Best LVN Programs in San Antonio 2026

Find Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs in San Antonio, Texas with details on schools, coursework, tuition, and clinical training. Learn about licensing requirements and nursing career opportunities in the San Antonio area.

Written by Jane Dewy and Edited by The PracticalNursing.org Editorial Team.
Expert Guide Verified updated on May 29th, 2025.
Edit Template
San Antonio Texas LVN programs offering vocational nursing education and hands-on clinical experience for entry-level nursing roles

2027 Best LVN Programs in San Antonio, TX

When searching for the best LVN programs in San Antonio, TX, practicalnursing.org provides trusted rankings based on thorough research. We evaluate each school's curriculum, clinical training, pass rates, and student support to help future nurses make confident decisions. San Antonio offers many solid options, from community colleges to technical institutes, each with unique strengths. Our list highlights programs that stand out for their affordability and graduate success. Whether aiming for a fast track or flexible scheduling, these top picks deliver quality education. To understand how these rankings were built, review our full methodology: https://www.practicalnursing.org/rankings-methodology/
#1

Hallmark University

San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - hallmark.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Hallmark University’s Vocational Nursing certificate program blends classroom theory with extensive clinical practice, preparing students to sit for the NCLEX-PN and become licensed vocational nurses. The campus-based curriculum emphasizes patient-centered care, pathophysiology, and pharmacology through small, interactive classes. Admission requires a satisfactory TEAS score, a criminal background check, updated immunizations, and BLS certification. Notably, the program welcomes military students and offers financial aid and scholarships. With a current candidacy for ACEN accreditation, graduates enter hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics as competent LVNs. This intensive, hands-on pathway is ideal for those seeking quick entry into the nursing field.

  • ACEN accredited
  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • Military benefits accepted
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Drug test required
  • Criminal background check required
  • BLS certification required
  • Official transcripts needed
#2

Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio

San Antonio, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen College of Nursing in San Antonio delivers a 12-month Practical Nursing track designed for aspiring LVNs. The curriculum integrates classroom theory with clinical practice, training students in vital sign measurement, medication administration, and direct patient care. Learners train in contemporary simulation labs and receive guidance from faculty advisors and on-demand tutoring. With no application fee and four annual enrollment windows, starting is straightforward. The program includes preparation for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, leading to entry-level positions across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam. Financial aid and scholarships are available, and transfer credits may be accepted, enhancing accessibility for diverse students.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 12-Month program
  • 4 start dates per year
  • $0 application fee
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Transfer credit review available
  • Modern clinical learning labs
#3

St Philip's College

San Antonio, TX - Public 4-Year - alamo.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

At St. Philip's College, the Vocational Nursing program is an intensive 12-month, three-semester certificate designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN and LVN licensure. The curriculum spans medical-surgical nursing, OB, pediatrics, and mental health, with hands-on clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and ACEN-accredited, the program reports a three-year average NCLEX pass rate above 90% and job placement exceeding 85%. Classes run full-time, Monday through Friday, and graduates pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings. Admission requires the TEAS exam, and the program qualifies for Ready to Work free tuition. Monthly virtual info sessions and an application deadline of June 30, 2026, make enrollment accessible.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 12-Month program
  • Apply by 2026-06-30
  • 90% licensure pass rate
  • 85% job placement rate
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • 12-month, three-semester program
  • Clinical experiences in local facilities
  • Covers med-surg, OB, peds, mental health
#4

Galen Health Institutes-Houston

Houston, TX - Private 4-year - galencollege.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing (PN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

Galen Health Institutes-Houston offers a Vocational Nursing (VN) program designed to prepare students for LVN licensure. This 12-month, full-time campus-based track covers nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and clinical practice across varied healthcare settings. Notably, no prerequisites are required, making it accessible to career changers. The program includes NCLEX-PN preparation, simulated learning environments, and personalized support. Admission requires proof of high school graduation or equivalent, plus an entrance assessment (e.g., TEAS). Background checks and drug testing are mandatory. Financial aid via FAFSA is available, and the program provides a cost-effective route to nursing, with a bridge to ADN or BSN programs. Four start times per year and free application enhance accessibility.

