured, in-person setting. The 29-month track and strong faculty mentoring prepare graduates for diverse health care roles.
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| #3 | Dallas College | Dallas, TX | RNs needing affordable online degree completion | ||
Dallas College’s fully online RN to BSN program is among the most affordable in the region, with tuition of just $2,970 total including books and materials. Designed for working RNs, it offers fast-track (12-month) or part-time (24-month) options and ACEN accreditation. A concurrent MSN pathway and HRSA scholarships add further value for career-minded nurses.
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| #4 | Texas Woman's University | Denton, TX | $9,000/yr | ||
Texas Woman’s University’s BSN program combines online prerequisites with campus-based upper-division nursing courses at campuses in Dallas, Denton, and Houston. Strong hospital partnerships and summer externships ensure graduates are in high demand across Texas. A competitive 3.0 GPA requirement and TEAS exam make it a selective yet respected pathway.
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| #5 | Tarrant County College District | Fort Worth, TX | |||
Tarrant County College’s Associate Degree Nursing program offers a direct, low-cost route to RN licensure with tuition of just $4,440. The ACEN-accredited curriculum includes clinical experiences and a clear transfer pathway to BSN programs. Selective admission ensures a focused cohort, and the program’s high job placement rate speaks to its effectiveness.
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| #6 | Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas | Dallas, TX | |||
Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas delivers a 3-year BSN with no prerequisite courses and six start dates per year, ideal for students seeking a streamlined path. Hybrid classes combine online coursework and on-campus labs, and clinical rotations across Texas build real-world skills. CCNE accreditation and small class sizes enhance the learning experience.
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| #7 | University of North Texas Health Science Center | Fort Worth, TX | $8,000 – $23,000/yr | ||
UNT Health Science Center’s BSN program emphasizes leadership and interdisciplinary training at its Fort Worth campus. With over 810 clinical hours and a low student-to-faculty ratio of 1:25, students receive personalized mentorship. The unique 2+2 pathway with UNT Dallas and optional electives like veterans’ health make it a distinctive option.
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| #8 | Galen Health Institutes-Dallas | Richardson, TX | |||
Galen College of Nursing in Richardson offers a 3-year BSN with a free application and multiple start dates per year. On-campus learning labs and personalized academic support cater to students new to nursing. Transfer credits are accepted, and graduates are prepared for NCLEX-RN and entry-level RN roles.
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Is a BSN mandatory for nursing jobs in Irving, or do hospitals hire ADN-prepared nurses? The short answer: you can launch your career with either degree, but your long-term prospects differ significantly. Irving’s major healthcare employers, including Baylor Scott & White, Medical City, and Texas Health Resources, widely accept Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) graduates for entry-level staff RN roles. Yet they consistently express a preference for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) holders, especially for advancement, leadership, and specialty positions.
These figures are based on 2024 data for the Dallas-Fort Worth region, where most Irving residents would attend. Community colleges and state universities in the area offer both options, often at different price points.
While ADN nurses can secure jobs at local hospitals, a growing number of DFW facilities are adopting BSN-preferred or even BSN-required policies for new hires. Many set a timeline for ADN nurses to enroll in an RN-to-BSN program after hire. This aligns with national trends toward the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation of an 80% BSN-prepared workforce. In Irving, starting with an ADN followed by an employer-supported RN-to-BSN bridge is a common, cost-effective strategy.
Your choice hinges on timeline, finances, and career goals. If you need to start working quickly and minimize debt, the ADN offers a fast lane. If you aim for magnet hospitals, management, or graduate study, the BSN provides a stronger foundation. Both paths lead to RN licensure; the right one depends on where you see yourself in five years.
The net price below represents the average amount in-state students pay after grants and scholarships, though individual costs vary. Median graduate debt shows typical borrowing for nursing majors at each institution, highlighting the gap between sticker price and long-term financial impact.
Accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and clinical experiences are three concrete measures of a nursing program’s quality and its ability to prepare you for a license. Accreditation confirms that the curriculum meets national standards, directly affecting your eligibility for the NCLEX-RN and future graduate studies. Pass rates show how well a school’s graduates perform on the licensing exam, while clinical placements connect classroom theory to bedside care in real healthcare settings.
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) requires graduates to complete a program approved by a recognized accreditor, most commonly the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both agencies set rigorous standards, but CCNE typically accredits bachelor’s and graduate programs, while ACEN accredits all levels including associate degree and diploma programs. Attending a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited program ensures your degree is accepted for licensure in Texas and makes you eligible for federal financial aid. It also smooths the path if you later apply to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.
Each year the Texas BON publishes NCLEX-RN pass rates for every program in the state.2 These numbers offer a direct look at how well a school’s curriculum translates into exam readiness. For example, Chamberlain College of Nursing’s Irving campus reported a pass rate of 82.35% for first-time test-takers in 2024.1 While that figure is a useful benchmark, it’s only one data point. When comparing programs, look at multi-year trends, consistent pass rates above 85-90% often signal strong preparation. Many BSN programs in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex post rates in that range, though exact figures vary by year and cohort.
Hands-on training near Irving typically takes place at major regional healthcare systems. Schools with strong clinical partnerships arrange rotations at Medical City Irving, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Irving, and Texas Health Resources facilities. These sites expose students to medical-surgical units, critical care, obstetrics, and community health settings. Proximity to such high-volume hospitals means you’re more likely to encounter diverse patient populations and modern technology, building confidence before you ever take the NCLEX.
To sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for a Texas nursing license, the BON verifies that your program is accredited and that you completed required clinical hours. Programs with lower pass rates or probationary accreditation status can delay your ability to test. Always confirm a school’s accreditation directly through the CCNE or ACEN website and review its most recent NCLEX data before committing. When you choose an accredited program with solid clinical sites and a consistent pass rate, you set yourself up for a smooth transition from student to licensed registered nurse.
The nursing job market in Irving offers promising opportunities, but new graduates should understand how entry-level pay compares to the broader median figures often cited.
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area employs over 60,000 registered nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean annual wage for RNs in the region is $77,990, with typical earnings ranging from $60,820 at the 10th percentile to $100,410 at the 90th percentile. This local average sits below the national median of $93,600 (2024), a gap largely explained by Texas's lower cost of living. Across the state, RN wages mirror this pattern, with urban centers like Irving offering competitive but not premium salaries relative to coastal markets.
Major healthcare employers in the Irving area include Medical City Irving, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Irving, and Texas Health Resources. These systems, along with numerous clinics and long-term care facilities, are expanding to meet demand fueled by rapid population growth and an aging patient base. Nationwide, the BLS projects 5% job growth for registered nurses between 2024 and 2034, a rate that keeps pace with the average for all occupations and translates into roughly thousands of annual openings in the metro area.
Program-level earnings data for recent nursing school graduates in Irving is not yet available from federal sources, but salary exhibits offer a helpful reference. Nationally, the bottom 10th percentile of RNs earned $53,410 in 2020, while the 25th percentile reached $61,630. In the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, the lower end of the salary band starts at $60,820, suggesting that new BSN-prepared nurses typically launch careers in the low-to-mid $60,000s. With two to three years of experience, earnings climb closer to the regional mean, and specialized certifications or advanced degrees can push compensation above $90,000. Understanding this trajectory helps new grads budget realistically and negotiate confidently.
Prospective nursing students in Irving have many questions about program quality, costs, and outcomes. Below are answers to some of the most common queries to help you choose the right path.
