Texas employs roughly 57,560 licensed vocational nurses, one of the largest LVN workforces in the country, and the statewide median wage of $62,240 runs several thousand dollars above the national figure for LPNs and LVNs; many of those nurses later advance through LVN to RN programs in Texas.
That demand supports a crowded training market: community college certificates, hospital-affiliated cohorts, and private career schools, all leading to the same license.
For most applicants the hard part isn't finding a seat. It's deciding whether a nine-month private certificate at full tuition is worth more than a community college track that costs a fraction as much but carries a waitlist and a longer calendar.
Texas LVN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
The NCLEX-PN is the exam every Texas vocational nursing graduate must pass before licensure, so first-time pass rates say a great deal about how well a program actually prepares its students. This section is ordered by that measure, starting with the programs whose graduates cleared the exam on the first attempt most consistently. For each one you will find the teaching focus, the length of the track, the clinical experience built in, and the kind of student it fits best.
How we ranked these
- Graduation rates carry the most weight
- Three-year NCLEX-PN pass rates
- Program completion rates
- Accreditation and board approval
- Net price and program cost
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Northeast Texas Community College
A three-semester vocational nursing certificate built for rural East Texas, with clinical rotations across medical-surgical, maternal-neonatal, pediatric and mental health settings. The college also runs a transition track for working LVNs and paramedics who want to move toward RN licensure, so graduates here are not boxed in. Admission hinges on the TEAS and prerequisite science courses, and small cohorts keep faculty contact high. Because nursing offerings at the college have shifted in recent years, it is worth confirming the current application cycle with the department before you apply.
- Three-semester certificate totaling 48 credit hours
- TEAS entrance exam required, minimum score of 58.7%
- Prerequisites in anatomy, physiology and psychology
- Supervised on-site clinical instruction
- Clinical rotations in medical-surgical nursing
- Coursework in childbearing and neonatal care
- Pediatric care from birth through adolescence
- Small classes with faculty advisor support
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Kilgore College
A 12-month certificate delivered at the KC-Longview campus, with August and January start dates and a capstone clinical evaluation in the final semester. The program moved from conditional to full Texas Board of Nursing approval after a 100% NCLEX-PN pass rate for its 2024 cohort, and small admitting cohorts keep instruction close. Partnerships with regional health systems give East Texas students structured clinical placements and a clearer line into local hiring.
- Accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing
- 12-month certificate totaling 47 credit hours
- New cohorts begin in August and January
- Entrance exam required (ATI TEAS)
- Final-semester capstone clinical evaluation
- Delivered at the KC-Longview campus
- Clinical courses advance from introductory to advanced settings
- Partnerships with regional health systems support clinical placement
Nursing/Vocational Certificate — On-Campus
Texarkana College
A one-year, 48-credit certificate with face-to-face daytime classes and clinical time in local hospitals, clinics and long-term care sites. In-district students pay roughly $6,710 in total program tuition, among the lower published program costs in the state. Two application cycles each year, plus an LVN-to-RN pathway on the same campus, make this a practical choice for Northeast Texas residents who want to keep advancing without relocating.
- One-year certificate totaling 48 credit hours
- TEAS entrance exam with an overall score of 50 or higher
- In-district total program tuition of about $6,710
- Prerequisites in anatomy and physiology
- Minimum 2.0 overall and nursing GPA
- Fall applications close April 15; spring close October 1
- LVN-to-RN transition pathway on the same campus
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
North Central Texas College
A 12-month certificate with several North Texas campuses and a hybrid track that pairs online theory with weekend labs and clinicals, one of only a couple of board-approved hybrid LVN options in the state. Students can earn a CNA credential after the first semester and then stack into an LVN-to-ADN transition program. The college reports a 98% licensure pass rate, and the TEAS must be taken in person.
- 12-month certificate completed in one year
- Spring and fall start dates each year
- TEAS entrance exam must be taken in person
- Program reports a 98% licensure pass rate
- CNA credential earned after the first semester
- Weekend skills labs and clinical sessions
- LVN-to-ADN transition pathway for graduates
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — Online
San Jacinto Community College
A one-year, 45-credit certificate serving the Houston area from two campuses, with 448 supervised clinical hours and a capstone NCLEX-PN review built into the final term. The certificate stacks into a vocational nursing AAS degree, which gives graduates a route toward a bachelor's later. Two district rules matter here: nursing credits from outside San Jacinto do not transfer, and applications close hard on the posted deadlines.
