2019 - Best LVN Programs in Texas
Texas strives to ensure that all nurses in the state are competent to practice safely, hoping to advance the profession through collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Individuals can apply for a vocational nursing license by exam after completing an approved program, or by endorsement from other states to meet an ever-growing demand for nurses in the state. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 12% increase in licensed vocational nurse (LVN) jobs by 2024, making this a great time to pursue an education in this growing field. Texas LVNs earn around an hourly wage of $21.70 or annual salary of $45,130, which is roughly $1,100 more per year than national average.
Are you looking to become a licensed vocational nurse in Texas? The school you choose is important when it comes to getting your license. Approved programs in Texas are offered at community colleges, technical centers, and private career schools - we list 77 schools across the state. After careful review of NCLEX-PN exam first-time pass rates over the past several years, we have ranked the top 30 programs. For more information on our LVN program rankings, see our Methodology page.
To see all the top ranked LVN programs in Texas click here.
Details on Texas LVN Schools & Classes
Texas schools are home to a staggering 75+ vocational nursing programs. This means that students in just about any part of the state will be able to find a program that fits their needs. Most LVN programs are designed to be completed in roughly one year of full-time study, or two years of part-time study. Some schools offer programs in a daytime setting, while others host night or weekend schedules. The majority of LVN programs in Texas are found at junior colleges and technical schools. The LVN curriculum will contain basic nursing courses, some general education, labs, and hands-on clinical experiences. Typical course titles include:
- Vocational Nursing Concepts
- Essentials of Medication Administration
- Pharmacology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Maternal Neonatal Nursing
- Pediatrics
Accreditation
Students are highly encouraged to choose an LVN program that is fully accredited. Associations such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) evaluate nursing programs to ensure that they meet stringent standards, and only then do they accredit them. These programs are generally trustworthy and hold more weight on a resume. In addition to this, students should check to ensure that their LVN program of choice is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Admission Requirements
Vocational nursing programs in Texas can be competitive, so students should ensure that they meet or exceed all entrance requirements before applying. In order to be admitted, students typically need to meet the following:
- Attend a program information session
- Be a high school graduate or GED certificate holder
- Submit TEAS test scores (minimum scores may apply)
- Submit proof of TSI status
- Submit criminal background check and pass a drug test
Tuition and Costs
Students can be apprehensive about paying for their vocational nursing education, but knowing what to expect can help. In general, students are responsible for covering the costs of tuition, additional school fees, and course materials. While these figures can vary between schools, students worried about affording these expenses can seek financial aid opportunities from their school of choice or from outside sources. To provide an example on cost, the LVN program at Lonestar College (with campuses across the state in Cyfair, Houston, Katy, and more) runs an estimated $4,179 in totality. This includes tuition and all mandatory fees.
Texas LVN Licensing Requirements
To become an LVN in Texas, educational requirements must be met by attending a program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. Students must carry a “C” or above on all nursing courses. Once coursework is complete, the applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN. Only graduates of Board approved programs are eligible for testing. Along with the application for licensure, applicants living in the state of Texas must submit Livescan Fingerprinting, while applicants from out-of-state must submit a criminal background check. Texas LVN licenses must be renewed every 2 years, and the license holder is responsible for 20 hours of continued education each renewal period.
NCLEX Exam Information
The NCLEX-PN is the exam that students must pass upon completing their vocational nursing education. This test measures the student’s comprehension of nursing topics. For detailed information on the NCLEX-PN, take a look at our comprehensive guide here. We have also created an NCLEX-PN practice test to help students get a feel for the exam and to help them study.
LVN Reciprocity and eNLC
Texas is a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC), which means that nurses in compact states must register a primary state of residence, but can work in multiple compact states without additional licensure. LVNs in states outside of the compact area can apply for a Texas license by endorsement as long as their original licensing requirements are equivalent to those in Texas. Other requirements include:
- Pass the State Board Test Pool Examination (SBTPE) or NCLEX-PN
- Currently employed as an LPN/LVN
- Submit a criminal background check
Foreign transfers must verify their education through a Credential Evaluation Services (CES) Full Education course-by-course report (see - https://www.bon.texas.gov/end-eligibility.asp#LVN for more info), pass a English Proficiency Exam, and submit a criminal background check and verification of licensure, as well as sit through and pass the NCLEX exam.
