Texas Health Resources runs its corporate headquarters out of Irving, and that single fact says a lot about the city's pull in the regional healthcare economy: hospital systems across Dallas-Fort Worth actively recruit LVNs from this corridor, not just from Dallas proper.
The catch is that Irving itself hosts few LVN programs within city limits. Most seats sit a short drive out in Arlington, Grand Prairie, Fort Worth, and Dallas, all reachable in under thirty minutes, which means comparing LVN programs in Arlington and LVN programs in Fort Worth rarely forces a tradeoff between program quality and commute time.
That proximity changes the calculus for comparing tuition, NCLEX-PN pass rates, and schedule formats side by side.
Why Irving Is a Smart Place to Launch an LVN Career
Irving sits inside one of the largest healthcare labor markets in the country, but rather than take that claim on faith, you can (and should) verify it yourself in about twenty minutes using free public tools. Here is how.
Start With Federal and State Labor Data
The Bureau of Labor Statistics maintains an Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. Search it, filter to Texas or the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area, and review the projected job growth, estimated openings, and LPN/LVN Salary ranges reported there. Because this data updates on its own schedule, pulling it fresh gives you a more current picture than any static summary.
For state-level detail, the Texas Workforce Commission's Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI) system, along with Texas Career Check, break down LVN job counts, top hiring industries, and regional projections by area. Workforce Solutions Greater Dallas also posts current openings and hiring events relevant to Irving and the broader DFW region, which is useful for spotting real-time demand rather than year-old averages.
Research Employers Directly
Major DFW health systems, including Texas Health Resources, Baylor Scott & White, Methodist Health System, Parkland, Medical City, and HCA-affiliated hospitals, post openings on their own career pages. Search each site for "LVN" or "LPN" roles in Irving and across the metro, and set up job alerts so you can track how often these positions recur and where they concentrate.
Use School and Association Resources
Program websites often list job placement rates, clinical partnerships, and advisory board members, all worth comparing against the Best LVN Programs in Texas 2026 list. The Texas Board of Nursing, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, practical nursing associations, and Practical Nursing Resources can round out your picture. When in doubt, a short informational interview with a program advisor or hospital recruiter beats guesswork every time.
LVN Salary and Job Outlook in the Dallas, Fort Worth Metro
LVN compensation in the Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington metro area runs well above both the Texas statewide and national averages, making the region one of the more financially rewarding markets for vocational nurses. According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, the mean annual wage for LVNs in the DFW metro reached roughly $66,110, compared to national mean figures that have historically trailed by several thousand dollars. With approximately 12,590 LVNs employed across the metro, demand remains strong, fueled by the region's expanding hospital systems, long-term care facilities, and outpatient clinics. The DFW metro's moderate cost of living relative to coastal cities means that LVN pay stretches further here than in many comparably sized markets, giving new graduates a solid financial footing from day one.
| Occupation | Area | Employment | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington TX | 12,590 | $66,110 | $61,160 | $64,370 | $72,130 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington TX | 76,680 | $100,820 | $81,640 | $101,420 | $110,630 |
| Nursing Instructor (Postsecondary) | Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington TX | 1,180 | $105,690 | $77,810 | $98,970 | $109,560 |
Are There Online LVN Programs Approved in Texas?
Fully online LVN programs do not exist in Texas. The Texas Board of Nursing requires vocational nursing students to complete clinical hours in person at approved healthcare sites, which rules out any 100% remote pathway to LVN licensure in the state. What you can find, though rarely near Irving, are Hybrid LPN Programs that deliver lecture and theory content online while placing students at local clinical facilities for hands-on training.
What Hybrid Really Means Here
Hybrid LVN programs move the didactic portion (pharmacology, nursing fundamentals, medical-surgical theory) into online or asynchronous formats, then require you to show up in person for skills labs and clinical rotations. In Texas, examples include North Central Texas College and Blinn College District, but neither sits within a reasonable commute of Irving. Among the BON-approved programs closest to Irving, CTK Healthcare & Career Institute, Arlington Career Institute, and Dallas College, one of the LVN programs in Dallas, all currently deliver instruction in traditional on-campus formats. Among the Best LVN Programs in Arlington 2026, Arlington Career Institute does offer both day and night cohorts, which is the most flexibility available locally without switching to a hybrid school farther out.
