Should you start with a two-year ADN at a community college or a four-year BSN at a university? In Houston, both end at the same NCLEX-RN and Texas RN license, so the real differences are cost, time and commute.
Students commute from Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Baytown and Galveston, and clinicals often pull them into the Texas Medical Center. For students comparing nursing schools in Texas, Houston's lowest average net price is $5,737 a year, at Houston City College. University BSNs usually cost more.
Sorting nursing programs in Houston by NCLEX-RN results narrows the field fast. Still, many large hospital employers favor BSN-prepared nurses, so ADN graduates often plan an RN-to-BSN early.
Houston Nursing Schools With the Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Below is a ranked list of Houston-area nursing programs, ordered by the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates each school reported to the Texas Board of Nursing over the most recent three reporting years, with larger testing cohorts counting for more than small ones. Accreditation, completion, and retention act only as tie-breakers. Texas is a strong NCLEX state right now: 92.69% of first-time candidates passed in 2024 (14,214 of 15,335), against 91.16% nationally, so a Houston program that clears 95% is beating an already high bar.
How we ranked these
- Overall institutional graduation rates
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Retention and completion measures
- Cohort size behind each pass rate
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Original research on individual programs
- In-house program catalog data
University of Houston
#1Houston, TX · $10,000 – $23,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Career changers targeting an accelerated BSN
The University of Houston runs a traditional four-year BSN for freshmen and a 12-month second-degree BSN for career changers, both under one college of nursing, with upper-division coursework delivered face to face at the Katy Campus. First-time NCLEX-RN candidates from UH passed at 98.4% across the board's three most recent reporting years on 232 test takers, the strongest combination of rate and volume in this group. The school's overall graduation rate is 64.6%, and net price after aid comes to roughly $14,300. For a Houston commuter, the Katy and Sugar Land teaching sites put the clinical years on the west and southwest side rather than in the Medical Center, which shortens the drive from the Energy Corridor and Fort Bend.
- Four-year campus-based track for students entering as freshmen
- Junior and senior year courses delivered face to face at the UH Katy Campus
- Integrates biological, social, and health sciences with nursing theory
- Emphasizes ethics, advocacy, and applied research in clinical care
- Prepares graduates for licensure and graduate study in nursing
- 12-month program for career changers who already hold a bachelor's degree
- One start date per year, in spring
- Face-to-face instruction at the Sugar Land campus
- Prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN
Houston Christian University
#2Houston, TX · $21,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-minded students wanting small clinical cohorts
Houston Christian University is a private, faith-based campus in southwest Houston whose BSN threads spiritual formation through a standard nursing science curriculum. Students log clinical hours at Texas Medical Center hospitals including Memorial Hermann and Texas Children's, train in a dedicated simulation lab, and work in small classes with faculty mentors. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates sit at 97.8% on 136 candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years, the school's overall graduation rate is 49.1%, and net price after aid runs near $20,600. The campus sits a short drive from the Medical Center, which keeps clinical days manageable for a student living anywhere inside the Loop.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- 121 total credit hours
- Clinical rotations at Texas Medical Center hospitals
- Simulation training in the Clinical Learning Center
- Small classes with faculty mentorship
- Faith-integrated curriculum with spiritual formation
- Work-study options paired with scholarship support
Lee College
#3Baytown, TX · $2,500 – $5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Cost-conscious commuters on the east side
Lee College in Baytown offers an ACEN-accredited ADN with two doors in: a traditional generic track and an LVN-to-RN transition track that waives first-semester nursing courses for licensed vocational nurses. The program pairs classroom and simulation work with supervised clinicals at regional employer partners and adds ACLS and PALS certification along the way. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates reach 96.4% on 93 candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years, and the school's overall graduation rate is 52.8%. Net price after aid is roughly $6,900, the lowest among the ranked programs here, which makes it the practical pick for readers commuting along the I-10 East corridor.
