Best LVN Programs in Houston 2026

College of the Mainland's Vocational Nursing program is a 12-month, campus-based route to LVN licensure. The curriculum combines classroom theory with clinical experience, covering anatomy, nursing fundamentals, medication administration, and critical thinking. Applicants must pass the HESI A2 entrance exam with a minimum score of 75%, and the program starts in the spring with a single annual intake. Small class sizes allow for personalized instruction and mentorship, while hands-on training is emphasized throughout. Graduates are fully prepared for the NCLEX-PN, and the program boasts a 95% licensure pass rate. Approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, it offers financial aid and scholarships, making it an affordable option for entry-level nursing careers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: HESI
• 12-Month program
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts spring
• 95% licensure pass rate
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available

Alvin Community College's LVN certificate is an intensive one-year pathway, encompassing 44 credits of immersive training across classroom theory, skills labs, and clinical placements in area hospitals and nursing facilities. Students master medication administration, pharmacology, maternal-neonatal nursing, surgical care, and pediatrics to perform essential patient care under the direction of registered nurses or physicians. The Texas Board of Nursing-approved curriculum culminates in NCLEX-PN eligibility, with HESI prep workshops embedded to support exam success. This affordable program—priced at $7,100 including books and supplies—welcomes a single summer cohort each year, and financial aid is available. With over 40 years of nursing education, ACC prepares graduates for diverse settings, and Houston-area LVNs earn a median annual wage of $54,840.

• Texas Board of Nursing accredited
• $7,100 total program tuition
• 1-Year program
• Complete in one year
• 44 total credit hours
• 1 start dates per year
• Starts summer
• $54,840 median earnings
• mean annual wage for LVNs in the Woodlands/Houston/Sugar Land area is $54,840
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN

San Jacinto Community College’s Vocational Nursing Level 2 Certificate is a one-year, 45-credit program blending classroom theory, lab practice, and 448 hours of supervised clinical experience. The curriculum spans foundational and advanced nursing skills, pharmacology, maternal-neonatal care, pediatrics, and mental health nursing, culminating in a capstone NCLEX-PN review. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN and pursue entry-level LVN roles in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. This Texas Board of Nursing–accredited program offers open admission, multiple campus locations, and a clear pathway to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Prerequisites, background checks, and clinical placements are required, making it a solid stepping stone for advancing in nursing.

• Texas Board of Nursing accredited
• 1-Year program
• 45 total credit hours
• 448 clinical hours
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• Prepares for NCLEX-PN
• Stackable to AAS degree
• Includes clinical experiences
• Open admission institution

At Galen College of Nursing's Houston campus, the Vocational Nursing (VN) program delivers a direct pathway to LVN licensure in just 12 months of full-time study. The curriculum emphasizes nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and immersive clinical rotations across diverse healthcare settings. Notably, no prerequisites are required, making it accessible for career changers. The program integrates NCLEX-PN preparation and career services, while simulated learning labs and experienced faculty support student success. Admissions require a high school diploma or equivalent and a TEAS entrance assessment. Financial aid is available via FAFSA, and the program offers an affordable entry into nursing with a bridge option to ADN or BSN programs. Four start dates annually and free applications add convenience.

• 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.

The Vocational Nursing Certificate at The College of Health Care Professions–Southwest Houston is an intensive 48-week, 55-credit program structured over three 16-week semesters. Combining classroom theory, hands-on lab practice, and clinical rotations, the curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, maternal health, and mental health. Students develop skills in patient assessments, medication administration, and wound care, then apply them in hospitals and long-term care settings. A senior capstone and NCLEX-PN preparation course are included, along with 558 lecture hours, 192 lab hours, and 672 clinical hours. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam. Graduates earn a certificate and qualify for LVN licensure, with financial aid and scholarships 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