- One-year certificate with 45 credit hours
- 448 supervised clinical hours
- Capstone NCLEX-PN review before graduation
- Stacks into a Vocational Nursing AAS degree
- Offered at both the North and South campuses
- Fall applications run February 1 to April 15
- Spring applications run July 1 to September 15
- Outside nursing credits do not transfer, except anatomy and physiology
Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate — On-Campus
Tarrant County College District
A 45-credit Level 2 certificate at Trinity River Campus East in Fort Worth, with consistently strong first-time NCLEX-PN results in recent years. Admission is selective and exam-driven: a HESI A2 score of at least 75% across five sections plus anatomy and physiology completed with a C or better. In-county tuition keeps the program affordable for Tarrant County residents, and a fast-track RN option on the same campus serves licensed LVNs, paramedics and military medics.
- Accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing
- 45 semester credit hours, Level 2 certificate
- HESI A2 scores of 75% or higher in five sections
- Anatomy and physiology required before applying
- Selective admission program
- Military and veteran education benefits accepted
- Fast-track RN option for licensed LVNs and medics
- Low in-county tuition for Tarrant County residents
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Odessa College
A West Texas option best known for its dual credit vocational nursing track, which lets high school juniors in partner districts finish most of the coursework before graduation. The college also added a part-time LVN track for adult learners, and the entrance exam must now be taken in person. CPR certification, a criminal background check and a 2.5 GPA are all part of the admission picture.
- Two-year dual credit track totaling 44 credit hours
- Partnerships with three West Texas school districts
- Dual credit students start in the fall of junior year
- Entrance exam must be taken in person
- Minimum 2.5 GPA for admission
- CPR certification and background check required
- Mandatory orientation before the program begins
- Part-time LVN track for adult learners
Vocational Nursing Dual Credit Certificate — On-Campus
Blinn College District
A 10- to 11-month certificate in Brenham with no prerequisite courses, which makes it unusually accessible for career changers. Clinical placements stay in the Brenham area, and applicants must attend a mandatory information session before they can even receive an application. The program requires in-person TEAS testing with specific section minimums, plus college-ready TSI status in Texas.
- Completed in 10 to 11 months
- No prerequisite courses required
- ATI TEAS must be taken in person
- Minimum 33.3% TEAS science score; 50% in other sections
- Two TEAS attempts allowed, 14 days apart
- Mandatory information session before applying
- Fall and spring cohorts, Level 2 certificate
- Clinical placements in Brenham-area facilities
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — Hybrid
Temple College
A full-time, one-year certificate that runs across three consecutive semesters starting in summer, with clinical training supervised by registered nurses. The HESI A2, with a minimum score of 80, and CPR certification are required before students move into patient care. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, and military benefits, scholarships and financial aid are all accepted.
- One-year, 46-credit certificate
- Three consecutive full-time semesters starting in summer
- HESI A2 entrance exam with a minimum score of 80
- CPR certification required before clinicals
- Coursework includes pharmacology and maternal-neonatal nursing
- Clinical training under registered nurse supervision
- Military and veteran benefits accepted
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Vocational Nursing, Level II Certificate — On-Campus
Howard College
A 12-month, 48-credit certificate in Big Spring designed for students who already hold a CNA credential, with prerequisites in the sciences and lifespan development. Clinical rotations cover maternal-neonatal, pediatric and medical-surgical care at local healthcare facilities. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and leans heavily on medication administration, hands-on patient care and clinical judgment.
- 12-month certificate with 48 credit hours
- Current CNA certificate required for admission
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Prerequisites in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and lifespan development
- Clinical rotations in maternal-neonatal and pediatric care
- Clinical placements at local healthcare facilities
- Health insurance required for clinical participation
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
LVN Program Affordability: Texas's 5 Lowest Net-Price Options
The net prices below reflect institution-wide averages after financial aid, not program-specific tuition quotes. Your actual cost will depend on residency status, aid eligibility, and individual circumstances. That said, these five community colleges stand out for keeping the overall price tag low. Notably, Pell Grant recipients make up a large share of enrollment at every school on this list (roughly 90% or higher at four of the five), which signals strong access to need-based federal and state aid, including the Texas-specific Nursing Students Scholarship Program (up to approximately $5,772 per award year) and the Texas Public Education Grant (approximately $3,000 per year at participating colleges). Students should also ask financial aid offices about WIOA workforce funding and the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant, which can further reduce out-of-pocket costs at public two-year institutions.
