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.
Explore Popular Online MSN Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Learn About the Best Nurse Practitioner Programs & Schools in Texas
See our methodology to learn more about how we create our rankings.
#1 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
The University of Texas at Austin
- Austin, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Texas at Austin's nurse practitioner program offers three specializations — family nurse practitioner, primary pediatric nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. Each concentration requires the completion of 48 credit hours divided into core, concentration, advanced practice registered nurse, and specialty courses.
Outside of the specific specialization courses, the program requires all MSN students to complete coursework in healthcare quality and safety, the application of healthcare research, health systems (i.e., policy and evaluation), and leadership development.
The program is offered on campus only and can be completed on a part-time or full-time basis.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Campus: Austin, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $1,418 per credit for in-state residents; $2,035 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN or a non-nursing bachelor's degree and an ADN or nursing diploma; active RN license
- Minimum Time Commitment: 18-24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 90% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $84,650 for master'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 Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Edinburg, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The family nurse practitioner program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley comprises 48-51 credit hours and is offered in both part-time and full-time formats. Full-time students typically complete the program in two years, while part-time students can complete it in three years.
The curriculum comprises 30 credit hours of required courses and 15 hours of practice courses. Required coursework includes theoretical foundations, research, statistics, pathophysiology, health assessment, pharmacology, informatics, health promotion, and rural health nursing.
The university also offers family nurse practitioner and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner post-master's certificate programs.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Edinburg, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $724 per credit for in-state residents; $1,132 per credit four out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active Texas RN license; a score of 900 on the APRN HESI if previous coursework is older than three years
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 93.4% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $106,420 for master'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 Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
Texas A & M University-College Station
- College Station, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The online family nurse practitioner program at Texas A & M University - College Station comprises 48 credit hours and 646 clinical learning hours across six semesters for full-time students or eight semesters for part-time students.
Students must complete 45 clinical hours in advanced health assessment in two separate on-campus visits. They must also come to campus 1-2 times per semester for a diagnostics and procedures course and four primary care courses.
Applicants must live in Texas to be eligible for enrollment.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: College Station, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $8,026 per semester for in-state residents; $17,558 per semester for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; 1-2 years of experience as an RN (preferred)
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 98.2% (2021)
Percent Online Enrollment
33%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#4 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
Texas A & M International University
- Laredo, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Texas A & M International University offers an online and in-person family nurse practitioner program comprising 48 credits of core courses, nursing theory, and practicums, including 675 clinical hours. Typically, students complete two courses per semester (fall, spring, and summer) over three years.
The program includes specialization courses in areas, such as the primary care of adults, geriatrics, and families; primary care of pediatrics and families; and primary care of adults and women's health. Practicum courses focus on advanced health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and clinical procedures, and integrated family care.
The university also offers a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner post-master's certificate program.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Laredo, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $3,686 per semester for in-state residents; $9,572 per semester for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active Texas RN license; minimum 2.7 GPA minimum on previously completed coursework; completion of an undergraduate statistics course; a minimum of one year of inpatient work experience as an RN
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 86.1% (2021)
Percent Online Enrollment
59%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#5 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
University of Houston
- Houston, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The 47-credit family nurse practitioner program at the University of Houston offers an online and on-campus option that students can complete on a full- or part-time basis. The online track requires students to participate in labs, practicums, and clinical courses on or near campus.
The curriculum emphasizes coursework in the following: healthcare informatics, population health, biostatistics, advanced nursing research and integrated evidence based practice.
Those interested in earning their nurse education certification can do so by completing an additional nine credit hours along with their family nurse practitioner coursework.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: Houston, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $619 per credit for in-state residents; $1,127 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active Texas RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA on previously completed coursework; minimum of one year of RN work with a BSN
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 96.9% (2021)
Percent Online Enrollment
96%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#6 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
Texas State University
- San Marcos, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Texas State University's family nurse practitioner program comprises 48 credits and 705 clinical hours that can be completed in five semesters for full-time students and eight semesters for part-time students. Clinicals are a combination of on-campus experiences and time spent with individual preceptors.
While the coursework is offered online, students are also required to attend learning intensives approximately two times per semester at St. David's School of Nursing in Round Rock, Texas.
Outside of core MSN courses, the family nurse practitioner curriculum includes primary care in pediatrics and adolescents; young and middle-aged adults; adult-gerontology; and psychiatric mental health.
- Program(s): Family nurse practitioner
- Campus: San Marcos, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $257 per credit hour for in-state residents; $458 per credit hour for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active Texas RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA in previously completed undergraduate and nursing coursework; completion of an upper-level statistics course
- Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 100% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $104,190 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
93%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#7 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Lubbock, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers nurse practitioner programs in various concentrations, including pediatrics, adult-gerontology, family, and psychiatric mental health. The credit hours needed to complete the programs range from 48-51. Coursework takes place online with approximately 4-6 on-campus visits, depending on the chosen specialty.
Regardless of their specialization, all students complete a core curriculum that focuses on population health essentials for advanced nursing practice; scientific foundations of advanced nursing practice; informatics, quality, and safety; and leadership for healthcare.