- ACEN accredited ADN with a traditional generic track
- Prerequisite coursework required before the nursing sequence
- Supervised clinical rotations with regional healthcare employers
- Prepares students for NCLEX-RN plus ACLS and PALS certification
- Covers anatomy, microbiology, psychology, and lifespan care
- Designed for licensed vocational nurses moving into the RN role
- Waiver granted for first-semester nursing courses
- Two concentration options within the transition track
- Same clinical partnerships and NCLEX-RN preparation as the generic track
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
#4Houston, TX · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
UTHealth Houston's Cizik School of Nursing runs the Pacesetter Accelerated BSN, a 15-month, 60-credit full-time program taught in a hybrid format with clinicals at the Texas Medical Center and more than 200 affiliated sites across Greater Houston. It produces a large testing cohort: 779 first-time NCLEX-RN candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years, at a 95.2% pass rate. Texas residents with household income under $100,000 can qualify to have tuition and required fees covered. A new Pre-Nursing Pathway opened its first cohort in fall 2025 and admits students directly to the BSN after required science courses, giving Houston-area students a route in without a nursing entrance exam.
- 15-month, 60-credit accelerated BSN across four semesters
- Full-time enrollment with fall, spring, and summer starts
- 900 clinical hours beginning in the first semester
- Clinical placements across more than 200 affiliated Houston sites
- CCNE accredited, with courses taught by practicing nurses
- Free tuition and required fees for Texas residents under $100,000 income
- Hybrid format with coursework and clinicals at the Texas Medical Center
Alvin Community College
#5Alvin, TX · ~$9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Alvin Community College is a Brazoria County community college whose two-year ADN ends with a capstone preceptorship in a real care setting, plus a one-year LVN-to-ADN bridge for working vocational nurses. Clinical affiliates stretch across the Houston and Galveston region, including sites in the Texas Medical Center, and graduates hold transfer agreements into RN-to-BSN programs at several universities. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are 96.4% on 219 candidates over the board's three most recent reporting years, the school's overall graduation rate is 24.0%, and net price after aid is about $8,500. It is the natural commute for readers south of Beltway 8 along the 288 corridor.
- Two-year ADN with a capstone preceptorship in the final semester
- ACEN accredited with clinical affiliates across Houston and Galveston
- In-district program cost of about $8,000
- Transfer agreements with Galen College, Lamar University, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
- One-year bridge track for licensed vocational nurses
- In-district cost of about $6,500
- Shares Houston and Galveston clinical affiliates with the ADN track
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN and transfer into RN-to-BSN programs
San Jacinto Community College
#6Pasadena, TX · $2,500 – $7,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
San Jacinto College is a large two-year system whose Pasadena campus anchors a five-term ADN of 60 credits, including a summer term, with labs, simulation, and clinical rotations. It also runs a hybrid RN-to-BSN completion program for nurses who already hold a license, which is not a pre-licensure route. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are 95.1% on 724 candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years, the school's overall graduation rate is 30.1%, and net price after aid is roughly $12,100. Students commuting from Pasadena, Deer Park, or the Ship Channel communities are within a short drive of the campus and its clinical partners.
- Two-year program across five terms, including a summer term
- 60 total credit hours with labs, simulation, and clinical rotations
- Prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- Builds patient care and clinical judgment skills
- One-year completion program for working registered nurses
- Online coursework in eight-week terms
- Five concentration options including community health and nursing research
- Workplace-based capstone or change project
- Fall and spring starts with about 60 students admitted each term
- Low in-district tuition with a scholarship for every BSN student
Lone Star College System
#7The Woodlands, TX · $3,300 – $9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Lone Star College is a multi-campus system serving Montgomery County and north Houston, with a four-semester ADN, an LVN/LP-to-ADN transition track, and an RN-to-BSN completion program at LSC-Montgomery. Its ADN pipeline is the largest in this group by test volume: 1,005 first-time NCLEX-RN candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years at a 92.5% pass rate. The school's overall graduation rate is 21.1% and net price after aid is roughly $11,300. Readers commuting from The Woodlands, Spring, or Tomball get a full ADN and a bachelor's completion option without crossing the city.
- Four-semester program starting each fall
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Lecture, lab, and clinical components each term
- Multiple entry and exit points within one program
- CPR certification and professional liability insurance required
- Bridge track for licensed vocational and practical nurses
- Progression requires 75% or better in every course
- Background check through DPS and FBI before clinicals
- Readmission possible within two years
- One-year and two-year completion options for working RNs
- Offered at LSC-Montgomery with one fall start per year
- Prerequisites required before admission
- Application period opens in February 2026
Texas Health School
#8Houston, TX · $30,000 – $35,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 83.6% (2-yr weighted avg)
Texas Health School is a private Houston institution on the west side whose nursing pathway is an LVN-to-ADN program built around working adults: eight back-to-back eight-week sessions, general education coursework online, and 384 supervised clinical hours. First-time NCLEX-RN candidates passed at 83.6% on a small cohort of 29 across the board's recent reporting years, and the school's overall graduation rate is 84.2%, the highest in this group. Net price after aid is about $32,600, making this the priciest ADN option here. The hybrid schedule and Energy Corridor location suit an LVN who needs to keep earning while finishing the degree.