LVN Salary in Texas By Area
The table below lists career information obtained from the BLS for licensed vocational nurses in Texas. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.
| Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land | 13,060 | $23.96 | $49,830 |
| Dallas, Plano, Irving | 10,570 | $22.70 | $47,210 |
| San Antonio, New Braunfels | 6,800 | $20.92 | $43,520 |
| Fort Worth, Arlington | 4,730 | $22.96 | $47,760 |
| Austin, Round Rock | 3,580 | $22.24 | $46,260 |
| McAllen, Edinburg, Mission | 2,460 | $21.67 | $45,070 |
| El Paso | 1,430 | $21.14 | $43,960 |
| Lubbock | 1,410 | $21.08 | $43,850 |
| Tyler | 1,400 | $20.23 | $42,080 |
| Beaumont, Port Arthur | 1,360 | $19.78 | $41,140 |
| Corpus Christi | 1,240 | $20.34 | $42,300 |
| Killeen, Temple | 1,210 | $20.72 | $43,100 |
| Brownsville, Harlingen | 1,000 | $21.24 | $44,190 |
| Wichita Falls | 990 | $19.54 | $40,640 |
| Abilene | 970 | $18.63 | $38,760 |
| Longview | 870 | $20.11 | $41,840 |
| Amarillo | 770 | $21.77 | $45,270 |
| Waco | 700 | $22.39 | $46,570 |
| Texarkana | 670 | $17.06 | $35,480 |
| Sherman, Denison | 630 | $19.48 | $40,520 |
| Victoria | 540 | $19.20 | $39,930 |
| College Station, Bryan | 460 | $19.08 | $39,690 |
| Laredo | 420 | $24.78 | $51,540 |
| San Angelo | 420 | $19.60 | $40,770 |
| Midland | 280 | $22.32 | $46,420 |
| Odessa | 270 | $21.70 | $45,130 |
For those interested in advancing their nursing career, see our Texas LVN to RN/BSN programs page.
Top Ranked Texas LVN Programs
Alvin Community College
Alvin Community College (ACC) is located in Alvin, Texas, with an additional campus located in Pearland. ACC provides high-quality education through innovative instruction and hands-on experiences, training students to become compassionate caregivers through its one-year, 44 credit-hour vocational nursing program. With stellar first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates, ACC grads can rest assured that their educational investment will be worthwhile.
St. Philip's College - New Braunfels
St. Philip's College is located in New Braunfels, Texas, and is part of the Alamo Colleges District. SPC's exceptional full-time LVN program is 12 months in length (3 semesters) and guides students through the fundamentals of vocational nursing. A certificate is awarded upon completion, and grads are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN.
Angelina College - Lufkin
Angelina College - Lufkin is home to a top-ranked LVN program for aspiring vocational nurses. Angelina College offers a variety of one-year certification programs and degree programs made up of two-years of course study. AC also offers programs for adult education and workforce development.
South Plains College - Reese Center
South Plains College (SPC) - Reese Center is located in Lubbock, Texas, one of several campus locations including Levelland and Plainview. Those looking to become vocational nurses can enroll in SPC's 12-month LVN program, which includes courses in Applied Nursing Skills, IV Therapy, Pediatrics, and more.
Laredo Community College
Laredo Community College offers area students a one-year vocational nursing certificate program to prepare them to take and pass the NCLEX-PN examination. Included in LCC's VN curriculum are courses in pharmacology, nutrition, human anatomy and physiology, as well as clinical practice.
Texarkana College
Texarkana College has been offering its exceptional vocational nursing program since 1956. Today, students enrolled in this 48 credit-hour program are taught the fundamentals of nursing by experienced and caring faculty. Graduates go on to find employment in long-term care facilities, hospitals, medical clinics, and more.
Howard College - San Angelo
Howard College is home to a highly respected vocational nursing program. The LVN program is a 12-month certificate program designed to prepare students to perform direct patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse and/or physician. Upon completion of the program, students are ready to conquer the NCLEX-PN licensing exam and are prepared for upward mobility in a nursing career.
Navarro College - Waxahachie
Navarro College's Waxahachie campus is home to a 12-month LVN program for students with a desire to enter the healthcare field. With no prerequisites required, students can be on their way to a vocational nursing career in no time. The curriculum includes both classroom lectures and clinical practice days.
Baptist Health System School of Health Professions
The Baptist Health System School of Health Professions in San Antonio provides a vocational nursing program that aims to train knowledgeable and confident LVNs. Students get the advantage of practicing at clinical sites throughout the Baptist Health System to hone their skills in this 1-year program.