- Program(s): Acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Campus: Lubbock, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $265 per credit for in-state residents; $673 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA in previously completed undergraduate coursework; completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and research
- Minimum Time Commitment: 36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 90.2% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $98,940 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
62%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#8 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
The University of Texas at El Paso
- El Paso, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The nurse practitioner programs offered at The University of Texas El Paso include concentrations in neonatal, adult-gerontology, family, pediatrics, and psychiatric mental health. Each specialization requires 49 credit hours and 775 clinical hours, except for the neonatal nurse practitioner concentration, which requires 48 credit hours.
Students can expect to complete their program within 30 months, with the exception of those focusing on acute care pediatrics, which takes 24 months to finish.
Outside of the specialized classes for each concentration, the curriculum includes coursework in nursing theory, advanced pathophysiology, pharmacotherapeutics, research appraisal and application, health policy and advocacy, and advanced health assessment/practicum.
- Program(s): Neonatal nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Campus: El Paso, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $524 per credit for in-state residents; $1,049 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA in previously completed undergraduate coursework; relevant clinical experience in the chosen specialty
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 95.9% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $100,520 for master'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
#9 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
The University of Texas at Arlington
- Arlington, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Texas at Arlington's nurse practitioner program offers concentrations in adult-gerontology, family, pediatric, neonatal, and psychiatric mental health. Each specialization requires 41-46 credit hours and 720 clinical hours.
The adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner programs can be completed either on campus or online. The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner and neonatal nurse practitioner programs are only available on campus.
The school also offers two dual program options. One combines the primary and acute care adult-gerontology specialization and the other combines the primary and acute care pediatric specialization. Both dual programs are only available in an on-campus format.
- Program(s): Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, acute care pediatric nurse practitioner, primary care pediatric nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner
- Campus: Arlington, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $1,318 per credit for in-state residents; $2,260 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA in last 60 hours BSN previously completed undergraduate coursework; at least two years of clinical experience in the chosen specialty
- Minimum Time Commitment: 30-36 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 92.4% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $106,420 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Percent Online Enrollment
55%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
#10 The Best Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
- Galveston, TX
- 4 years
- Online + Campus
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston provides program options for adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner.
Programs comprise 46-49 credit hours, which can be completed within seven semesters. Each track only offers part-time coursework. Students must visit campus for orientation and an additional 2-3 days per semester.
Regardless of their chosen concentration, all students must complete core coursework in the following: foundations of research and theory; pathophysiology; public policy; pharmacological principles and clinical therapeutics; informatics and quality improvement; professional role and business principles; and public health principles.
- Program(s): Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, neonatal nurse practitioner
- Campus: Galveston, Texas
- Type: Public
- Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education; Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- Tuition: $253 per credit for in-state residents; $458 per credit for out-of-state students
- Admission Requirements: BSN; active RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA in previously completed coursework; at least one year of clinical experience in the chosen the specialty
- Minimum Time Commitment: 28 months
- On-Campus Requirements: Yes
- School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate (YEAR): 98.4% (2021)
- Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $103,750 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard
Retention Rate
Not provided
Admission Rate
Not provided
Percent Online Enrollment
27%
Percentage of all students who are enrolled online.
Accreditation
Yes
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Using Our Rankings: What to Look For in a Texas Nurse Practitioner Program
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.
Admission Requirements
One of the first things you want to look at when researching schools is the admission requirements. Make sure that you meet programs' application criteria and have a good chance of being accepted.
Program Tracks and Specializations
Advanced practice nursing is all about specialization. Whether you're interested in becoming a family nurse practitioner or are drawn to adult-gerontology, pediatric, or psychiatric nurse practice, make sure the program offers what you're looking for.
Clinical Experience
Every NP program requires clinical experience, but factors to consider include whether the format, timing, and location work for your schedule, and whether the school will assist you in securing a clinical placement.
Accreditation
Graduating from an accredited NP program is important for several reasons. State licensure and potential employment depends on if you attended an accredited program.
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will not grant board certification if you graduated from an unaccredited program.
Program Length
Make sure that the programs you're interested in offer the number of credits and clinical hours that meet the Texas Board of Nursing requirements for licensure. Also ensure that the time to completion works for your schedule.
School NCLEX Pass Rate
Top programs often list their board certification rates to indicate their success in preparing students for advanced practice nursing. Checking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rate can also offer insight into the nursing school's academic effectiveness.
Why Is Texas Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
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.
Paying for Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
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.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Texas
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.
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Admission Materials
Transcripts from previous academic programs, GRE scores, completion of a college-level statistics course, reference letters, resume or CV, personal statement, proof of clinical hours (MSN-to-DNP)
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Other Requirements
Applicants must either already hold a BSN or be willing to enroll in an RN-MSN program. They must also possess an active RN license.
What Can You Do With a Degree from a Texas Nurse Practitioner Program?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in Texas
How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Texas?
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.
How do I become a nurse practitioner in Texas?
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.
Is becoming a nurse practitioner in Texas worth it?
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%.
What financial aid options are available for NP schools in Texas?
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.