The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas

Choosing to become an NP in Texas through an online program provides registered nurses (RN) the flexibility to learn on their own time for a lower price tag. Upon completion, graduates may benefit from a higher earning potential and more professional opportunities.

You can find all the information you need about Texas nurse practitioner programs on this page. You’ll also find guidance on what to look for in a Texas NP program, application procedures, ways to pay for your degree, and careers you can pursue post-graduation.

If you’re ready to learn about advancing your nursing credentials and employment opportunities, explore our rankings to learn more.

We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best nurse practitioner programs in Texas, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including: Academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.

Researching Texas NP programs can feel overwhelming. Focusing on specific metrics may help narrow your choices. These metrics include admission requirements like minimum GPAs and test scores, specialization areas and clinical rotation formats, school and programmatic accreditation, program time lengths, and board certification pass rates.

When selecting a program in Texas, verify that the institution is appropriately accredited. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) validate that a program meets the highest of standards. Without confirming the quality of the program, the ACEN and CCNE will not provide an institution with accreditation.

Earning a degree from an accredited program has its benefits. Exclusive programs often accept credits only from other accredited programs, making it difficult for students from unaccredited programs to transfer in.

Institutions are more likely to accept degrees from accredited programs as a prerequisite for graduate program admittance. Accredited degrees can also lead to more lucrative employment positions along with a higher earning potential.

Most students need assistance paying for their NP programs. Your need for financial assistance may depend on the cost and length of the program, whether you’re a Texas state resident, or whether you can continue working while you study. There are many resources to help.

Financial aid sources include public and private loans, grants and scholarships, and loan repayment or forgiveness programs. Scholarships are available for specific schools, community affiliations, and specialty areas.

Government loan repayment programs cover the cost of a percentage or dollar amount toward the outstanding debt in exchange for service within their agency. Many major private employers may also offer loan forgiveness, tuition remission, or tuition reimbursement for RNs who pursue APRN careers.

After deciding to apply to an online NP program in Texas, prospective students must determine enrollment prerequisites. While specific prerequisites may vary from one institution to the next, many programs want their applicants to fulfill certain general requirements.

Texas nurse practitioner programs award either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), which often take about two years to finish.

Currently, an MSN is the minimum degree required to become an NP, but, in anticipation of a change to a DNP as the minimum degree, programs increasingly offer NP doctorates.

Graduates apply for board certification in their specific specialty, where they must sit for and pass a national certification exam. Popular specializations include acute care, adult-gerontology, family, neonatal, pediatric, and psychiatric-mental health.

Graduates can then apply for their advanced practice registered nursing licenses from the Texas Board of Nursing.

According to the BLS, the average annual NP salary in Texas is $117,890. The highest-paying metro areas are Wichita Falls and Midland, where NP wages average more than $125,000 per year.

Employment growth rate projection is also high in Texas, at 66% for 2020-2030, making the Lone Star state the 5th fastest-growing state for NPs.

An MSN program averages two years. You will first need to earn your undergraduate nursing degree to become a registered nurse. An associate degree in nursing (ADN) program often takes two years, and a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) spans four years. Most NPs can expect to spend at least six years in nursing school.

To become an NP in Texas, the typical path includes earning a BSN, becoming a licensed RN after passing the NCLEX, enrolling in an MSN program, and passing the national certification exam in their chosen specialties. Students who decide to earn their ADN first can either go back to school for their BSN or enroll in an RN-MSN program, which allows them to earn both degrees simultaneously.

Job opportunities, career advancement, and salaries increase significantly between RNs and NPs. The median salary for Texas RNs is $77,320, while NPs earn $121,010. Projections Central lists the 2020-2030 projected employment growth rate for Texas RNs at 17% and the NP rate at 66%.

Texas NP students can access financial aid resources that include loans, grants and scholarships, work-study, loan repayment and forgiveness programs, and employer reimbursements. These funding options may be need-based, academically based, or in exchange for service within a government agency, underrepresented community, or rural area.

Page last reviewed: November 7, 2022. Note: The ranking list and school descriptions on this page were created and reviewed independently by our Rankings Team.