- 64-week LVN to ADN program starting in spring
- Eight back-to-back eight-week sessions
- General education coursework completed online
- 384 supervised clinical hours
- Award is an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Accredited by the Council on Occupational Education
- Military benefits and federal aid accepted
University of St Thomas
#9Houston, TX · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 79.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university in Montrose whose CCNE-accredited BSN takes a whole-person approach, pairing nursing science with ethics, communication, and faculty mentorship in small classes. Students complete clinical placements in Houston hospitals and clinics, and the university takes part in a regional nursing partnership initiative with St. Luke's Health, Memorial Hermann, Houston Methodist, and HCA Houston Healthcare. First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates are 79.6% on 825 candidates across the board's three most recent reporting years, the school's overall graduation rate is 68.8%, and net price after aid is roughly $19,400. The Montrose campus sits between downtown and the Texas Medical Center, about as easy a commute as Houston offers.
- CCNE accredited four-year BSN
- Holistic, whole-person care threaded through the curriculum
- Clinical training in Houston hospitals and clinics
- Small classes with faculty mentorship
- Prepares students for RN licensure and graduate study
Chamberlain University-Texas
#10Houston, TX · ~$32,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 80.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
Chamberlain University's Houston campus is a private BSN provider near the Texas Medical Center that runs a three-year, 122-credit program on a hybrid schedule with evening and weekend class options. It tests more first-time NCLEX-RN candidates than any other school on this list, 1,742 across the board's three most recent reporting years, at an 80.3% pass rate. The school's overall graduation rate is 25.0% and net price after aid runs near $32,200, so the tradeoff is scheduling flexibility against cost and outcomes. For a working adult who needs night classes and a Medical Center address, it is the most schedule-friendly option here.
- Three-year, 122-credit BSN
- Hybrid delivery with evening and weekend class options
- 34 clinical partner sites with access to the Texas Medical Center
- Entrance exam required: ACT, SAT, TEAS, or HESI
- Average class size of 21
- LPN to BSN option available
ADN vs. BSN in Houston: Cost, Length, and NCLEX Results
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) is a roughly two-year program, usually at a community college, while a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) is a four-year university degree. Both qualify you to sit for the same NCLEX-RN and earn the same Texas RN license. The differences show up in cost, timing, and where you may be hired.
Cost, Pay, and Debt
When comparing the Cost of RN Programs, net price is the approximate average yearly cost after grant aid. Among the schools ranked here, Lee College in Baytown comes in around $6,879 and Alvin Community College around $8,525. The University of Houston's BSN averages about $14,276. Private options run higher: University of St. Thomas about $19,359, Houston Christian University about $20,629, and Chamberlain University about $32,209.
Program-level Scorecard figures, measured about one year after completion, are closer than the price gap suggests. Median earnings were roughly $75,294 for Alvin's ADN and $72,164 for Lee's, against $85,740 for UH's BSN and $82,043 for UTHealth Houston's. Median debt at completion was about $8,902 (Alvin) and $9,500 (Lee) for the ADNs, versus $19,131 (UH) and $15,000 (UTHealth Houston) for the BSNs. These are federal cohort medians and may not match what a new graduate earns today.
NCLEX-RN Results
Statewide, Texas ADN programs posted a 92.45% first-time pass rate in 2024, and Texas programs overall reached 92.69%, against 91.16% nationally. Houston Community College's ADN was 87.30% that year. Alvin and Lee both show three-year first-time rates of 96.4%. On the BSN side, UH shows a 98.4% three-year weighted average and UTHealth Houston 95.2%, but BSN results vary widely by school, and there is no single statewide BSN average to compare against. Check each school's own figure in the ranking above.
The Trade-Off
The ADN is cheaper, and the 2024 community college results show it can match or beat many BSNs on the exam. Plan for about two years of nursing courses after admission, with prerequisites often adding a year. A BSN typically takes about four years in total. The catch is hiring. Many Texas Medical Center hospitals prefer or require a BSN, so ADN graduates in Houston often plan an RN-to-BSN within a few years of starting work.
