Nursing Programs in Lubbock, TX
Beginning a career in the nursing profession is an exciting prospect – one that offers promising job opportunities and room for professional growth. There are accredited educational programs available in the Lubbock area at all levels of nursing – for students just beginning their careers and those who wish to continue their education and/or advance to nursing leadership positions.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Lubbock
Choosing the right nursing school can be overwhelming. Rankings help prospective students compare programs based on objective data. Registerednursing.org has created these rankings for the Best Nursing Schools in Lubbock, focusing solely on NCLEX pass rates as the primary indicator of program quality. Review our methodology below to understand how we evaluate schools. https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/
Yearly Pass Rate Trends
Insight: The pass rate improved significantly from 2023 to 2024, indicating a positive trend.
- 2023: 79.05% average pass rate (105 students)
- 2024: 96.34% average pass rate (82 students)
Yearly Nursing Graduates
Insight: The number of graduates decreased, possibly reflecting program size adjustments.
- 2023: 105 nursing graduates
- 2024: 82 nursing graduates
Top Performing Schools
Insight: South Plains College is the only school with sufficient data, maintaining a strong overall average.
- South Plains College: 86.63% average pass rate (187 students over 2 years)
Biggest Improvements
Insight: South Plains College demonstrated a remarkable improvement in pass rates between 2023 and 2024.
- South Plains College: Improved from 79.05% to 96.34% (+17.29 percentage points)
Pass Rate by Program Size
Insight: Medium-sized programs with 50-100 students per year showed excellent performance.
- Medium (50-100 students): 96.34% average pass rate (82 students)
West Texas A & M University
Canyon, TX - Public 4-Year - wtamu.edu
Bachelor's - Pre-Licensure Nursing to BSN
Campus Based - Visit Website
West Texas A&M University's Pre-Licensure Nursing to BSN program is a campus-based, four-year degree that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and a career in nursing. The curriculum covers core sciences, psychology, and nursing courses, providing a strong foundation in patient care, critical thinking, and leadership. Students gain hands-on clinical experience through the Bivins Nursing Learning Center and partnerships with regional healthcare facilities. Graduates are prepared for diverse roles including management, risk management, and quality assurance, with an average starting salary of $63,808. The program emphasizes a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and dedicated faculty. Admission is competitive, requiring a minimum GPA of 3.0, completion of prerequisites, and a pre-admission HESI A2 exam. With fall and spring start dates, the program offers flexibility while maintaining a rigorous, cohort-based structure. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and the program enjoys strong rankings and accreditation.
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- Apply by 2026-04-15
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- $63,808 median earnings
- Average WT Nursing program graduates salary is $63,808
- Prerequisite courses required
- $50 application fee
- Financial aid available
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Lubbock, TX - Public 4-Year - ttuhsc.edu
Bachelor's - Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s Traditional BSN program prepares students for a rewarding nursing career through a blend of classroom theory and hands-on clinical experience. The four-semester curriculum covers health promotion, mental and behavioral health, complex acute care, and culminates in a clinical immersion where students apply skills in their chosen specialty area. Graduates are equipped to work in hospitals, community clinics, and other healthcare settings as compassionate nurse leaders. The program is delivered at five Texas campuses—Abilene, Amarillo, Lubbock, Mansfield, and Odessa—and is accredited by CCNE. Students benefit from engaged faculty with an open-door policy, a 24/7 Student Resource Center, and virtual onboarding. As the number one nursing school in Texas for three consecutive years and an NLN Center of Excellence, TTUHSC offers a supportive environment focused on student success.
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Apply by 2026-08-15
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
Lubbock Christian University
Lubbock, TX - Private 4-year - lcu.edu
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Lubbock Christian University's RN-BSN program is a hybrid, ACEN-accredited degree designed for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. The curriculum builds on clinical experience, focusing on leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice. Students gain skills in care coordination, quality improvement, and patient advocacy. Graduates are prepared for management roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings, as well as graduate study. LCU's Christian environment emphasizes service and ethical care. The program accommodates working nurses with flexible scheduling. Notable outcomes include over half of nursing leadership at major Lubbock hospitals being LCU alumni, reflecting the program's strong reputation and network.
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
- 58% of UMC leadership
- 69% of Covenant Health leadership
- 68% South Plains College faculty
Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Lubbock, TX
Entry-level nursing programs are available for students who are just beginning their careers in nursing. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) provides a basic foundation of nursing practices and a diploma needed for entry-level jobs, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree offers a more in-depth education that takes around four years to complete. Both programs prepare students to take and pass the NCLEX licensing exam and begin their careers in nursing.