Verify BON Approval Before You Enroll
Only graduates of programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing can sit for the NCLEX-PN in Texas. That approval status is not permanent, it can change if a program's pass rates drop or compliance issues arise. Before you send a deposit anywhere, especially to a newer school or one marketing online delivery from outside the state, pull up the current BON list of approved vocational nursing programs and confirm the school is on it. If a program cannot point you to its BON approval, walk away.
Related Articles
How Long Is LVN School in Texas?
Most full-time LVN programs in Texas run 12 to 14 months from orientation to graduation. Part-time, evening, or weekend tracks can stretch to 18 to 20 months, while a handful of accelerated programs compress the curriculum into as few as 10 months. Near Irving, Concorde Career College offers a 13-month day track as well as an evening and weekend option, Dallas College runs a 12-month full-time daytime program, and North Central Texas College delivers a 12-month hybrid format with weekend lab and clinical components. Central Texas College in Killeen provides a dedicated 18-month evening and weekend track for students who need maximum scheduling flexibility.
NCLEX-PN Pass Rates for LVN Schools Near Irving
The NCLEX-PN is the licensing exam every LVN candidate must pass before entering practice, so a program's pass rate is one of the most telling indicators of instructional quality. The Texas Board of Nursing publishes pass rate data annually, and the statewide first-time pass rate has hovered around 93 percent in recent years. Below are the available pass rate figures for programs within commuting distance of Irving. Not every program reports data for every year; where a year's figures have not been published, the row is omitted rather than estimated. Programs that consistently fall below the state average may carry a conditional approval status from the Board of Nursing, so prospective students should verify each program's current standing before enrolling.
| Program Name | Year | Candidates | Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Statewide Average | 2023 | 3,433 | 92.92% |
| Texas Statewide Average (Preliminary) | 2023 | N/A | 92.89% |
| Texas Statewide Average | FY 2025 Q1 | N/A | 93.04% |
| Galen College of Nursing, Dallas Campus | 2025 | N/A | 94.64% |
| Grayson College Vocational Nursing Program | 2023 | 31 | 87.10% |
| Temple College Vocational Nursing Program | 2023 | 31 | 90.32% |
| Unnamed Texas VN Program (Conditional Status) | 2023 | 29 | 68.97% |
Admission Requirements for Irving-Area LVN Programs
LVN admission criteria across the Irving area share a common core, but the details, entrance exams, prerequisite coursework, and score thresholds, vary enough that you should verify each school's latest requirements before you apply. Here is a consolidated checklist drawn from programs within roughly 40 miles of Irving.
- High school diploma or GEDEvery program in the area requires proof of high school completion or its equivalent. Some schools, such as Arlington Career Institute, accept applicants as young as 17, while Concorde Career College requires students to be at least 18 before beginning clinical rotations.
- Entrance exam with a qualifying scoreMost programs require the ATI TEAS, though required minimums differ. CTK Healthcare and North Central Texas College list a 58.7 percent composite, Arlington Career Institute has published a 57 percent minimum, and Dallas College sets the bar at 55 percent on all required sections. Concorde Career College uses the Wonderlic (minimum 17) and the HESI A2 rather than the TEAS. Tarrant County College also uses the HESI A2, requiring 75 percent in reading, vocabulary, grammar, anatomy and physiology, and math. Always confirm which exam version a school currently accepts, requirements have shifted at several campuses in recent cycles.
- Prerequisite coursework (community colleges especially)Private career schools such as CTK Healthcare and Arlington Career Institute do not require college-level prerequisites. Community colleges do. Dallas College requires ENGL 1301, BIOL 2401, and PSYC 2301 with a cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5 and an overall college GPA of at least 2.0. Tarrant County College requires BIOL 2401 with a C or better before you can apply, plus PSYC 2301 before the second semester.