Rule of thumb: choose the ADN for budget and speed, and the BSN for Magnet-hospital and leadership goals.
How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Houston?
Most Houston nursing students reach NCLEX-RN eligibility in about 12 to 48 months: roughly a year or more for licensed LVNs in a bridge program or degree holders in an accelerated BSN, about two years for an ADN, and up to four years for a traditional BSN. These are typical program lengths only. Prerequisite courses such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology and chemistry can add a semester or more before you start nursing coursework, so check each school's requirements against your transcript early.
Most Affordable Nursing Schools in Houston
Houston City College posts the lowest average net price here at $5,737 a year, but treat every figure below as an average of what students actually paid after grants and scholarships, not a quote for your own bill. Lone Star College's BSN is an RN to BSN completion track for nurses who already hold a license, so first-time students comparing pre-licensure costs should look at Houston City College, Lee College and Alvin Community College for the ADN and University of Houston-Downtown for the BSN. For a tuition-free path, UTHealth Houston's Future Nurses Fund covered tuition and mandatory fees (not books, parking or uniforms) for 111 Cizik School of Nursing BSN students in spring 2026, open to full-time Texas residents with no prior bachelor's degree, income of $100,000 or less and at least a 3.00 GPA in prerequisites, while smaller awards such as HCC's $1,000 Mary E. Stephenson Scholarship for ADN students (due December 15, 2026) and the federal Nurse Corps Scholarship, which pays tuition and fees in exchange for required post-graduation work at a critical shortage facility, can help close remaining gaps.
| School | Location | Degree | Program | Average Annual Net Price | Program Tuition (In-State) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston City College (HCC) | Houston, TX | ADN | Professional Nursing Practice, A.A.S. | $5,737 | $4,344 |
| Lee College | Baytown, TX | ADN | Associate Degree Nursing | $6,879 | $4,665 |
| Alvin Community College | Alvin, TX | ADN | Nursing (ADN) | $8,525 | $3,130 |
| University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, TX | BSN | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $10,542 | $7,582 |
| Lone Star College System | The Woodlands, TX | BSN (RN to BSN) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN) | $11,252 | $5,976 |
From LVN to RN: Bridge Options at Houston-Area Community Colleges
What an LVN-to-RN bridge does
LVN to RN programs, sometimes called LVN-to-ADN transition tracks, let licensed vocational nurses apply completed LVN coursework toward an Associate Degree in Nursing and then sit for the NCLEX-RN. Because you already hold a Texas LVN license, the path is shorter than a traditional ADN; you focus on the role change from vocational to registered nursing rather than repeating foundations. Expect to show an active, unencumbered Texas LVN license and meet college prerequisites. Lone Star College's 2027 cycle lists the HESI as its entry exam.1
Houston-area community college options
- San Jacinto College: LVN/Paramedic-to-RN Transition with fall and spring admission. Fall applications run February 1 to April 15; spring applications run July 1 to September 15, closing at 11:59 p.m. on each deadline.
- Lone Star College: Transition nursing at LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball, and LSC-Kingwood. LSC-CyFair does not offer it; applications close at 4:00 p.m. CST.2 For 2027, Montgomery, North Harris, and Tomball accept January 5 to April 1, 2027, with HESI due March 25, 2027; Kingwood accepts March 23 to May 27, 2027, with HESI due May 20, 2027.1
- Alvin Community College: LVN-to-ADN Transition for Fall 2026 accepted applications May 11 to June 5, 2026; documentation, including official transcripts from every college attended, was due June 5, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. CT.3
- College of the Mainland: LVN-RN Transition has spring admission. The application opened August 17, 2026 and the deadline is September 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.4
Length and delivery format vary by campus and are not stated uniformly in the current materials, so confirm whether evening, weekend, or hybrid sections are available when you contact the nursing department. Pasadena students may find San Jacinto College the most direct commute, while Alvin Community College serves the Alvin and Pearland side of the metro. Lone Star College's campuses cover the north suburbs, and College of the Mainland is a nearby option for Texas City readers.
Plan around application windows
Bridge tracks at Houston-area community colleges often accept students once or twice a year, and deadlines can fall at 4:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. rather than midnight. Check each college's current cycle before you apply, since Lone Star College notes its dates are subject to change. If you are a working LVN, start gathering transcripts and scheduling the required exam well before the window opens.