LVN to RN Programs
Licensed practical nurses have already developed experience promoting the health and wellbeing of patients and are skilled at providing basic patient care. For these professional nurses, an accelerated LVN to RN bridge program offers an opportunity to advance their careers and become registered nurses. These bridge programs are often much faster to complete than a traditional RN training program for non-nurses. For example, the LVN to RN program at Covenant Health School of Nursing is 27 weeks in length and includes 14 weeks of didactic instruction followed by 13 weeks dedicated to clinical experiences.
ADN Programs
Ideal for aspiring nurses who want to begin working as quickly as possible, the ADN program can be completed in two years or less and provides nurses with their nursing diploma. Covenant Health School of Nursing in Lubbock offers a full-time hospital-based diploma program that is completed in two years of study.
Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs
A BSN program takes about twice as long to complete as the ADN degree, but provides nurses with a more in-depth introduction to nursing and a bachelor’s degree upon completion. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that, upon completion of prerequisite coursework, can be completed in as few as four consecutive semesters.
Learn more about Texas Accelerated BSN Programs
RN to BSN Programs in Lubbock, TX
If you are already at working RN with your ADN and are interested in earning a BSN degree, a specially designed RN to BSN program may be right for you. These “bridge programs” provide a pathway for working nurses to complete a higher degree in less time than a direct-entry program because they count your diploma coursework toward the bachelor’s degree.
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs provide a pathway to a bachelor’s degree in nursing for registered nurses who have completed their ADN. The BSN program at Lubbock Christian University is designed for graduates of ADN programs who hold the RN license and includes 30 credit hours of core university courses and 30 credit hours of nursing courses.
Learn more about Texas RN to BSN Programs
List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs
Canyon, TX
West Texas A & M University
- RN to BSN - RN-BSN
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Nationally ranked nursing degrees
- Offered 100% online
- Multiple start terms available
- Training nurses since 1978
- Designed for rural and urban communities
Lubbock, TX
Texas Tech University
- RN to BSN - RN to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 1-Year program
- Complete in can be completed in one year, or on a two-year part-time basis
- Full-time and part-time options
- 2 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring
- 2.0 GPA minimum
- Valid Texas RN license required
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- RN to BSN - R.N. to BSN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Builds on established healthcare experience
- Opportunities to advance nursing career
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Lubbock, TX
Nurses who want to advance their careers to leadership positions or work as a nurse practitioner will need to pursue an advanced practice nursing degree, such as the MSN, post-master’s certificate and/or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Texas Tech University in Lubbock offers a variety of advanced practice nursing degrees for RNs to choose from.
MSN Programs
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program prepares nurses for leadership positions in nursing, and often allows students to specialize their studies in a chose area of nursing, such as pediatric nursing, family medicine and others. Texas Tech University offers an MSN program with tracks in administration, pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner, acute care nurse practitioner, nursing informatics, nurse educator, midwifery and family nurse practitioner.
Learn more about Texas Nurse Practitioner Programs
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
For nurses who already have their MSN degree but would like to switch to a different specialty, a post-master’s certificate program allows them to earn a certificate in a new specialty without repeating other courses in the MSN degree program. Texas Tech University offers post-master’s certificate programs in nursing education, nursing informatics and a variety of nurse practitioner specialties.
Learn more about Texas Post-Master's Certificate Programs
DNP Programs
A DNP is the highest advanced practice nursing degree available to nurses and prepares nurses for high-paying leadership positions in advanced nursing practice, healthcare administration, clinical research, and academia. Texas Tech University offers a traditional DNP program, as well as a BSN to DNP program that is a combination of online and face-to-face coursework and supervised clinical experiences.
Learn more about Texas DNP Programs
List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Lubbock
Canyon, TX
West Texas A & M University
- BSN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner MSN Degree
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 46 credit hours minimum
- Hybrid format with Texas clinicals
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Unencumbered RN license required
- Complete within 6 years
- B or higher in all courses
- Fall and spring admission starts
- Two clinical references required
Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Christian University
- BSN to MSN - MSN Education and Leadership Degree
Concentration: Education and Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 35 total credit hours
- 100% job placement rate
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- $60 application fee
- Hybrid program for working nurses
- Five annual start dates
- 10% educator tuition discount
- BSN to MSN - MSN Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 46 credit hours required
- 750 clinical training hours
- 2-3 year program length
- Hybrid format delivery
- May start date
- Cohort-based progression
- 3.0 minimum GPA required
- 2 years RN experience required
- BSN to MSN - Nursing Education and Leadership Degree
Concentration: Education and leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Exams: GRE, MAT
- 35 total credit hours
- 5 start dates per year
- Starts spring/summer/fall
- 100% job placement rate
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Capstone required
- $60 application fee
- BSN to MSN - Nursing Education and Leadership
Online & Campus Based - Website
- No entrance exam required
- Exams: GRE, MAT
- 1.5-2 years program
- 35 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 5 start dates per year
- Starts fall/spring/summer
- Synchronous and asynchronous options
- MSN to DNP - Clinical Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Clinical - Online Learning - Website
- ACEN accredited
- 2 concentration options
- 2-Year program
- 36 total credit hours
- Starts fall
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- 1000 clinical hours
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Education and Leadership Track
Concentration: Education and Leadership - Online Learning - Website
- 36 credit hours required.