South Plains College - Plainview
South Plains College (SPC) - Plainview extension center is located in Plainview, Texas, with additional locations in Levelland and Lubbock. SPC offers more than 100 programs of study at affordable rates, including a renowned 1-year vocational nursing program that weaves classroom and clinical learning throughout the curriculum.
Del Mar College
Del Mar College is located in Corpus Christi. The high quality Vocational Nursing program at Del Mar fully prepares students to enter the profession of nursing and to impact the health and well being of patients and people in the community.
Odessa College - Andrews
The LVN program at Odessa College's Andrews campus enrolls up to motivated 40 students at a time. The 3-semester, year-long program provides students with an affordable, quality vocational nursing education that fully prepares them to sit for the NCLEX-PN examination.
Paris Junior College
Paris Junior College is home to an excellent nursing program. After the first year of study, students are prepared to become Licensed Vocational Nurses and find gainful employment in the health care industry. The program readies students for the NCLEX-PN exam and for continued education in the nursing field.
Navarro College - Mexia
Navarro College-Mexia is a two-year institution located in Mexia, Texas, with additional campuses located in Waxahachie, Midlothian, and Fairfield. Navarro College believes in outstanding teaching and gives students the skills they need to find successful employment as LVNs at the culmination of its 1-year vocational nursing program.
Brazosport College
Brazosport Community College is located in Lake Jackson, Texas. Brazosport College creates a dynamic learning environment with the help of a committed faculty, providing a quality vocational nursing program that produces caring, patient-centered LVNs.
Temple College - Temple
Temple College is a comprehensive community college located in Temple, Texas, offering a variety of educational opportunities to its students and the community. Temple College offers an LVN program that takes one year to complete and fosters professional development, lifelong learning, and skilled entry-level nursing practice.
Victoria College - Victoria
Victoria College, established in 1925, provides a vocational nursing program to introduce students to entry-level nursing concepts. Through classroom lectures and supervised clinical rotations, students gain the skills and knowledge needed to pass the NCLEX-PN and enter into rewarding careers as LVNs.
Amarillo College
According to Amarillo College, seventy percent of nurses in the area have been trained through their renowned nursing programs. AC's LVN program utilizes the school's Nursing Resource Center (NRC) to prepare students via realistic simulations. Students earn their vocational nursing certificate in just 3 semesters of study.
Trinity Valley Community College - Kaufman
Trinity Valley Community College (TVCC) - Kaufman is located in Kaufman, Texas, with additional campuses located in Athens, Palestine, and Terrell. TVCC offers a vocational nursing program with clinical experiences, allowing students to become proficient health care providers with a willingness to excel.
Blinn College - Brenham
Blinn College is a comprehensive two-year institution located at Brenham, Texas, with additional locations in Bryan, Schulenburg, and Sealy. Blinn College offers a vocational nursing program that teaches students the fundamentals of nursing through classroom, lab, and clinical practice. Graduates are well-prepared for LVN employment in a variety of medical settings.
Navarro College - Corsicana
Navarro College's Corsicana campus believes outstanding teaching and high-quality services will give students the opportunity to excel and accomplish both personal and professional goals. Its 12-month LVN program accepts a new class each Fall, preparing the next generation of highly skilled vocational nurses.
Howard College - Big Spring
Howard College (HC), located in Big Spring, Texas, is committed to excellence, helping students reach their maximum potential via an innovative vocational nursing program curriculum and integrated critical thinking, ensuring student success in the healthcare field. The program includes 48 total credit-hours of instruction.
Temple College - Taylor
Temple College's Taylor campus offers a variety of educational opportunities to students in the community. TC's vocational nursing program is completed over 3 consecutive semesters, preparing students to enter the LVN workforce swiftly and efficiently.
Hill College - Hillsboro
Hill College is located in Hillsboro, Texas, with additional locations in Cleburne, Burleson, Glen Rose, and Meridian. Hill College provides high-quality nursing programs, including its one-year vocational nursing certificate program which aims to admit top candidates for enrollment. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN for licensure.
Lone Star College - CyFair
Lone Star College System (LSCS) - CyFair, located in Cypress, Texas, with additional locations and campuses in Houston, Katy, Kingwood, New Caney, Conroe, Tomball, and The Woodlands, is the fastest growing community college in the nation. LSCS offers a full-time vocational nursing program that can be completed in one year and prepares students to provide patient care in a variety of settings.
