Texas employs roughly 57,560 licensed vocational nurses, one of the largest such workforces in the country, and the state projects thousands of openings each year as healthcare facilities expand and experienced LVNs retire. For prospective students, the challenge is not finding a program but finding the right one: NCLEX-PN pass rates, tuition costs, and program length vary widely across dozens of approved schools.
The 15 programs ranked here are sorted by first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate, with completion rate and accreditation status as supporting factors. Alongside the ranked list, you will see the five most affordable LPN/LVN programs by net price, the fastest 9- to 12-month tracks, CNA-to-LVN bridge pathways, licensure steps, and current salary data by metro area. Programs that post high pass rates at low cost do exist, but seats fill quickly.
Texas LVN Programs Ranked by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
Every program below is approved to prepare students for the NCLEX-PN, the exam that stands between a Texas vocational nursing graduate and a license to practice. Each card notes what the program costs, where and how it is taught, and what graduates report earning when that information is published. Read the notes as carefully as the order: the strongest fit is usually the program whose schedule, location and price match your life.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates first
- NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates
- Board approval and accreditation status
- Program cost and net price
- Program length and delivery options
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
Northeast Texas Community College
Northeast Texas Community College runs a three-semester vocational nursing certificate from its Mount Pleasant campus, pairing classroom work with clinical placements across rural East Texas. The curriculum covers medical-surgical nursing, maternal-neonatal care, pediatrics and mental health, and admission requires a TEAS score of at least 58.7% plus anatomy, physiology and psychology prerequisites. Graduates who want to advance can step into the college's LVN-to-RN transition track. Board records have been inconsistent about whether the certificate is currently admitting new students, so confirm its status with the college before you apply.
- Three-semester, 48-credit certificate
- Clinical practice in medical-surgical, maternal-neonatal, pediatric and mental health nursing
- TEAS score of 58.7% or higher required for admission
- Prerequisites in anatomy, physiology and psychology
- Small classes with faculty advisor support
- On-site clinical instruction with supervision
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Kilgore College
Kilgore College's vocational nursing certificate is a twelve-month, 47-credit program delivered through KC-Longview, with new cohorts each August and January. Clinical courses build from introductory to advanced settings, and a capstone clinical evaluation in the final semester checks readiness for practice. The Texas Board of Nursing moved the program to full approval after a clean first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for its 2024 cohort, and a recent board action limited admissions to a single small cohort per year. Regional partnerships with area health systems support work-integrated training.
- Twelve-month, 47-credit certificate
- August and January start dates
- HESI-A2 entrance exam required
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Final-semester capstone clinical evaluation
- Offered at the KC-Longview campus
- Financial aid available
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Texarkana College
Texarkana College offers a one-year, 48-credit vocational nursing certificate taught face to face with day classes. Clinical experiences run through hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities, and the college also keeps an LVN-to-RN transition pathway on the same campus for graduates who want to continue. Admission is points-based, with TEAS, Texas Success Initiative and GPA requirements, and there are two application windows each year for fall and spring starts. In-district pricing holds total program cost down for Bowie County residents.
- One-year, 48-credit certificate
- Face-to-face day classes
- TEAS score of 50 or higher required
- Anatomy and physiology prerequisites
- Fall applications due April 15, spring due October 1
- LVN to RN transition pathway on campus
- Program materials list about $6,710 in total tuition
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
North Central Texas College
North Central Texas College awards a vocational nursing certificate that can be finished in twelve months, with campuses in Gainesville, Corinth, Bowie and Graham plus an online hybrid track. The hybrid option delivers theory online while labs and clinicals stay in person, one of only a small number of Texas-approved hybrid vocational nursing formats. Students can earn a CNA credential after the first semester and later step into an LVN-to-ADN transition program. Admission requires the TEAS exam and prerequisite coursework.
- Twelve-month certificate, complete in one year
- Spring and fall start dates
- Online hybrid option with in-person labs and clinicals
- TEAS exam required in person
- CNA credential earned after the first semester
- LVN to ADN transition program available
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- 98% licensure pass rate reported
Vocational Nursing Certificate — Online
San Jacinto Community College
San Jacinto College's vocational nursing Level 2 certificate is a one-year, 45-credit program with 448 supervised clinical hours and a capstone NCLEX-PN review built in. It runs at the North and South campuses, covering the Houston and Pasadena area, and stacks into a Health Science Vocational Nursing Pathway AAS for graduates who want an associate credential. The program keeps cohorts local and does not accept nursing transfer credits from outside the district, apart from anatomy and physiology.
- One-year, 45-credit Level 2 certificate
- 448 supervised clinical hours
- Capstone NCLEX-PN review built into the program
- Offered at North and South campuses
- Stackable to an AAS degree
- Prerequisite courses required
- Open admission institution, background check required
- Accredited by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing, Level 2 Certificate — On-Campus
Tarrant County College District
Tarrant County College's vocational nursing certificate is a 45-credit Level 2 certificate taught at Trinity River Campus East in Fort Worth. The program is selective, requires anatomy and physiology plus the HESI A2, and has posted very high first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates in recent years. Military benefits are accepted, and graduates can transfer toward a bachelor's degree or step into the college's fast-track RN option for licensed vocational nurses.
- 45-credit Level 2 certificate
- Program materials list $5,170 in total tuition
- 100% first-time licensure pass rate reported
- Selective admission at Trinity River Campus East
- Military benefits accepted
- Transfer pathway to a bachelor's degree
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Paris Junior College
Paris Junior College runs its vocational nursing certificate as the first year of a one-plus-one ladder, with the LVN credential in under a year and an LVN-to-ADN year behind it. The 50-credit program mixes classroom, lab and clinical rotations, with sites in Paris, Greenville and Sulphur Springs across Northeast Texas. Applications open November 1 and close March 31, and the college advises applicants to start the Texas Board of Nursing background check early because clearance takes time.