- 2-year program length.
- August start date.
- Online program format.
- 3.0 GPA required.
- Current RN licensure needed.
- Three letters of reference.
- Scholarly project required.
Texas Tech University
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing/MBA Dual Degree
Concentration: Health Organization Management - Online Learning - Website
- MSN and MBA dual degree
- Health Organization Management concentration
- Reduced 57 credit hours
- Partnership with nursing school
- Management skills for healthcare
- Career development focus
- Jointly administered program
- Transfer credit options
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- BSN to MSN - MSN Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Acute Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 51 credit hour program
- Hybrid online/campus format
- Requires BSN and RN license
- 3.0 minimum GPA required
- Two years pediatric experience needed
- PALS certification required
- Eligible for CPNP exam
- Tuition information available online
- BSN to MSN - MSN Nurse Midwifery
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 51 semester credit hours.
- Hybrid online and campus format.
- Average cost $300-$400 per hour.
- Requires BSN and RN license.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required.
- Three professional references needed.
- Labor and delivery experience preferred.
- Accredited by ACME and CCNE.
- BSN to MSN - MSN Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Primary Care - Online & Campus Based - Website
- 49 total credit hours
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Work experience required
- Prerequisite courses required
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- BSN to MSN - MSN Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online Learning - Website
- 49 semester credit hours.
- Full-time or part-time options.
- 100% online coursework.
- Clinical hours in home area.
- Focus on rural health.
- Telemental health training.
- Requires BSN degree.
- 3.0 minimum GPA.
- BSN to MSN - MSN-MBA Dual Degree Program
Concentration: Nursing Administration and Health Organization Management - Online Learning - Website
- Dual MSN/MBA degree program.
- Online course delivery format.
- 57 total credit hours required.
- 21 hours of dual credits.
- MSN concentration in Nursing Administration.
- MBA concentration in Health Organization Management.
- 3.0 GPA requirement for admission.
- Separate application to both schools.
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Administration
Online Learning - Website
- Online program format
- 36 semester credit hours
- BSN entry requirement
- 3.0 minimum GPA
- Valid RN license needed
- One year RN experience
- Three professional references
- Personal statement required
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Informatics
Online & Campus Based - Website
- First nursing informatics MSN in Texas.
- Hybrid program format.
- 39 semester credit hours.
- Prepares for ANCC and CPHIMS certification.
- Requires BSN and RN license.
- Minimum 3.0 GPA for admission.
- Two years clinical experience required.
- Informatics or technology experience needed.
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus in nursing education
Online Learning - Website
- CCNE, ACEN accredited
- Exams: TOEFL
- 39 total credit hours
- Apply by 2025-02-15
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Work experience required
- BSN to MSN - Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner Track
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 48 semester credit hours
- Hybrid delivery format
- Prepares for ANCC and AANP exams
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- Valid unencumbered RN license
- One year RN experience required
- Three professional references
- Personal statement essay
- MSN to DNP - BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts summer
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- Work experience required
- Prerequisite courses required
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- Supervised clinical experiences
- Meets AACN and NONPF standards
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 6-Semester program
- Starts summer
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- 3 letters of recommendation (minimum)
- 500 clinical hours
- Classes online with executive sessions
- Designed for working master's-prepared nurses
- 45-46 credit hours
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Lubbock, TX
Canyon, TX
West Texas A & M University
- Bachelor's - Pre-Licensure Nursing to BSN
Campus Based - Website
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- Apply by 2026-04-15
- Starts fall/spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- $63,808 median earnings
- Average WT Nursing program graduates salary is $63,808
- Prerequisite courses required
Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Christian University
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
- 58% of UMC leadership
- 69% of Covenant Health leadership
- 68% South Plains College faculty
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Bachelor's - Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 4-Semester program
- Apply by 2026-08-15
- 1 start dates per year
- Starts spring
- 3.0 GPA minimum
- Prerequisite courses required
- Military benefits accepted