Trinity Valley Community College - Palestine
Trinity Valley Community College's Palestine campus provides students with a vocational nursing program pathway to help them reach their employment goals. TVCC's 12-month certificate program boasts a hands-on Monday through Friday curriculum to immerse students in vocational nursing topics.
South Plains College - Levelland
South Plains College (SPC) - Levelland extension center is located in Levelland, Texas, with additional locations in Plainview and Lubbock. SPC offers more than 100 programs of study at affordable rates, including an LVN program that teaches students how to become entry-level nursing caregivers in just 12 months of study.
El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College offers a variety of quality nursing programs to train compassionate caregivers. EPCC's LVN program curriculum includes nursing theory lectures and clinical experiences at major hospitals in the region, giving students the didactic and hands-on training required to excel in the profession.
Texas Health School
Houston's Texas Health School provides a number of healthcare-oriented career programs, including a vocational nursing program that aims to prepare compassionate LVNs to serve the community. Students are taught the clinical and critical-thinking skills necessary to become successful in the medical/healthcare sector.
Midland College - Fort Stockton
The Fort Stockton campus of Midland College offers a one-year certificate program in vocational nursing with a total of 50 semester credit hours. The curriculum includes courses in leadership and professional development, medical terminology, foundations of nursing, and much more.
Continued List of All Programs in Texas
| Ranked | Program | Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| #31 | Northeast Texas Community College 2886 FM 1735 Chapel Hill Road, Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455 (903) 434-8100 | 95.35 | Request Information |
| #32 | Dallas Nursing Institute 12170 Abrams Rd #200, Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 351-0223 | 95.19 | Request Information |
| #33 | Rio Grande Valley College 5419 N. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577 (956) 781-6800 | 94.41 | Request Information |
| #34 | Blinn College - Bryan 2423 Blinn Blvd, Bryan, TX 77805 (979) 209-7200 | 94.28 | Request Information |
| #35 | Austin Community College 2818 U.S. 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 (830) 997-6363 | 94.21 | Request Information |
| #36 | Galen College of Nursing 7411 John Smith Dr #300, San Antonio, TX 78229 (210) 733-3056 | 94.01 | Request Information |
| #37 | Odessa College - Monahans 806 South Dwight, Monahans, TX 79756 (432) 335-6390 | 93.99 | Request Information |
| #38 | Frank Phillips College 1301 Roosevelt St, Borger, TX 79008 (806) 457-4200 | 93.72 | Request Information |
| #39 | San Jacinto College - North 5800 Uvalde, Houston, TX 77049 (281) 998-6150 | 93.38 | Request Information |
| #40 | Cisco College 101 College Heights, Cisco, TX 76437 (254) 442-5000 | 93.13 | Request Information |
| #41 | Tyler Junior College 1327 South Baxter Avenue, Tyler, TX 75701 (903) 510-2200 | 92.90 | Request Information |
| #42 | Texas State Technical College - Harlingen 1902 North Loop 499, Harlingen, TX 78550 (800) 852-8784 | 92.20 | Request Information |
| #43 | El Centro College 801 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 860-2000 | 91.97 | Request Information |
| #44 | Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086 (817) 594-5471 | 91.91 | Request Information |
| #45 | Lamar State College - Port Arthur 1500 Procter St, Port Arthur, TX 77640 (409) 983-4921 | 91.39 | Request Information |
| #46 | North Central Texas College 1525 West California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240 (940) 668-7731 | 91.34 | Request Information |
| #47 | Grayson College 6101 Grayson Dr, Denison, TX 75020 (903) 465-6030 | 91.07 | Request Information |
| #48 | Central Texas College 6200 West Central Expressway, Killeen, TX 76549 (254) 526-7161 | 90.96 | Request Information |
