How I Picked
The nursing school you attend will have a lasting impact on the nurse you become. I still think back to nursing school and some of the professors I encountered and the ways they helped me grow. Rest assured, pretty much any accredited nursing school will give you the tools you need to graduate and pass NCLEX but it is still important to weigh out the different options in order to make the best choice.
When deciding which schools to include on this list, I considered the NCLEX pass rate, cost, and location.
NCLEX® pass rate
The NCLEX pass rate represents the percentage of students who graduated from a given school and passed the NCLEX on their first try. It is important to look at the NCLEX of programs’ pass rate when considering what college to attend for nursing school because it gives you an idea of how prepared the students were who came out of a given program.
Cost
Investing in higher education will pay off in the long run. Most people begin college knowing that they’re going to be shelling out quite a bit of money in order to graduate and enter into the career of their dreams. There is a very wide range of tuition rates when it comes to attending nursing school, so you should consider the cost of the program as well.
You may find that there are great schools for a lower tuition rate that still offer exactly what you need, or you may decide that you’re ready to pay for a higher-cost school because you find that it’s worth it. Either way, you should at least have a general idea of what each school’s yearly tuition looks like before sending out applications.
Location
The town in which your nursing school is located will be your home for four years, so it is essential to consider the location when looking at nursing school options. I included some information about the town in which each school is located to help give you an idea of whether it sounds like a place you’d like to live.
Best Nursing Schools in Texas 2023
Texas A&M University (Texarkana)
- Annual Tuition Estimate: $7,868
- NCLEX® Pass Rate: 100%
- Location: Texarkana
Texas A&M University earns the top spot on this list, boasting a 100% NCLEX pass rate and reasonably affordable tuition. As one of the largest schools in the nation, it still offers an intimate nursing program with small class sizes and multiple program options. They have a traditional BSN program, an RN to BSN program, and graduate nursing programs as well. The town of Texarkana is considered a nice place to live, offering affordable living expenses and safe neighborhoods.
Texas State University
- Annual Tuition Estimate: $11,800
- NCLEX® Pass Rate: 100%
- Location: Round Rock
Another school that boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate is Texas State University. This university is located in Round Rock, Texas which is considered to be one of the best places to live in Texas due to its residential feel and beautiful parks. The high NCLEX pass rate and the affordable tuition makes Texas State University a great option for nursing school. They accept 100 students per year for their traditional BSN program.
University of Houston
- Annual tuition estimate: $15,000
- NCLEX® pass rate: 96.88%
- Location: Houston
The University of Houston is a larger campus, home to over 45,000 students, making it a great option for anyone who wants to be in the atmosphere of a large college. They have a high NCLEX pass rate of over 96%. They offer a traditional BSN program as well as an RN to BSN program and graduate nursing programs. Benefits of living in Houston include great food, diverse culture, and plenty of things to do.
University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Annual tuition estimate: $19,279
- NCLEX® Pass Rate (2020): 96.33%
- Location: San Antonio
The University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio comes at a higher tuition rate but offers a competitive NCLEX pass rate and is considered to be one of the top nursing programs in Texas and the nation. Being located in San Antonio gives students the opportunity to attend clinicals at some of the best hospitals in the nation.
Texas Woman’s University
- Annual tuition estimate: $6,789
- NCLEX® pass rate: 94.1%
- Location: Denton
Texas Woman’s University offers some of the most affordable tuition rates compared to other schools while still providing many of the same benefits that higher-cost schools offer. This college is located in Denton, Texas, which is considereda safe place to live. Texas Woman’s University has three different campuses where students have the option to attend classes and a Center for Global Nursing, which gives nursing students the option to travel throughout the world while honing their nursing education.
Texas Christian University
- Annual tuition Estimate: $53,890
- NCLEX® pass rate: 93%
- Location: Fort Worth
Texas Christian University is a private university located in Fort Worth, Texas. Because this is a private university, the tuition rate is much higher than the other schools on the list. Texas Christian University offers a traditional BSN program and an accelerated BSN program. Fort Worth, Texas is a desirable place to live, offering plenty of work opportunities and affordable housing.
University of Texas at Arlington
- Annual tuition estimate: $12,208
- NCLEX® pass rate: 92.35%
- Location: Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington has a traditional BSN program and a fully online BSN program. The online BSN program still requires in-person clinicals, however. The tuition rates are reasonably affordable, and while the NCLEX pass rate is a bit lower than some of the other options, it is still decent. Arlington, Texas is a suburban area with many coffee shops and parks, making it a nice place to live.
University of Texas at Austin
- Annual tuition estimate: $13,576
- NCLEX® pass rate: 90%
- Location: Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a well-known college with great learning resources and research facilities. Some people consider the University of Texas at Austin to be one of the best nursing schools in Texas. It is worth applying to this program, but it is important to keep in mind that it is highly competitive. Austin is considered a wonderful place to live, offering employment opportunities and great live music.
University of Texas at Tyler
- Annual tuition estimate: $14,788
- NCLEX® pass rate: 81.93%
- Location: Tyler
The next school on the list is another university that is a part of the University of Texas system, but this one is located in Tyler, Texas.
This nursing program allows BSN students to complete their degree on campus or at one of their distance locations in Longview or Palestine. This extra option can be convenient for some people, such as those who are local to Texas and live closer to one of the other locations. They have a traditional BSN program, ADN to BSN program, and RN to BSN program.
Benefits of Going to Nursing School in Texas
If you already live in Texas then you may be looking into what your nursing school options are since you already love where you live. Or, you may be looking to move to Texas since you’ve heard that it is a great place to live. Going to nursing school in Texas offers many benefits.
Firstly, there is a wide range of nursing schools to choose from, providing you with options when applying. It is ideal to have multiple schools you’re interested in since nursing programs can be competitive. Rest assured, there is no shortage of nursing program options in Texas!
In addition, there are plenty of great towns to live in throughout Texas while you’re in nursing school or after you’ve graduated. Texas has a variety of different landscapes, including bigger cities, suburban areas, and rural areas as well. You’re unlikely to get bored while going to nursing school in Texas.
Final Thoughts
If you’re thinking of attending nursing school in Texas, great choice! There are plenty of excellent schools to choose from, some with impressive NCLEX pass rates and even affordable tuition. It’s a smart idea to send applications out to various schools to increase your odds of getting an acceptance letter, but be sure to closely weigh out the different factors when making your final decision on where to attend.