| School | City | Program Format | Avg. Net Price (After Aid) | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of the Mainland | Texas City | Campus (12 months) | $1,342 | 31% |
| South Texas College | McAllen | Campus (1 year) | $1,751 | 27% |
| Victoria College | Victoria | Campus (1 year) | $3,043 | 29% |
| Texas Southmost College | Brownsville | Campus (12 months) | $3,085 | 30% |
| El Paso Community College | El Paso | Campus (evening/weekend track available) | $3,206 | 24% |
Fastest LVN Programs in Texas: 9- to 12-Month Tracks
Full-time day cohorts and evening/weekend tracks both lead to the same vocational nursing certificate, but they compress the same curriculum into very different calendars. If you are searching for the fastest LVN program in Texas, Central Texas College is the most direct answer: its LVN certificate is listed as a 9-month program1, the only school in our research with that explicit timeline, and among the Fastest LPN/LVN Programs of 2026.
The 9-Month Option
Central Texas College's 9-month certificate shows what a true accelerated track looks like. The program carries 43 credits and is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing1. For students who can commit to full-time study, this is the shortest path from application to NCLEX-PN eligibility.
12-Month Full-Time Tracks
Many Texas schools list a 12-month full-time LVN option, including El Paso Community College3, Arlington Career Institute4, Concorde Career College5, Collin College6, North Central Texas College, Vernon College7, CTK Healthcare, and Galen College of Nursing Austin8. Texas Health School's day track runs 48 weeks2, just under a full calendar year. These programs, several of which are Community College Nursing Programs, keep the same curriculum and clinical hours but spread them over a standard 12-month calendar.
What Accelerated Really Means
Accelerated tracks usually run year-round or in consecutive terms with fewer scheduled breaks. The trade-off is a heavier weekly load: full-time day students often spend eight or more hours per day in class or clinicals, leaving little room for part-time work. Evening/weekend options at schools like Texas Health School (74 weeks)2, El Paso Community College (18 months)3, or Concorde Career College (21 months)5 stretch the same material over a longer calendar and may fit working students better, but they are not the fastest route. If your priority is speed and you can pause working for a year, a 9- to 12-month day program is the clearest path.
Your Path to an LVN License in Texas: A Step-By-Step Guide
Becoming a licensed vocational nurse in Texas means moving through a defined sequence set by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON): meeting basic eligibility, finishing an approved program, then proving competency through licensing exams before you can legally use the LVN title.
Before You Enroll
Most programs require a high school diploma or GED, a clean background check, and up-to-date immunizations before clinical rotations. As of June 3, 2026, applicants must also document legal authorization to work in the United States, a new TBON requirement worth confirming with your school early.
From Classroom to Clinic
Once enrolled, look for TBON approval specifically. TBON approval is what qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-PN Exam in Texas, and it is distinct from national ACEN accreditation, which some programs also carry for transfer and financial aid purposes. Programs blend didactic coursework with supervised clinical hours in real healthcare settings, the portion that turns textbook knowledge into hands-on skill.
Licensure and Testing
After graduation, you'll apply through the Texas Nurse Portal, submit fingerprints for a background check (roughly $200), and pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Exam. Once TBON confirms eligibility, Pearson VUE issues authorization to test for the NCLEX-PN, currently $200 (rising to $350 in February 2027). Combined with the application fee, expect to budget several hundred dollars for this stage. Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so an active LVN license typically carries multistate privileges in other compact states.
Staying Licensed
Licenses renew every 24 months, with TBON requiring 20 contact hours of continuing education before renewal (first-time licensees are exempt on their initial renewal). Treat this cycle as ongoing professional maintenance, not a formality, since lapses can interrupt your ability to practice as a licensed practical nurse.
CNA-To-LVN Bridge Programs Available in Texas
For working CNAs, the real question is whether a bridge program actually saves enough time to justify staying in a lower-paying role a few extra months while you apply, versus just enrolling in a traditional VN track now. In Texas, a handful of community colleges offer that shortcut, but the time savings are more modest than the marketing suggests.
Where to find bridge tracks
- Alvin Community College: Runs a CNA-VN Bridge with applications open February 2 to March 4, 2026 for a Summer 2026 start. Requires an active Texas CNA certification, at least 6 months of clinical experience, and HESI-A2 scores.