| #49 | Valley Baptist Medical Center - School of Vocational Nursing 2101 Pease St, Harlingen, TX 78550 (956) 389-1721 | 90.35 | Request Information |
| #50 | College of the Mainland 1200 N Amburn Rd, Texas City, TX 77591 (409) 938-1211 | 90.09 | Request Information |
| #51 | Lamar State College - Orange 410 W Front Ave, Orange, TX 77630 (409) 883-7750 | 89.46 | Request Information |
| #52 | Houston Community College 555 Community College Dr, Houston, TX 77013 (713) 718-8200 | 89.29 | Request Information |
| #53 | Tyler County Hospital 1100 West Bluff, Woodville, TX 75979 (409) 283-8141 | 88.77 | Request Information |
| #54 | South Texas College 3700 W. Military Hwy., McAllen, TX 78501 (956) 872-6100 | 88.52 | Request Information |
| #55 | San Jacinto College - South 13735 Beamer Rd., Houston, TX 77089 (281) 998-6150 | 88.05 | Request Information |
| #56 | Angelina College - Crockett 1505 South 4th Street, Crockett, TX 75835 (936) 544-0055 | 87.42 | Request Information |
| #57 | Southwest Texas Junior College 2401 Garner Field Road, Uvalde, TX 78801-6297 (830) 591-7256 | 86.94 | Request Information |
| #58 | Lone Star College - Tomball 30555 Tomball Parkway, Tomball, TX 77375 (281) 351-3300 | 86.85 | Request Information |
| #59 | St. Philip's College - San Antonio 1801 Martin Luther King Dr., San Antonio, TX 78203 (210) 486-2055 | 85.56 | Request Information |
| #60 | Coastal Bend College 3800 Charco Rd, Beeville, TX 78102 (361) 358-2838 | 83.47 | Request Information |
| #61 | Concorde Career Institute 600 E Lamar Blvd #200, Arlington, TX 76011 (817) 261-1594 | 83.05 | Request Information |
| #62 | Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies 345 S. Texas Blvd., Weslaco, TX 78596 (956) 973-1945 | 82.84 | Request Information |
| #63 | McLennan Community College 1400 College Drive, Waco, TX 76708 (254) 299-8000 | 82.30 | Request Information |
| #64 | Texas State Technical College - Sweetwater 300 Homer K. Taylor Dr, Sweetwater, TX 79556 (254) 559-7746 | 81.45 | Request Information |
| #65 | Panola College 1109 W Panola St, Carthage, TX 75633 (903) 693-2000 | 80.98 | Request Information |
| #66 | Texas Southmost College 80 Fort Brown St, Brownsville, TX 78520 (956) 295-3600 | 80.47 | Request Information |
| #67 | Wharton County Junior College 911 Boling Highway, Wharton, TX 77488 (979) 532-4560 | 80.47 | Request Information |
| #68 | Schreiner University 2100 Memorial Blvd, Kerrville, TX 78028 (800) 343-4919 | 80.39 | Request Information |
| #69 | Ranger College 1100 College Circle, Ranger, TX 76470 (254) 647-3234 | 79.33 | Request Information |
| #70 | Kilgore College 300 S High St, Longview, TX 75601 (903) 753-2642 | 78.75 | Request Information |
| #71 | Clarendon College 1122 College Dr, Clarendon, TX 79226 (806) 874-3571 | 78.59 | Request Information |
| #72 | Vernon College 4400 College Drive, Vernon, TX 76384 (940) 552-6291 | 77.61 | Request Information |
| #73 | Galveston College 4015 Avenue Q, Galveston, TX 77550 (409) 944-4242 | 75.93 | Request Information |
| #74 | Bell Tech Career Institute 14602 Presidio Square Boulevard, Houston, TX 77083 (713) 636-2659 | 70.38 | Request Information |
| #75 | The Vocational Nursing Institute, Inc. 11201 Steeple Park Drive, Houston, TX 77065 (832) 237-2525 | 68.86 | Request Information |
| #76 | The College of Health Care Professions 240 Northwest Mall, Houston, TX 77092 (800) 487-6728 | 57.67 | Request Information |
Programs Not Included In Rankings
| Program | Details |
|---|---|
| CyberTex Institute of Technology 6300 La Calma Dr. Suite 350, Austin, TX 78752 (512) 454-6116 | Request Information |
Are we missing your school's program or need to make changes to the information listed? Please contact us.
2017 Texas LVN Program NCLEX-PN Pass Rates
- Total NCLEX-PN Takers = 4,590
- Total NCLEX-PN Passers = 3,968
- Total NCLEX-PN Pass Rate = 86.84%
Additional TX Nursing Resources
- Texas Board of Nursing 333 Guadalupe, Suite 3-460 Austin, TX 78701 Phone: (512) 305-7400
- Texas Nursing Association 8501 N. MoPac Expy. Suite 400 Austin TX 78759 Phone: (512) 452-0645
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