Best LPN/LVN Programs in The Southwest Region
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
How Many Schools from the Southwest Region were Evaluated for our Rankings?
We evaluated a total of 268 schools offering nursing programs in the Southwest.
Ranking Methodology: How were the Best LPN/LVN Programs in the Southwest Region Ranked?
To come up with the list of best LPN/LVN programs in the Southwest, we looked into more than 268 nursing schools in the region and ranked them based on four important factors - NCLEX-PN pass rates, academic quality, the nursing school’s reputation, and affordability. Following is the weightage we assigned to each of these factors.
1. NCLEX-PN Pass Rates (2019-2022): 60%
• 2019 Pass Rates: 10%
• 2020 Pass Rates: 20%
• 2021 Pass Rates: 30%
• 2022 Pass Rates: 40%
2. Academic Quality: 20%
3. The Nursing School's Reputation: 10%
4. Affordability: 10%
15 Best LPN/LVN Programs in The Southwest Region for 2025
Alvin Community College has specially designed a Quality Enhancement plan that focuses on success engaged advising, supporting you in choosing the right education path, and ensuring that you get through that path effortlessly. Located in Brazoria County, the college is stationed close to several major transportation corridors making it easily accessible to students coming from different parts of the state. Its 44-credit LVN program starts in June each year and allows you to graduate in just a year. The curriculum comprises courses in vocational nursing, neonatal nursing, mental health & illness, pharmacology, gerontology, leadership, and medical-surgical nursing.
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First started as an offering in 1956 Texarkana College’s vocational nursing program is one of the oldest LVN programs in the Southwest region, and holds a high reputation in the community. Upon enrolling in this certificate degree, you will study in its lush green 90-acre campus that comprises of an enormous 2-acre nature reserve. Its LVN curriculum prepares you to take up entry-level positions in various settings by providing you with in-depth training in foundations of nursing, applied nursing skills, and nursing in health & illness. You will also learn the fundamentals of leadership & professional development, maternal-neonatal nursing, and pediatrics.
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Lone Star College believes in and supports the cultural diversity of its students and is home to the country’s largest Hispanic student population. Its student-invested faculty is committed to providing dynamic training and encourages student accountability that ultimately leads to academic success. Its practical nurse training of one year comprises of courses in pharmacology, pediatrics, nursing in health & illness, and gerontology. You complete this 48-credit program on a full-time basis after which you will be eligible to take the PN licensure exam.
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Cochise College has been acknowledged nationally for its affordable LPN education, return on investment and impressive success rate of its students on the NCLEX-PN. Due to its partnerships with several local and national organizations, you will get the opportunity to participate in several co-op activities and internships. With average class strength of just 12 students, you will be gaining a one-on-one learning experience. Its LPN curriculum is of 32 credits and entails several courses in medical terminology, CPR & First Aid, medical math, pharmacology, and practical nursing.
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Victoria College offers a 12-month long vocational nursing program at its main campus in Victoria. This campus is just a few hours away from San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and Corpus Christi, making it easily accessible to students coming from various locations. The program requires you to complete a total of 41 credits in various courses such as nutrition, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology pediatric nursing, maternal-neonatal nursing, leadership & professional development, and mental illness. Apart from these theoretical courses, you will gain actual hands-on experience in various laboratory activities.
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Practical nursing can be a lucrative field for aspiring students who are compassionate and enjoy helping others with their medical needs. The college’s nurse graduates are much in demand with local employers. This is because the college focuses on providing you with updated knowledge and marketable nursing skills in recently renovated modern classrooms. Through its Resource Center, you will gain the required on-field skills in a clinic-like environment. Here part of the coursework is delivered through an online platform allowing you to study from any location.
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As a practical nurse, you are required to deliver safe patient care within the legal parameters and policies of your healthcare organization. To pursue this short yet dynamic program you can join St Philip’s College’s vocational nursing program. Here you are required to dedicate around 40 hours per week to graduate in 12 months or three semesters. Upon enrolling you will not only gain complete knowledge in nutrition, gerontology, communication skills, and administration of medications but also receive sufficient lab and clinical experience in healthcare facilities in San Antonio and its neighboring areas.
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If you are looking for the best LVN programs in the southwest, then you wouldn’t want to miss out on Trinity Valley Community College’s vocational nurse training. The program begins in August and takes 12 months to complete. Upon enrolling you will study courses in lifespan growth & development, pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, vocational nursing concepts, maternal-neonatal nursing, pediatrics, and nursing in health & illness. The program also consists of three clinicals providing you with the practical knowledge you need.
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If you are looking for practical nurse training that is clinically intensive and at the same time provides you with the required one-on-one theoretical training, then Laredo College’s vocational nursing program could be the right choice for you. Here you will gain the required hands-on training through practical learning in nursing fundamentals, maternity or pediatric nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and psychiatric care. Here didactic classes are based on mathematics, basic human anatomy & physiology, lifecycle, growth & development, legal & ethical aspects of nursing practice, and vocational adjustments. You can graduate from this program by completing a total of 38 credits.
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Temple College was established in 1926 and is well recognized in the country for its student-friendly, economical and top-quality courses that are delivered by its qualified instructors. The college is also known for its LVN graduates passing the NCLEX-PN exam with impressive pass rates. The program focuses on utilizing diverse medical settings to offer you varied clinical experiences. These experiences not only include hospital-based practicums but also those in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, community health centers, and outpatient clinics.
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A nursing career can open doors to a stable income and job security in the rapidly growing healthcare industry. Being counted among the best LVN programs in the Southwest, Hill College has become one of the leading schools in the region by providing engaging learning experiences and impactful hands-on training. Its vocational curriculum is a one-year long program of 47-48 credits. The college also has an online career center, where several employers will notify you about any openings in their organization. Through this platform, you can seamlessly find full-time and part-time jobs and internship opportunities.
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Stationed in Lufkin, Angelina College provides you the perfect balance of rural and suburban life with its beautiful lakes, rivers, and forests as well as hospitals and local businesses located at a stone's throw away. Its LVN program commences in the spring semester where you will be trained in several liberal arts and nursing courses worth 45 credits. Some of these include medical/surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, foundations of nursing, dosage calculations, pharmacology, mental illness, and professional development.
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With an average class size of around 18, Dona Ana Community College focuses on creating a personalized student-teacher relationship through its small-sized classrooms. Here you can also benefit from financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make your education affordable. It's LPN curriculum aims at creating a robust foundation in pharmacology, techniques, fundamentals of nursing, care of the geriatric patient, adult health, and mental health nursing. By completing a few more additional courses you can also earn an associate degree in nursing if you wish to go in that direction.
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At New Mexico State University Carlsbad for the last three years, 100% of its LPN graduates have successfully found employment. The college also has a no waitlist policy, making your admission process rather easy. However, to be eligible for this program you are required to have a minimum GPA of 2.75 in a few pre-requisite courses. After enrolling you will learn general principles of pharmacology, concepts of professional nursing practice, pathophysiology, nursing care of a geriatric patient, and common health deviations.
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Upon gaining experience as a licensed practical nurse, you can take up roles of supervising other vocational nurses, nursing assistants, and medical aides. Kiamichi Technology Center believes in the core values of educational & instructional excellence, community involvement, and personal & professional respect, allowing you to graduate with vital job skills that you need to excel in today’s competitive healthcare industry. Its fast-paced LPN program comprises 1508 hours of training where you will be taking up a minimum of 20 hours of clinical training time every week. Upon joining you have the flexibility to enroll in its full-time and part-time daytime schedule or the part-time evening schedule based on your preference.