- Houston Community College: One of the best LVN programs in Houston, the CNA to LVN Transition runs roughly 18 months full-time at about $5,063 total. Applicants need an active CNA credential, 6 months of hands-on experience, and HESI-A2 results.
- St. Philip's College and Dallas College El Centro Campus (one of the best LVN programs in Dallas): Both offer advanced-placement entry into their VN certificates for CNAs in good standing on the HHSC registry, though published prerequisites are lighter on specifics.
What you actually save
Most Texas CNA-to-LVN pathways run 12 to 15 months full-time, compared to 18 to 21 months for part-time traditional VN certificates. That is roughly 3 to 9 months shaved off, with credit granted for prior CNA coursework and clinical hours rather than a large tuition discount.
Can You Complete an LVN Program Online in Texas?
Can you become an LVN in Texas entirely through online coursework? No, and any program claiming otherwise isn't following Texas Board of Nursing rules. Under 22 TAC 214.9(b)(3), didactic coursework can be delivered remotely, but only if the curriculum and faculty meet documented online-teaching standards equivalent to in-person instruction. Clinical training is a separate matter entirely.
Why Clinical Hours Stay On-Site
Separate board rules under 22 TAC 214.10 require supervised clinical experience in real healthcare settings, and that requirement can't be satisfied through simulation or virtual coursework alone. The Texas Board of Nursing doesn't approve out-of-state online or correspondence LVN programs either, so residents can't shortcut the process through a distance program based in another state and expect automatic Texas licensure eligibility.
Where Hybrid Formats Exist
A handful of TBON-approved schools have built hybrid LPN programs that get as close to "online" as current rules allow. Blinn College District and North Central Texas College both deliver theory coursework online while requiring labs and clinical rotations in person. Tyler Junior College describes its practical and vocational nursing program similarly, as blended distance education paired with on-site clinical placement. Beyond these, many of Texas's 84 vocational nursing programs now use online course technology for portions of their didactic content, though that's course delivery, not a structural hybrid model.
If you're searching for the best LVN programs in Texas online, the honest answer is that hybrid, not fully remote, is currently the ceiling.
What LVNs Earn Across Texas: Statewide and Metro Salary Data
Texas employs roughly 57,560 licensed vocational nurses, making it one of the largest LVN workforces in the country. The statewide median annual wage sits at $62,240, which outpaces the national median for LPNs and LVNs by several thousand dollars. For context, registered nurses in Texas earn a median of $95,970, while postsecondary nursing instructors earn a median of $84,930, illustrating clear financial incentives for LVNs who choose to advance their education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects solid demand for LPNs and LVNs both nationally and in Texas, driven by an aging population and expanding outpatient care settings. Nationally, employment in this occupation is expected to grow faster than average through the early 2030s, and Texas's large, diversifying healthcare sector positions the state for especially strong hiring activity.
| Occupation | Total Employment in Texas | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile Wage | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Vocational Nurses | 57,560 | $62,770 | $57,110 | $62,240 | $68,410 |
| Registered Nurses | 271,380 | $95,380 | $79,170 | $95,970 | $105,100 |
| Nursing Instructors (Postsecondary) | 6,830 | $96,030 | $65,560 | $84,930 | $106,140 |
More Accredited LVN Programs Across Texas
Texas has more vocational nursing programs than any ranked list can hold, and where you live often matters as much as NCLEX-PN pass rates do. The directory below covers 15 additional schools, grouped by region so you can start with the ones nearest you. Each entry notes the campus location, program format, and the average net price federal data reports for that college, which makes it easy to compare options outside the ranked list.
Texas Panhandle
- Vocational Nursing Program
DFW Metroplex
- Vocational Nursing Diploma Program
- Vocational Nursing Program
- Licensed Vocational Nursing
- Vocational Nursing
Central Texas
- Vocational Nursing
Greater Houston
- Vocational Nursing
- Licensed Vocational Nursing Program
Southeast Texas
- Vocational Nursing (LVN)
East Texas
- Vocational Nursing
West Central Texas
- Vocational Nursing
- Licensed Vocational Nursing
San Antonio Area
- Vocational Nursing
Coastal Bend
- Licensed Vocational Nursing, Level II - Certificate
- Vocational Nursing Program
