Nursing Schools in Fort Worth, TX

Becoming a registered nurse in Fort Worth comes down to two licensure routes. One is an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), usually earned at a community college. The other is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a university. Either route ends at the same NCLEX-RN exam and the same Texas RN license. Campuses within a realistic commute include Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, Weatherford and Dallas.

The pressure point is cost against time. Tarrant County College lists in-state ADN tuition and fees of $1,863 a year, while UT Arlington lists $11,950 for its campus BSN. First-time NCLEX-RN results, LVN bridges and accelerated second-degree tracks shift that math further.

An ADN graduate can earn a license sooner, then complete the RN to BSN while working at a Tarrant County hospital.

Fort Worth-Area Nursing Programs With the Strongest NCLEX-RN Results

Below is a ranked list of the Fort Worth-area nursing programs with the strongest NCLEX-RN outcomes, ordered mainly by first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN and weighted by how many candidates sat the exam across the Texas Board of Nursing's three most recent reporting years. Accreditation status and completion outcomes separate the programs that finish close together. Each entry is labeled as an ADN or a BSN, so commuters can compare the two paths at a glance.

ADN vs. BSN in Fort Worth: Which Path Fits You?

Both degrees lead to the same NCLEX-RN and the same Texas RN license, so the real choice is about cost, time and how far you want to climb. If budget comes first, an ADN at a community college like Tarrant County College usually costs far less upfront. If your goal is leadership or graduate study, a BSN gets you there sooner, and many large hospital systems prefer or encourage it, though ADN grads can finish an RN-to-BSN program later while working.

Most Affordable Nursing Programs Near Fort Worth

Public colleges hold the low-cost end of the market near Fort Worth: Tarrant County College's ADN lists in-state tuition and fees of $1,863 a year, Texas Woman's University and UT Arlington list $8,640 and $11,950 for their campus BSN programs, and Dallas College and Weatherford College offer online RN to BSN options for nurses who are already licensed. Net price comes from 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data. It is an institution-wide average after grants that also includes books and living costs, so it can sit above tuition and will rise or fall with your family income; treat it as a benchmark, not a quote for you. File the FAFSA as early as you can, and ask each program what it charges for nursing-specific costs such as uniforms, exam prep and clinical supplies, because those rarely appear in published tuition.

LVN-to-RN Bridges and Accelerated BSN Routes Around Fort Worth

Weatherford College's LVN-to-RN transition track takes three consecutive semesters, about one year, and ends with an Associate in Applied Science and eligibility for the RN licensing exam. That is the clearest confirmed bridge near Fort Worth.

Can an LVN Become an RN in Fort Worth?

Yes. Licensed vocational nurses can move into RN roles through community college transition programs, which give credit for LVN training so you skip a full two-year ADN. At Weatherford College, you must first complete an LVN program and pass the LVN-NCLEX. You also need specific general education courses done before you start.

• Prerequisites: BIOL 2401, BIOL 2420, PSYC 2301 and PSYC 2314, each completed with at least a C. Science courses may have a recency limit, so check how old your credits can be.
• Admission: A 2.5 prerequisite GPA, Texas Success Initiative (TSI) status and the HESI A2 exam.
• Application windows: For the Summer start at the Weatherford campus, applications run December 1 to February 28. For the Spring start at the Wise County campus, the window is May 1 to September 30. Apply to the college itself before you apply to the nursing program.

Tarrant County College and Dallas College also serve LVNs in the area. Confirm their current length, prerequisites, any work-experience expectations and deadlines with each nursing office, since terms change by campus and year.

Accelerated BSN Options for Second-Degree Students

If you already hold a degree or have substantial college credit, the University of Texas at Arlington offers an Accelerated Online BSN Prelicensure pathway. It is CCNE-accredited and requires 51 credits, which can be finished in as few as 15 months. Tuition is $425 per credit, or $21,675 total. Applicants need 24 transferable credit hours.

The Fall II 2026 start was September 28, and its application deadline of September 4 has passed. The next deadline is December 11, 2026, for the Spring I 2027 start. Each term sets its own document, registration and tuition deadlines, so check the current academic calendar before you plan.

Arizona College of Nursing in Fort Worth is another route for career changers, though it is not an accelerated program. Its BSN takes three years, and transfer credits for qualifying general education courses may shorten that. There are no prerequisite courses to begin, and admission looks at a 2.75 GPA and the HESI A2. A cohort begins January 4. It does not offer an LVN bridge, so LVNs are better served by the community college tracks above.

I could not confirm an entry-level MSN for non-nurses within about 35 miles of Fort Worth. UTA's MSN options are for nurses who already hold a BSN.

Be Realistic About the Pace

Accelerated programs compress a full curriculum into a short window. Even an online format includes hands-on clinical hours, and the schedule is full-time. Most students find that working during the program is not realistic, so budget for living expenses as well as tuition. LVN bridges are also demanding, but they run on a semester calendar that some students can pair with part-time LVN shifts.

The two directories below list every LVN bridge and accelerated program in the Fort Worth area, so you can compare the rest.