  • 12-month full-time program.
  • On-campus primary class mode.
  • No prerequisites required.
  • Four start times per year.
  • Prepares for LPN licensure.
  • Hands-on clinical experience.
  • NCLEX-PN prep included.
  • Career services provided.
  • Free application process.
  • Personalized support available.
#5

Concorde Career College-San Antonio

San Antonio, TX - Private 2-year - concorde.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Practical / Vocational Nursing Diploma Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Concorde Career College–San Antonio delivers an accelerated Practical/Vocational Nursing diploma program aimed at preparing students for entry-level nursing careers as LVNs or LPNs. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations in local healthcare settings, emphasizing preventive, therapeutic, and rehabilitative care. Students are granted direct admission to nursing from day one and receive thorough NCLEX-PN exam preparation throughout the program. Graduates are qualified to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and home health agencies. The fast-paced format can be completed in as little as 13 months. Financial aid and scholarships are available for eligible students, and the college is recognized as military-friendly.

  • 13-Month program
  • Complete in Achieve a Diploma in as few as 12 to 13 months
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
  • Hands-on clinical rotations
  • Fast-paced 13-month program
  • Career as LPN or LVN
  • Direct admission to nursing
#6

The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston

Houston, TX - Private 2-year - chcp.edu

Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing Certificate

Campus Based - Visit Website

CHCP-Southwest Houston's Vocational Nursing Certificate is a 48-week, campus-based program spanning three 16-week semesters. With 1,422 clock hours (55 credits), it includes 558 lecture hours, 192 lab hours, and 672 clinical hours. Coursework covers anatomy, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, maternal health, and mental health. Students master patient assessment, medication administration, and wound care in labs before applying skills during clinical rotations in hospitals and long-term care facilities. A senior capstone and NCLEX-PN® prep course are built in. Graduates earn a certificate and are eligible for Texas LVN licensure. The program requires the TEAS entrance exam, and admission is competitive. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

  • Entrance exam required
  • Exams: TEAS
  • 48-Week program
  • 55 total credit hours
  • 672 clinical hours
  • Capstone required
  • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
  • Financial aid available
  • Scholarships available
  • Total of 1,422 clock hours
*Higher education data sourced from: IPEDS 2025, National Center for Education Statistics.

San Antonio LVN Program Overview

Licensed Vocational Nurses play a vital role in San Antonio’s healthcare system by delivering direct, hands-on care under the supervision of registered nurses and physicians. LVNs assist with medication administration, wound care, monitoring vital signs, and patient education, which supports care continuity across hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health, and outpatient clinics throughout the city.

San Antonio’s healthcare landscape includes large integrated systems and major referral centers that serve South Texas, creating consistent opportunities for entry-level nursing roles. Clinical learning and employment for LVNs commonly occur across settings such as University Health’s facilities, Methodist Healthcare and Baptist Health System hospitals, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa sites, federal hospitals like Brooke Army Medical Center and the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, as well as numerous skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, primary care clinics, and home health agencies.

  • Hospitals and specialty units, including medical-surgical, telemetry, and rehabilitation
  • Skilled nursing and long-term care facilities
  • Home health and hospice services across Bexar County and surrounding areas
  • Community health centers and outpatient clinics

Labor market data from government sources indicate a stable need for LVNs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects steady national employment growth for licensed practical and vocational nurses, and Texas is among the states with the highest employment levels for this occupation. In a large, growing metro area like San Antonio, population growth, an aging population, and the breadth of care settings sustain ongoing demand for LVN graduates.

San Antonio LVN programs are typically designed to be completed in about 12 months for full-time students. Many schools also offer extended or part-time options that may take 18 to 24 months, which can be helpful for working adults. Curricula generally include nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, gerontology, maternal-child health, mental health concepts, and clinical rotations across local healthcare sites.

