Phillip EdwinTexas offers a robust and well-regulated landscape for Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN) education, with programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing and accredited by bodies like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
These programs prepare students for the NCLEX-PN exam and entry into the healthcare field, with many public community colleges offering affordable options at approximately $3,300 to $5,500 for in-district tuition. Programs typically take 12 months to complete on a full-time basis and provide a mix of classroom instruction, lab practice, and clinical experience. Below is a list of 25 LVN schools across the state, including community colleges and technical schools.
Top 25 LVN Schools In Texas
1. Dallas College – El Centro Campus (Dallas)
Dallas College offers a Vocational Nursing program at the El Centro Campus in downtown Dallas, providing instruction through classroom, lab, and clinical practice in area healthcare facilities. The program has produced graduates with strong employment outcomes, with 96-100% of graduates working in nursing within six months of graduation in recent years. Estimated total tuition is approximately $4,257, making it an affordable option in the Dallas area.
2. Tarrant County College (TCC) – Trinity River Campus (Fort Worth)
TCC offers a Vocational Nursing Certificate program that can be completed in three consecutive semesters, with approximately 40 students accepted per cohort based on a ranking system. The program boasts a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN exam for 2023, and the approximate in-district tuition cost is $5,500. Students must commit to a full-time schedule, with clinicals scheduled Monday through Friday, including some weekends.
3. Tyler Junior College (TJC) (Tyler)
TJC offers a Vocational Nursing (VN) Certificate program that prepares graduates to provide safe, patient-centered nursing care in structured healthcare settings. The curriculum aligns with Texas Differentiated Essential Competencies for Vocational Nursing, developing the graduate’s roles as a member of the profession, provider of patient-centered care, patient safety advocate, and member of the healthcare team . Successful completion leads to a Certificate of Proficiency and eligibility to seek licensure as a Vocational Nurse.
4. Houston Community College (HCC) (Houston)
Houston Community College offers a Vocational Nursing program at HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences, located in the Texas Medical Center. In May 2025, HCC launched a new LVN to ADN program for licensed vocational nurses seeking to earn their Associate Degree in Nursing in just three semesters, addressing the nursing shortage in the state. The median salary for an RN in Texas was $77,450, about $17,300 more than the median salary of an LVN, according to BLS data.
5. Lee College (Baytown)
Lee College offers a Vocational Nursing program at its Baytown campus, helping candidates obtain a foundational understanding of the field necessary for entry-level careers. According to Nursing Schools Almanac, Lee College has a 90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate, with an average of 72 students graduating per year. The college is a public institution with an undergraduate tuition of approximately $3,012 for in-state students.
6. Alvin Community College (Alvin)
Alvin Community College offers a Traditional VN Program and a Med Aide to VN Bridge Program for students with current Med Aide and Nurse Aide certifications. The Traditional program requires HESI A2 exam scores with a minimum of 70 in Reading Comprehension and a 65 cumulative score, along with proof of prior education and TSI requirements. The program includes three semesters of coursework, with the first semester for bridge students delivered online with in-person lab skills check-offs.
7. Texas State Technical College (TSTC) (Waco)
Texas State Technical College offers a Vocational Nursing program that can be completed in one year, combining classroom learning, simulated practice, and clinical experience to prepare students for the LVN exam. TSTC is known for its hands-on, career-focused approach to technical education across its multiple campuses in Texas.
8. Amarillo College (Amarillo)
Amarillo College offers a Vocational Nursing program with a 90.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 58 students graduating per year. The college is a public institution located in the Texas Panhandle, offering affordable tuition at approximately $1,128 for in-state students. The program provides training for entry-level careers in vocational nursing.
9. San Jacinto Community College (Pasadena)
San Jacinto Community College offers a Vocational Nursing program at its South campus, with a 90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 72 students graduating per year. The college serves the Greater Houston area and offers affordable tuition for in-district students. Students gain practical skills directly related to employment in the nursing field.
10. El Paso Community College – Mission del Paso (El Paso)
El Paso Community College offers a Vocational Nursing program at its Mission del Paso campus, providing training for students in the West Texas region. The program prepares graduates for entry-level positions and the NCLEX-PN exam. EPCC is a public community college with an affordable tuition structure for in-district students.
11. Navarro College (Corsicana)
Navarro College offers a Vocational Nursing program with a 90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 20 students graduating per year. The college is located in Corsicana, serving students in the North Texas region with a focus on quality nursing education and career preparation.
12. Tyler County Hospital School of Vocational Nursing (Woodville)
Tyler County Hospital School of Vocational Nursing offers a program with an 88.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 55 students graduating per year. The school is located in Woodville, Texas, and provides clinical training opportunities within the Tyler County Hospital system, giving students hands-on experience in a real healthcare setting.
13. South Plains College (Levelland)
South Plains College offers a Vocational Nursing program with a 91.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 30 students graduating per year. The college is located in Levelland, serving the South Plains region of Texas with affordable nursing education and strong board exam outcomes.
14. Angelina College (Lufkin)
Angelina College offers a Vocational Nursing program with an average of 19 students graduating per year . Located in Lufkin, this public community college serves the Deep East Texas region, providing accessible nursing training and career preparation.
15. Central Texas College (Killeen)
Central Texas College offers a Traditional Certificate in Vocational Nursing, with an average of 40 students graduating per year and an 88.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Located in Killeen, the college serves the Central Texas region, including the Fort Cavazos military community, with affordable and accessible nursing education.
16. McLennan Community College (Waco)
McLennan Community College offers a Vocational Nursing program with an 88.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 26 students graduating per year . Located in Waco, this public community college provides nursing training for students in the Central Texas region with a focus on quality education and career readiness .