LVN to RN Programs Near Fort Worth

The LVN to RN and LVN to BSN pathways within commuting distance of Fort Worth run from associate degree transitions at the area community colleges to a bachelor's bridge for licensed nurses. Formats range from a hybrid advanced placement track to campus based programs, so weigh the length of each route against your current schedule and license.

Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Fort Worth

If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN or direct-entry MSN lets you move into nursing without repeating general education coursework. The programs below are built for career changers, pairing a condensed timeline with supervised clinical practice. Confirm prerequisite and entrance exam requirements early, because those deadlines usually drive the application calendar.

What Fort Worth Nursing Programs Ask for Before You Apply

Admission rules differ more than many applicants expect, even between schools a few miles apart. Use this checklist to plan your prerequisites, testing and deadlines around the specific program you want.

1. Science prerequisites

   Tarrant County College requires Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 2401 and 2402) and Microbiology (BIOL 2420), each completed with a C or better before you apply. Courses still in progress do not count. Some programs also list chemistry, so check each school's own course list.
2. Entrance exam

   TCC uses the HESI A2 and requires at least 75% in each required section: reading, vocabulary, grammar, anatomy and physiology, and math. UT Arlington and Texas Woman's University use the ATI TEAS instead. UTA requires at least 58.7% in each of four sections. TWU sets a 64 minimum per section and considers a composite of 87 or higher competitive.
3. GPA and selection method

   UT Arlington requires a minimum 2.75 GPA and ranks applicants on points. GPA can earn up to 8.0 points, and each completed additional consideration adds 0.5 points. Meeting the minimum makes you eligible but does not guarantee a seat.
4. Deadlines

   TCC's spring cycle closed April 30, 2026, with decisions on May 22. TCU's traditional BSN takes applications through NursingCAS from September 1 to February 1. UTA's TEAS score deadlines are June 1 for spring entry and January 15 for fall entry.
5. Background check, immunizations and CPR

   Expect a criminal background check and drug screen. You will also need current immunizations and CPR certification before clinical rotations begin.
6. Approval and accreditation

   Before paying any deposit, confirm the program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by ACEN or CCNE.

Texas RN Licensure at a Glance

Where Fort Worth Nursing Graduates Work

Most new Fort Worth-area nurses start at one of the large hospital systems around Tarrant County, and many of those systems run structured residency programs that turn a fresh license into a first job. The main employers include Texas Health Resources, JPS Health Network, Cook Children's, Baylor Scott & White All Saints, and Medical City Fort Worth.

Residency Programs to Know

• Texas Health Resources: Its Graduate Nurse Residency runs at Texas Health Fort Worth and Texas Health Southwest. Training runs roughly 18 to 30 weeks, with a 15-month employment commitment.¹ An ADN is required and a BSN is preferred. You need a Texas or Compact RN license, ideally within 12 months of graduating. A Southwest cohort started July 13, 2026, and a Fort Worth NICU cohort was set for February 2026.²
• Cook Children's: The accredited Pediatric Nurse Residency lasts 12 months and includes rotation through a specialty unit.⁴ It requires a BSN or entry-level MSN, NCLEX before the start date, and a 2.5 minimum GPA. Applications for the February and April 2027 cohorts closed September 9, 2026, so plan ahead for the next cycle.⁴
• Baylor Scott & White: Its system-wide Graduate Nurse Summer 2027 Residency takes applications February 1 to 21, 2027.⁵

JPS Health Network and Medical City Fort Worth are also major nurse employers. Check their career pages for current new-graduate openings, since cohort dates change from year to year.

How Schools Connect to These Employers

Local programs commonly place clinical students in these hospitals. That matters because a unit that has already watched you work knows what it is hiring, and clinical rotations are often where job offers begin. Ask each school which facilities host its clinical groups, then match that list to the employers you want.

What Graduates Earn and Borrow

Program-level figures from the programs ranked here, measured one year after finishing:

• Tarrant County College (Associate Degree Nursing): median earnings of $72,069, with median debt of $11,368.
• Texas Christian University (BSN): median earnings of $77,808, with median debt of $25,000.
• The University of Texas at Arlington (BSN): median earnings of $85,513, with median debt of $17,421.

The gap between the associate and bachelor's figures is real but modest at the one-year mark. The lower debt at the community college narrows it further. Starting with an ADN and a Texas Health residency, then finishing a BSN while employed, is a common way to keep borrowing low while still reaching the bachelor's credential many employers prefer.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Fort Worth, TX

The programs below are RN to BSN completion tracks for working nurses who already hold a license and want a bachelor's degree. Most are fully online, and several offer accelerated terms, workplace-based clinicals, or part-time pacing. Each entry notes the format and any published tuition figure so you can compare what fits your schedule.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Fort Worth, TX

This directory covers BSN to MSN and MSN to DNP routes for registered nurses in the Fort Worth area who are ready for advanced practice. Each entry notes the concentration and delivery format, with graduate tuition where the program publishes it, so you can weigh a family nurse practitioner track against an acute care, mental health, education or leadership path.

Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Fort Worth, TX

10 schools within 35 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.

Fort Worth Nursing School Questions, Answered

These answers cover the questions Fort Worth nursing students ask most often. Figures match the ranking and cost sections above, so check each school's current requirements before you apply.

Related Articles