LVN to RN Programs Near Houston
Working LVNs in the Houston area have several bridge routes to the RN license, most of them associate degree tracks at community colleges. The programs below differ in how much credit they give for your bedside experience, whether classes meet on campus or in a hybrid format, and how long the transition takes. One option here leads to a BSN rather than an ADN.
- LVN-RN transition track
- LVN-ADN track
- LPN to BSN Option
- LVN-ADN Transition
- LVN/Paramedic to RN Transition Nursing
- LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track
- LVN to ADN Nursing Program
- LVN-to-RN transition program
Accelerated BSN and Entry-Level MSN Programs Near Houston
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, an accelerated BSN or entry-level MSN can move you into nursing in roughly one to two years of full-time study instead of four. Houston has several of these second-degree routes, including 12-month accelerated nursing programs in Houston, TX with more than one start date a year. Treat school as your full-time job: these cohorts leave little room for outside work, and prerequisite deadlines usually fall months before the first day of class.
- Second Degree BSN
- Pacesetter Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Accelerated BSN
Registered Nurse Pay in the Houston Metro
Houston pays its registered nurses slightly above the national norm, which matters when you weigh tuition against what you can expect to earn after licensure.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Houston, TX
If you already hold an RN license, this is your starting point: the Houston-area programs below help associate-degree nurses finish the bachelor's without leaving the workforce, and most deliver coursework online or in a hybrid format. When you are ready for graduate study, the site's Texas RN to BSN, MSN and nurse practitioner program pages lay out the next steps.
- RN to BSN
- RN-BSN Option
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- RN to BSN Completion Program
- Online RN to BSN
- Nursing, Bachelor of Science (RN-to-BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Houston, TX
Advanced practice study in Houston runs from master's-level nurse practitioner tracks to doctoral programs for nurses who already hold an MSN. The options below mix hybrid and online delivery, and several place clinical hours inside the Texas Medical Center.
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Nursing Leadership and Administration
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nursing Informatics)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesia)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Leadership and Administration)
- Master of Science in Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Administration, Family Nurse Practitioner)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (Family Nurse Practitioner)
- MSN in Nurse Education
- Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care
- Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education Track
- Master of Science in Nursing - Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Program-Nurse Anesthesia
- Nursing Education and Leadership, M.S.N.
- Exercise and Health Sciences M.S. (Public Health)
Getting Licensed as an RN in Texas
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Houston, TX
16 schools within 30 miles, grouped by city. Select a program to see its highlights, and use the Website link for the school's own program page.
Alvin, TX
Alvin Community College
Associate - Nursing (ADN)
- ACEN accredited
- 2-Year program
- Complete in in just two years
- Capstone required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- Clinical affiliates in Houston-Galveston
- Preceptorship in capstone semester
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - Nursing Transition (LVN to ADN)
- ACEN accredited
- 1-Year program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
- 1-year LVN to ADN track
- In-district cost $6,500
- Out-of-district cost $7,700
- Transfer to RN-BSN programs
On-Campus · Website
Baytown, TX
Lee College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
- ACEN accredited
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Earn ACLS and PALS certifications
- Partnerships with regional healthcare employers
- Supervised clinical experiences
- Prepare for RN licensure
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - LVN-RN Transition
- ACEN accredited
- Prerequisite courses required
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Earn ACLS and PALS certifications
- Partnerships with regional healthcare employers
- Supervised clinical experiences
- Prepare for RN licensure
- Waivers for first-semester nursing courses
On-Campus · Website
Houston, TX
Chamberlain University-Texas
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: ACT, SAT, TEAS, HESI
- $93,330 total program tuition
- $765 per credit
- 3-Year program
- 122 total credit hours
- 92% licensure pass rate
On-Campus · Website
College of Health Care Professions
Associate - Nursing Associate of Applied Science (LVN to ADN) Program
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 20-Month program
- 61.5 total credit hours
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- 384 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Full-time transition program
Concentration: LVN to ADN · Hybrid · Website
Denver College of Nursing-Houston
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- 4 start dates per year
- Financial aid available
- Small class sizes
- Hands-on laboratory experiences
- Small-group learning environments
- Essential clinical experiences
- Regionally accredited by HLC
- Single-focused nursing institution
On-Campus · Website
Houston Christian University
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 121 total credit hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Clinical rotations at Texas Medical Center
- State-of-the-art Clinical Learning Center
- Small class sizes for personal attention
- Faith-integrated nursing education
On-Campus · Website
Houston City College
Associate - Professional Nursing Practice, A.A.S.
