Earning a bachelor's in nursing degree (BSN) can be a quick career boost for a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). A Texas LVN-to-BSN degree can lead to more money, greater responsibility, and a new nursing title: registered nurse (RN). A BSN also offers a direct pathway to earning a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree if you decide to pursue a career as an advanced practice registered nurse.
Take the first step to become an RN by exploring the best LVN-to-BSN in Texas programs on this page and learn what you need to apply.
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the best Texas LVN-to-BSN programs, 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.
How Do Texas LVN-to-BSN Programs Work?
Texas LVN-to-BSN degree programs acknowledge past nursing experience and provide advanced placement credits that let you graduate quicker. Nursing schools offer fully online BSN degrees, hybrid degrees, or on-campus programs.
Courses cover health assessments, pharmacology, nursing theories and research, leadership and management, and ethical and legal issues. Lessons may function asynchronously with no scheduled class times, or synchronously where you meet online or in person.
Regardless of the format, you must complete the practicum experiences in person. Texas requires that RNs complete 500 clinical hours under direct supervision.
Texas LVN-to-BSN programs take about two years to complete.
Featured Online RN-to-BSN in Nursing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Applying to a Texas LVN-to-BSN Program
Most Texas LVN-to-BSN programs share similar admission criteria. For instance, you need at least a valid LVN license to enter a program. All applicants must complete an online application and submit a fee, if applicable. Other requirements vary.
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Admission Materials
Most Texas LVN-to-BSN degrees require incoming students to have at least 60 transferable credits after completing an accredited program. They may also need to complete a pre-nursing entrance exam. Finally, nursing programs require the completion of prerequisites, such as human anatomy, statistics, and developmental psychology.
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GPA Requirement
Typically, nursing programs want incoming students to have at least a 3.0 GPA. Candidates need to submit official transcripts.
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Other Requirement
Because you will need to complete clinical rotations, you must pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
Why Is Texas LVN-to-BSN Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation matters in all industries, but particularly in nursing, where patients could suffer if a nurse does not receive quality education and training.
What exactly is accreditation? Independent agencies, such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, recognize nursing programs that meet academic and industry standards. This demonstration of program quality allows students to transfer credits toward a higher degree, qualify for certifications, and find future employment.
All LVN-to-BSN programs included on this page are accredited —not to be confused with state board approval, which simply allows a nursing program to function.
Learn More About the Best Texas LVN-to-BSN Programs and Schools
See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
#1 The Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in Texas 2023
The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
At the University of Texas at Austin, students can transfer into the bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program with up to 24 credits.
The pursuit of a BSN degree requires completing 125-126 credits. The curriculum focuses on building an evidence-based, interprofessional collaborative, and patient-centered nursing practice.
UT Austin's BSN program offers clinical practice at local hospitals and community settings. The practicum experience includes lab training in adult health nursing and clinical care.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Austin
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $1,811 per credit for Texas residents; $6,523 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: At least 24 transferable credits; complete biology, chemistry, and statistics courses; two essays; college and/or high school transcripts; resume; one letter of recommendation
- Minimum Time Commitment: 42 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021): 90% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $64,593 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
92%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#2 The Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in Texas 2023
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Texas in Rio Grande Valley's School of Nursing offers seven programs, including three pathways for bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degrees. Students can apply for the direct-entry BSN program, a second-degree BSN for non-nursing degree-holders, or an RN-to-BSN program.
Registered nurses who hold an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a diploma, can earn a BSN fully online in one year. UTRGV's core nursing courses cover client assessments, professional mobility, issues in nursing, pharmacology, community health, pathophysiology, leadership in nursing, and research. Lessons emphasize a culturally diverse nursing practice. Enrollees can choose from a part- or full-time program.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Edinburg
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $667 per credit for Texas residents; $1,075 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing from an accredited program; current RN license; minimum 2.5 GPA; completed general education credits; criminal background check
- Minimum Time Commitment: 48 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021): 93.42% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $61,334 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
97%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#3 The Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in Texas 2023
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Enrollees can earn a bachelor's in nursing degree fully online in 12 months at the Texas A & M International University's College of Nursing and Health Sciences, which began offering RN-to-BSN degrees in 1995.
The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program requires 120 credits, including 53 nursing core courses. With an RN license, learners can graduate in half the time.
Students must complete lessons on health assessments, pharmacology, adult health nursing, childbearing and women's health, psychology and mental health nursing, child health nursing, nursing research, and leadership and management.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Laredo
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- Tuition: $616 per credit for Texas residents; $1,559 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing from an accredited program; current RN license in Texas; minimum 2.5 GPA; official transcripts
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021): 86.14% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $64,990 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 The Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in Texas 2023
Arizona College-Dallas
- Dallas, TX
- 4 years
- Campus
Training healthcare professionals since 1991, Arizona College offers a bachelor of nursing degree that allows learners to graduate in three years or less with prior transferable college credits.
General education courses take place in the evenings, making earning a degree easier for working nurses. The classroom and lab learning cover human pathophysiology, human nutrition, critical thinking in clinical decision-making, pharmacology, evidence-based practice, and NCLEX preparation. The practicums focus on community health nursing and maternal health theory and application.
New students start eight times a year.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Dallas
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $779 per credit
- Admission Requirements: High school or college minimum 2.75 GPA; admission assessment minimum score of 60
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021): 92.86% first-time pass rate
Out-of-state
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
Not provided
#5 The Best LVN-to-BSN Programs in Texas 2023
University of Houston
- Houston, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Houston's bachelor of science nursing (BSN) degree offers face-to-face learning and advanced standing for associate in nursing degree- or diploma-holders.
Learners receive 33 credits for a completed associate or diploma in nursing program. UH's core nursing coursework explores professional role development, health assessments, pathophysiology, leadership and management, nursing research, policy and ethics, community health nursing, and informatics.
The Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing also offers a second-degree BSN for those who hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree, and a traditional BSN program.
- Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
- Campus: Houston
- Type: Public
- Accreditations: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: $484 per credit for Texas residents; $992 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: Associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing from an accredited program; current RN license in Texas; minimum 2.5 GPA; completed general education credits and prerequisites
- Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (2020/2021): 96.88% first-time pass rate
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $68,858 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas LVN-to-BSN Programs
How long does it take to go from LVN to RN in Texas?
LVN-to-RN Texas programs offer a faster pathway to a BSN degree. Programs generally comprise 113-129 credits. The duration of a program depends on the pace and whether you study full or part time, with degrees taking about 18-24 months to complete.
Can an LVN-to-BSN program be completed online in Texas?
Yes, you can complete a Texas LVN-to-BSN degree completely online. You may need to meet online weekly at a specific time for lectures and discussions, or you may complete self-paced coursework on your own time. However, the clinical practicum experience must take place in person within a healthcare setting.
Is it worth it for an LVN to get a BSN?
Yes. With around 217,630 RNs working in the state, Texas ranks second for states with the highest employment level for RNs. Earning a BSN can be professionally fulfilling and lead to a higher salary. RNs in Texas made an average annual income of $79,120 as of 2021, or $38.04 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 90% of RNs in Texas earn $99,070. Nationally, RNs make a mean annual salary of $82,750.
What can I do with a BSN in Texas?
Most RNs work in hospitals, physician offices, home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing care facilities. Nationwide, about 1.7 million RNs work in hospitals, according to the BLS. With a BSN in Texas, you can work in some of the top-paying cities like Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, or Killeen. A BSN also sets the foundation to earn an MSN degree.