17. Galen College of Nursing – San Antonio (San Antonio)
Galen College of Nursing offers a Vocational Nursing program at its San Antonio campus, with an 87.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 341 students graduating per year. This private institution provides a large-scale nursing program and is known for its career-focused approach, serving a significant number of students in the South Texas region.
18. Frank Phillips College (Borger)
Frank Phillips College offers a Vocational Nursing program with an 88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 17 students graduating per year. Located in Borger, this small public college serves the Texas Panhandle with accessible nursing education.
19. Lamar State College Orange (Orange)
Lamar State College Orange offers a Vocational Nursing program with an 87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 21 students graduating per year. The college is located in Orange, serving the Golden Triangle region of Southeast Texas with nursing education and career preparation.
20. South Texas College (McAllen)
South Texas College offers Vocational Nursing programs serving the Rio Grande Valley region, with multiple entry/exit options, an average of 23 students graduating per year, and a 91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate. The college provides accessible nursing education to the South Texas border region.
21. Southwest Texas Junior College (Uvalde)
Southwest Texas Junior College offers a Vocational Nursing program with an 89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 50 students graduating per year. Located in Uvalde, this public college serves the Southwest Texas region with affordable nursing education.
22. Hill College (Hillsboro)
Hill College offers a Vocational Nursing program with a 91.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 32 students graduating per year. Located in Hillsboro, this public community college serves the North Central Texas region, offering accessible and affordable nursing training with strong NCLEX outcomes.
23. Temple College (Temple)
Temple College offers a Vocational Nursing program with a 92.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate and an average of 64 students graduating per year. Located in Temple, this public community college serves the Central Texas region, providing high-quality nursing education and excellent board exam preparation with one of the top pass rates in the state.
24. Galveston College (Galveston)
Galveston College offers a Vocational Nursing program serving the Gulf Coast region, providing training for entry-level nursing positions. The college offers an affordable option for students in the Galveston area seeking a career in nursing.
25. Victoria College (Victoria)
Victoria College offers a Vocational Nursing program serving the Coastal Bend region of Texas, providing training for students seeking to enter the nursing profession. The college offers accessible nursing education for the Victoria area.
Comparison Table
| No | School Name | City | Approx. First‑Time NCLEX‑PN Pass Rate | Approx. In‑District Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas College – El Centro | Dallas | Recent: 75–100% | ~$4,257 |
| 2 | Tarrant County College | Fort Worth | 100% Just Recently | ~$5,500 |
| 3 | Tyler Junior College | Tyler | 89.4% | Varies |
| 4 | Houston Community College | Houston | N/A | Varies |
| 5 | Lee College | Baytown | 90.3% | ~$3,012 |
| 6 | Alvin Community College | Alvin | N/A | Varies |
| 7 | Texas State Technical College | Waco | N/A | Varies |
| 8 | Amarillo College | Amarillo | 90.6% | ~$1,128 |
| 9 | San Jacinto College | Pasadena | 90.5% | Varies |
| 10 | El Paso Community College | El Paso | N/A | Varies |
| 11 | Navarro College | Corsicana | 90.8% | Varies |
| 12 | Tyler County Hospital SON | Woodville | 88.2% | Varies |
| 13 | South Plains College | Levelland | 91.5% | Varies |
| 14 | Angelina College | Lufkin | N/A | Varies |
| 15 | Central Texas College | Killeen | 88.7% | Varies |
| 16 | McLennan Community College | Waco | 88.9% | Varies |
| 17 | Galen College of Nursing | San Antonio | 87.4% | Varies |
| 18 | Frank Phillips College | Borger | 88.6% | Varies |
| 19 | Lamar State College Orange | Orange | 87.2% | Varies |
| 20 | South Texas College | McAllen | 91.0% | Varies |
| 21 | Southwest Texas Junior College | Uvalde | 89.8% | Varies |
| 22 | Hill College | Hillsboro | 91.5% | Varies |
| 23 | Temple College | Temple | 92.3% | Varies |
| 24 | Galveston College | Galveston | N/A | Varies |
| 25 | Victoria College | Victoria | N/A | Varies |
Success Tips for Choosing an LVN Program
Start by verifying that the program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing, as this is required for licensure eligibility.
Review each program’s NCLEX-PN pass rates, as this is a key indicator of how well graduates are prepared for the licensure exam; Tarrant County College reported a 100% first-time pass rate in 2023, while Temple College has a strong 92.3% pass rate .
Consider the cost difference between public community colleges and private institutions; public colleges like Amarillo College and Dallas College offer affordable tuition, while private schools may be more expensive.
Evaluate the program format and schedule, as LVN programs require full-time commitment and often include daytime courses, lab work, and clinical experiences that may extend to weekends.
Check if the school offers LVN-to-ADN bridge programs, like Houston Community College’s program, which allows LVNs to advance to RN status in three semesters.
Finally, be aware of criminal background check requirements and ensure eligibility for licensure, as Texas House Bill 1508 requires this notice for all occupational license programs .
Closing
Texas provides a comprehensive and accessible LVN education landscape, with programs offered at community colleges, technical schools, and hospital-based programs across the state. The state’s public community colleges offer some of the most affordable options, with Tarrant County College and Dallas College providing programs for approximately $3,300 to $5,500 for in-district students . For those seeking strong NCLEX outcomes, schools like Tarrant County College, Temple College, and Hill College report first-time pass rates above 90%.
Whether you are beginning your nursing career or seeking advancement through LVN-to-ADN bridge programs, Texas offers LVN schools to meet your needs. Note that all information, including tuition and NCLEX pass rates, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each school and through the Texas Board of Nursing.