- Prerequisite courses required
- Careers in hospitals, clinics, home health
- Direct admission for eligible students
- Prerequisite courses require B or better
- Prerequisites repeatable up to two times
- LVN to ADN transition option
- Patient and family care focus
- Collaborative health-care team training
On-Campus · Website
Texas Health School
Associate - LVN to ADN
- 64-Week program
- Starts spring
- 91% licensure pass rate
- 384 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Hybrid learning format
Hybrid · Website
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest
Associate - Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (LVN to ADN)
- Texas Board of Nursing accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 80-Week program
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- 384 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Houston-Northwest campus location
Hybrid · Website
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 2 concentration options
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Highest ranked BSN in Texas
- Free tuition for qualifying students
- Clinicals at world's largest medical center
- 200+ healthcare partners
Hybrid · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 15-Month program
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Tuition and required fees free
- Income under $100,000 qualifies
- Highest-ranked BSN in Texas
- 200+ clinical affiliation sites
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Pacesetter BSN
- CCNE accredited
- 15-Month program
- 60 total credit hours
- Full-time enrollment
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- 900 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
Hybrid · Website
University of Houston
Bachelor's - Second Degree BSN
- 12-Month program
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts spring
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Face-to-face at Sugar Land Campus
- Designed for career changers
- Eligible to take NCLEX-RN exam
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Traditional BSN Track
- Synthesize knowledge from biological sciences
- Demonstrate effective interpersonal communication
- Critically analyze and apply research findings
- Serve as client advocates
- Encourage lifelong learning
- Face-to-face instruction
- Designed for freshmen
- Prepares for professional nursing practice
On-Campus · Website
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Bachelor's - Registered Nurse, B.S.N.
- Complete in two to six semesters
- Rolling admissions
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- Synchronous and asynchronous options
- Hyflex learning option
- Designed for licensed registered nurses
On-Campus · Website
University of Houston-Downtown
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- CCNE accredited
- 33 total credit hours
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- $50 application fee
- Financial aid available
- Clinical experiences in the Texas Medical Center
- Small class sizes
- Convenient class schedule
On-Campus · Website
University of St Thomas
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Year program
- Holistic whole-person care
- Faculty mentorship and guidance
- Clinical training in healthcare settings
- Ethical and compassionate care focus
- Prepares for RN licensure
- Intimate supportive learning environment
On-Campus · Website
Pasadena, TX
San Jacinto Community College
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing, Associate of Applied Science
- 2-Year program
- Five terms, including a summer term
- 60 total credit hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Prepares you to become an RN
- Includes labs, simulations, clinical rotations
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- $2,573 total program tuition
- 1-Year program
- As little as one year
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- 1 letters of recommendation (minimum)
Hybrid · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), Texas Board of Nursing accredited
- 5 concentration options
- $2,573 total program tuition
- 1-Year program
- As little as one year
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
Concentration: Community Health Nursing · Hybrid · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- ACEN, Texas Board of Nursing accredited
- 5 concentration options
- $2,573 total program tuition
- 1-Year program
- As little as one year
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.5 GPA minimum
Concentration: Nursing Research · Hybrid · Website
The Woodlands, TX
Lone Star College System
Associate - Associate Degree Nursing
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Starts fall
- Prepares for RN State Licensure Examination
- Approved by Texas Board of Nursing
- Classes include lecture, lab, and clinical
- CPR certification required
- Professional liability insurance required
On-Campus · WebsiteAssociate - LVN/LP to ADN Transition Track
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing accredited
- Prepares for RN State Licensure Examination
- Approved by Texas Board of Nursing
- Bridge for LVNs/LPs to ADN
- Multiple entry/exit program
- Professional liability insurance required
On-Campus · WebsiteBachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN-to-BSN)
- ACEN accredited
- One and Two year program options
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts fall
- Offered at LSC-Montgomery
- Prerequisites required
- Application opens February 2026
Hybrid · Website
Program data from the schools and the National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS).
Before You Apply: Common Questions
Two questions come up again and again from Houston readers weighing their first nursing program. A third covers a 2026 admissions change that affects ADN graduates planning ahead.