Vocational Nursing (LVN), Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Odessa College
Odessa College builds its vocational nursing certificate as a two-year dual credit track for high school juniors and seniors in West Texas, delivered with Ector County, Andrews and Monahans-Wickett-Pyote school districts. Students begin nursing coursework in the fall of junior year and finish by the summer after graduation, then sit for the NCLEX-PN. Admission requires the TEAS, a 2.5 GPA, CPR certification and a criminal background check. The college has also added a part-time LVN option for adult learners.
- Two-year dual credit certificate for high school juniors and seniors
- 44 credit hours with a fall start
- Partnerships with three West Texas school districts
- TEAS entrance exam and 2.5 GPA minimum
- CPR certification, background check and orientation required
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing Dual Credit Certificate — On-Campus
South Plains College
South Plains College's vocational nursing program is a twelve-month, full-time certificate with clinical placements at Covenant and UMC facilities. Teaching runs on campus and in clinical settings with no online or night classes, so it suits students who can commit to a daytime schedule. The college delivers the program at Levelland, the Reese Center near Lubbock and the Plainview extension center, and a new LVN and paramedic-to-RN bridge is based in Levelland.
Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Blinn College District
Blinn College District's vocational nursing certificate is a 10 to 11 month, cohort-based program with fall and spring starts on the Brenham campus. Clinical placements stay in and around Brenham, and no prerequisite courses are required, which makes the program accessible to career changers. Applicants must attend a mandatory information session before they can receive the application, and the ATI TEAS is required. The college has reported strong first-time NCLEX-PN results for its vocational nursing graduates.
- Certificate Level 2 awarded after 10 to 11 months
- Fall and spring cohort starts
- No prerequisite courses required
- ATI TEAS entrance exam required
- Clinical placements in Brenham-area facilities
- Mandatory information session before applying
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Cohort-based structure with small groups
Vocational Nursing Certificate — Hybrid
Howard College
Howard College's vocational nursing certificate is a twelve-month, 48-credit program based in Big Spring. Classroom instruction is paired with clinical rotations in maternal-neonatal, pediatric and medical-surgical care at local healthcare facilities. Applicants need a current CNA certificate, prerequisite science and psychology courses and TEAS scores, plus health insurance for clinical placement. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and prepares graduates for entry-level LVN roles.
Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
McLennan Community College
McLennan Community College offers a one-year vocational nursing certificate in Waco with classroom, lab and clinical instruction. Students learn vital signs, medication administration, dressing changes and supervision of nursing aides, with an emphasis on safe practice and workplace reliability. Applications for the fall 2026 cohort are accepted from January 5 through June 15, and prerequisite coursework includes English 1301. Graduates earn a certificate of completion and are eligible to apply for LVN licensure.
- One-year certificate program
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Fall 2026 applications accepted January 5 to June 15
- Prerequisite coursework includes English 1301
- Clinical rotations included
- Eligible to apply for LVN licensure on completion
- Workplace skills such as punctuality and safe practice emphasized
Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton County Junior College's licensed vocational nursing program is a twelve-month, full-time certificate with a fall start. Classes meet Monday through Friday and combine classroom teaching with clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics and nursing homes, supported by on-site skills and computer labs. No prerequisites are required to apply, and the program holds full approval from the Texas Board of Nursing. Program materials list about $8,028 in tuition, or roughly $133 per credit.
- Twelve-month, full-time program with a fall start
- No prerequisites required to apply
- Fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
- Clinical rotations at hospitals, clinics and nursing homes
- Skills lab and computer lab on site
- Program materials list $8,028 in tuition, about $133 per credit
- Classes meet Monday through Friday, about 40 hours per week
Licensed Vocational Nursing Program, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Navarro College
Navarro College's licensed vocational nursing certificate is a twelve-month, cohort-based program with a fall start and no prerequisites. It runs at four Texas campuses, Corsicana, Midlothian, Waxahachie and Mexia, which keeps the program within reach for students across the region. Admission is competitive and ranked, and graduates can continue through the college's LVN-to-RN bridge. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.
- Twelve-month certificate with a fall start
- No prerequisites required
- Four campus locations: Corsicana, Midlothian, Waxahachie and Mexia
- Cohort-based, competitive ranked admission
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-PN
- LVN-to-RN bridge pathway
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Licensed Vocational Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland's vocational nursing program is a twelve-month certificate taught in Texas City, with a single spring start each year. Small class sizes and hands-on clinical training are the program's hallmarks, and the college reports a 95% licensure pass rate. Admission requires the HESI A2 with minimum section scores plus prerequisite coursework, and the spring application deadline is the first Friday in October. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.
- Twelve-month certificate
- One spring start per year
- HESI A2 exam with 75% minimum scores
- Prerequisite courses required
- 95% licensure pass rate reported
- Small class sizes for personal instruction
- Spring application deadline: first Friday in October
- Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing
Vocational Nursing Certificate — 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
The ranked list above reflects NCLEX-PN pass rates, but Texas has vocational nursing programs in nearly every region of the state. The directory below gathers additional options in the Panhandle, West Texas, Central Texas, the Coastal Bend, and the Rio Grande Valley, with campus locations and program formats noted so you can see what is within reach.
DFW Metroplex
- Vocational Nursing Program
Central Texas
- Vocational Nursing
- Vocational Nursing
Big Country
- Vocational Nursing
Panhandle
- Vocational Nursing Program
San Antonio Area
- Vocational Nursing
Coastal Bend
- Vocational Nursing Program
Rio Grande Valley
- Vocational Nursing
Permian Basin
- Vocational Nursing Program
El Paso Area
- Vocational Nursing
