Nursing Schools In Texas

The demand to attend one of the many Nursing schools in Texas continues to grow as the health care profession explodes within the state. In fact, so many people are now choosing nursing as a career that many of the best nursing schools in Texas actually have waiting lists for their 2 year Associates in Nursing Degree programs.

While this might sound discouraging at first, the truth is that the demand for qualified LVN's (Licensed Vocational Nurses) and RN's (Registered Nurses) is so great that finding a job after completing your education shouldn't be difficult.

So why is there a shortage of Nurses in Texas? Much of it has to do with population growth and an aging baby boomer generation.

In recent years, Texas has enjoyed a stable and even growing economy. One side effect has been a large increase in the state population as many have moved to Texas to take advantage of the growing job market and favorable state tax situation. These events have lead to a growing need for nurses as there have been strains on the overall Texas health care system in general.

As you can see, there has never been a better time to look into nursing schools in Texas. The goal of our website is to educate you about what schools and education opportunities are available to potential nursing students. We hope this information helps you find the best nursing school in Texas for your unique situation.

Choose the best Nursing School in Texas for Your Career Goals

Before pursuing an education in the nursing field it's important to decide what type of nurse you are going to become. While there are many advanced titles for RN's who continue their education we will cover the difference between LVN's and RN's.

LVN or Licensed Vocational Nurse - Becoming an LVN requires about 9 to 12 months education. Most LVN training programs don't provide a degree but instead a certificate of completion. After receiving your certificate, then you must pass the NCLEX-PN exam before you officially become a qualified LVN/LPN. By the way, Texas and California are the only two states that refer to this type of nurse as an LVN. The rest of the country refers to them as an LPN or Licensed Practical Nurse.

RN or Registered Nurse - Becoming an RN will require either a 2 year Associates in Nursing degree (ASN) or a 4 year Bachelors of Science in Nursing degree(BSN). After receiving your degree you will then need to pass the NCLEX-RN test before you become a qualified RN who can work in the state of Texas.

Education Requirements to Attend The Top Nursing Schools in Texas

No matter if you decide to become an LVN or RN, you will need to have a few basic education requirements before you can start attending a nursing school in Texas. First, you must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Second, you must pass either the ACT or SAT college entrance exam.

70+ Accredited Nursing Schools in Texas to Choose From

Finding a nursing school near you shouldn't be a problem considering there are over 70 accredited nursing schools in Texas to choose from. Plus, they are spread out over a large area from Brownsville to Austin to Lubbock and Denton, including three major urban centers; Dallas/Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Houston.

What's more impressive though is that Texas is home to 12 of the top 100 nursing grad schools in the nation according to US News and World Report.

Here is a complete list of nursing schools in Texas:

West Texas A&M University
Weatherford College
Victoria College
University of the Incarnate Word
University of Texas-Tyler
University of Texas-Pan American
University of Texas-El Paso
University of Texas-Austin
University of Texas-Arlington
University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston
University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio
University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston
University of Texas –Brownsville and Texas Southmost College
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Trinity Valley Community College
Texas Women’s University
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Texas Christian University
Texas A&M University-Texarkana
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Texas A&M International University
Texarkana College
Temple College
Tarrant County College
Tarleton University
Stephen F. Austin State University
South Plains College
San Jacinto College South
San Jacinto College Central
San Antonio College
Prairie View A&M University
Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing
Paris Junior College
Panola College
Odessa College
North Central Texas College
Navarro College
Midwestern State University
Midland College
McMurry University
Mclennan Community College
Lubbock Christian University
Lone Star College-Tomball
Lone Star College-Montgomery
Lone Star College-Kingwood
Lone Star College-Cy-Fair
Lone Star College- North Harris
Lee College
Laredo Community College
Lamar University
Kilgore College
Howard College
Houston Baptist University
Hardin-Simmons University
Grayson County College
Galveston College
El Paso Community College
El Centro College
East Texas Baptist University
Del Mar College
Covenant Health System
Collin County Community College
College of the Mainland
Cisco Junior College
Central Texas College
Brookhaven College
Blinn College
Baylor University
Baptist Health System
Austin Community College
Angelo State University
Amarillo College
Alvin Community College
Abilene Christian University

A Breakdown of the Best Nursing Schools In Texas

Last ranked in 2011, US News & World Report ranks the top nursing schools in the nation. Texas was home to 12 grad schools that ranked in the top 100. Here we will take a closer look at each one of these top nursing programs.

The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston
Location: Houston
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #21
Available Programs: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Website: http://nursing.uth.edu/

University of Texas at Austin:
Location: Austin
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #32
Available Programs: BSN, ADN-BSN, AE-MSN, MSN,
AE-PhD, Ph.D.
Website: http://www.utexas.edu/nursing/

University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio:
Location: San Antonio
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #36
Available Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP, Ph.D.
Website: http://nursing.uthscsa.edu/

Texas Woman's University
Location: Denton
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #64
Available Programs: BSN, MSN, Ph.D., DNP
Website: http://www.twu.edu/nursing/

University of Texas Medical Branch-Galveston
Location: Galvaston
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #64
Available Programs: BSN, MSN, Ph.D.
Website: http://son.utmb.edu/

Baylor University - Louise Herrington School of Nursing
Location: Dallas
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #64
Available Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP
Website: http://www.baylor.edu/nursing/

University of Texas-Arlington
Location: Arlington
US News & World Report Ranking:  Tied for #64
Available Programs: BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Ph.D., DNP
Website: http://www.uta.edu/nursing/

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Location: Lubbock
US News & World Report Ranking:  Tied for #64
Availabe Programs: BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, Ph.D., DNP
Website: http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/

University of the Incarnate Word
Location: San Antonio
US News & World Report Ranking:  Tied for #64
Available Programs: BSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN, MSN, DNP
Website: http://www.uiw.edu/nursing/

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Location: Belton
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #99
Available Programs: BSN, MSN
Website: http://undergrad.umhb.edu/nursing/

University of Texas-Tyler
Location: Tyler
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #99
Available Programs: BSN, RN-BSN, RN-MSN, LVN-BSN, MSN, Ph.D.
Website: http://www.uttyler.edu/nursing/

Texas Christian University
Location: Fort Worth
US News & World Report Ranking: Tied for #99
Available Programs: BSN, MSN, DNP
Website:  http://www.nursing.tcu.edu/

How Much it Costs to Attend a Texas Nursing School

The cost of attending a nursing school in Texas will vary depending on several factors and you will need to look into each school individually. For example, the annual tuition cost at the University of Texas-Austin is around $9,800 while the annual tuition for McLennan Community College in Waco is only $1,900. (In-state tuition information provided by CNNMoney's College Calculator)

Alternatives to Traditional Nursing Schools in Texas

Another path for potential nursing students is taking online courses. Many of the institutions mentioned above do offer some of their courses online, which can be beneficial for those who cannot live on-campus full time. There are also other online schools like the University of Phoenix that offer programs for both LPN/LVN's and RN's.

In conclusion, there has never been a better time to start a career as a nurse. With 70+ nursing schools in Texas to choose from plus online education opportunities, finding the right program to kick-start your career is well within your grasp.