- Criminal background check and drug screeningA background check is standard across all programs. Dallas College and Tarrant County College also require post-admission drug screening. Arlington Career Institute requires a Blue Card or Declaratory Order by the first day of class if your history includes certain offenses. Tarrant County College follows a similar Declaratory Order process.
- Immunization records, physical exam, and CPR certificationClinical placement requires up-to-date immunizations (typically including Hepatitis B, MMR, varicella, Tdap, and a TB test), a recent physical exam, and current CPR certification, usually Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. Dallas College additionally requires proof of health insurance. Gather these documents early; delays in clinical clearance can push your start date back.
- Application timelines and waitlist realitiesMost programs fill seats for fall and spring cohorts. Community colleges tend to open applications several months ahead and rank applicants competitively, so early submission matters. CTK Healthcare has indicated a July enrollment window, though this may not apply to every cohort. Private schools often admit on a rolling basis but still cap class sizes. At competitive community college programs, qualified applicants may land on a waitlist, so applying to more than one school is a practical safeguard.
Top LVN Programs Near Irving, Ranked
Below are the top LVN programs serving Irving students, ranked by net price, institutional graduation rates, and graduate outcomes from federal data. All three hold Texas Board of Nursing approval, all sit inside a normal Dallas-Fort Worth commute from Irving, and each takes a noticeably different approach to cost, schedule, and speed.
How we ranked these
- Median graduate debt
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Average net price after aid
- Program cost and length
- Commute and schedule fit
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, retention rates and student-faculty ratios — nces.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Tarrant County College District
Tarrant County College District is a public community college whose vocational nursing certificate runs at Trinity River Campus East in downtown Fort Worth, roughly 30 miles west of Irving along I-30. The program is selective, campus based, and priced at about $5,170 in total program tuition, with a 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate reported for 2023. Institution-wide, the college's average net price after aid is about $4,337 and its graduation rate is 34%; federal data also put median earnings for former students ten years after entry near $42,700, with median graduate debt around $9,100.
- Texas Board of Nursing approved; based at Trinity River Campus East
- $5,170 total program tuition
- 45 total credit hours for the certificate
- 100% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2023
- Selective admission with ranked applicant review
- Level 2 certificate articulates into higher nursing degrees
- Veterans can use VA education benefits
Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Galen Health Institutes-Dallas
Galen College of Nursing runs its Dallas-area campus in Richardson, about 20 miles northeast of Irving, with a campus-based practical/vocational nursing track that finishes in roughly 12 months and admits students four times a year. The college does not report an institution-wide graduation rate in federal data, but it does report an average net price after aid of about $30,998. Federal outcomes data for the institution as a whole show median earnings of about $61,500 ten years after entry and median graduate debt of about $24,200.
- 12-month practical/vocational nursing program
- Four start dates per year
- Free application with no essay required
- On-campus classes with modern clinical learning labs
- Clinical partnerships provide real-world experience
- Academic advisor, faculty advisors and professional tutors
- Transfer credit review may shorten the program
- LVN-to-ADN bridge offered at the same Dallas campus
Practical/Vocational Nursing, Certificate or Diploma — On-Campus
Concorde Career College-Dallas
Concorde Career College's Dallas campus offers a campus-based vocational nursing diploma that takes about 13 months, and students who need a different schedule can use the part-time evening and weekend track at the Grand Prairie location just south and west of Irving. The Dallas campus sits about 17 miles east of Irving, so the two sites give readers a real choice on commute. Institution-wide, Concorde reports a 60% graduation rate and an average net price after aid of about $25,300; federal data show median earnings of about $42,500 ten years after entry, with median graduate debt near $9,500.
- 13-month daytime diploma, 52 semester credits
- 1,319 contact hours across 50 instructional weeks
- 490 hours of hands-on clinical experience
- Evening and weekend part-time track at Grand Prairie
- NCLEX-PN review included in the curriculum
- Texas Board of Nursing approved
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care and home health
- Financial aid and scholarships available