Texas requires graduation from a state-approved vocational nursing program and passing the NCLEX-PN for licensure. The Texas Board of Nursing approves LVN programs, grants Authorization to Test for the NCLEX-PN, and oversees additional requirements such as the Nursing Jurisprudence Exam and fingerprint-based background checks. Many San Antonio programs integrate NCLEX-PN preparation through proctored practice exams, simulation, and competency-based skills assessments to help students meet Texas licensure standards.

Employment Opportunities for LVNs in San Antonio

The healthcare employment landscape for Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) in San Antonio, Texas, is robust and demonstrates a strong demand for these professionals. The state of Texas currently employs approximately 67,610 LVNs, with projections indicating a need for around 77,500 by 2030. San Antonio, in particular, exhibits a higher concentration of LVNs compared to the national average. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a 5% growth in LPN/LVN employment from 2022 to 2032.

LVNs in San Antonio can find diverse employment opportunities across various healthcare settings. Common types of facilities that actively hire include:

  • Nursing and Residential Care Facilities:These are significant employers, encompassing skilled nursing facilities, long-term care centers, and assisted living facilities.
  • Hospitals:LVNs are sought for roles in various hospital units, such as emergency rooms, labor and delivery, operating rooms, and intensive care units.
  • Home Health Agencies:These provide personalized patient care within private residences.
  • Physicians’ Offices and Private Practices:Outpatient settings consistently offer positions for LVNs.
  • Rehabilitation Centers:Facilities like Warm Springs San Antonio Medical Center Rehab hire LVNs to support patient recovery.
  • Senior Living Facilities:Continuing Care Retirement Communities and similar establishments frequently employ LVNs.
  • Plasma Donation Centers:Companies such as BioLife regularly hire LVNs for their centers.
  • Correctional Facilities:Opportunities are available for LVNs in detention health care services.
  • Outpatient Care Centers and Clinics:These fast-paced environments also provide numerous employment avenues for LVNs.

Several prominent healthcare systems and organizations are known for hiring LVNs in the San Antonio area. These major employers include University Health, CHRISTUS Health, Optum / WellMed, HCA Healthcare, and Molina Healthcare. Other significant employers that contribute to the LVN job market include Touchstone Communities, BioLife (a subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Ltd.), Klarus Hospice / Jet Health, Inc., and Aveanna Healthcare.

Additionally, staffing agencies play a crucial role in connecting LVNs with opportunities across various facilities, including acute care centers, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care centers, rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health centers, home health, and urgent care clinics. Examples include Wisestaff LLC, which places professionals at facilities like San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), LanceSoft, and NurseDash, which specializes in PRN (as needed) opportunities.

List of LVN Programs in San Antonio, TX

Looking for LVN programs in San Antonio, TX? We’ve gathered the top options in one convenient table. Each listing shows the school’s location, key program highlights, and a direct link to the program page. Use this list to compare schools and find the best fit for your nursing career. Start exploring the programs below and take the next step toward becoming a licensed vocational nurse. With clear details at a glance, choosing the right program is easier than ever.

San Antonio, TX

Concorde Career College-San Antonio

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical / Vocational Nursing Diploma Program

    Campus Based - Website

    • 13-Month program
    • Complete in Achieve a Diploma in as few as 12 to 13 months
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • NCLEX-PN exam preparation
    • Hands-on clinical rotations
    • Fast-paced 13-month program

Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio

  • Certificate/Diploma - Practical Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: TEAS
    • 12-Month program
    • 4 start dates per year
    • $0 application fee
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available

Hallmark University

  • Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • ACEN accredited
    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: TEAS
    • Military benefits accepted
    • Financial aid available
    • Scholarships available
    • Drug test required
    • Criminal background check required

St Philip's College

  • Certificate/Diploma - Vocational Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Entrance exam required
    • Exams: TEAS
    • 12-Month program
    • Apply by 2026-06-30
    • 90% licensure pass rate
    • 85% job placement rate
    • Prepares for NCLEX-PN
    • 12-month, three-semester program
*Original data: IPEDS 2025, NCES, U.S. Department of Education.