10 Best Accredited BSN Programs in Texas – 2025

Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

A BSN, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Texas, is the traditional four-year baccalaureate degree that provides aspiring registered nurses with the education required to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. BSN programs are designed to prepare you for your career as an RN through classroom and clinical experience, give you the skills and knowledge you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, and provide you with a solid foundation for furthering your education should you choose to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree in the future. To provide you with a head start and make it easier for you to find the right program for your needs, we have ranked 43 different BSN programs in Texas to provide a list of the top 10.

RECOMMENDED ONLINE RN TO BSN PROGRAMS

Why BSN is the Most Preferred Nursing Program for RNs in Texas?

Texas Annual Salary	BSN	ADN	Difference
	$86,340	$75,230	+$11,110
(Source: Compiled using data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Per a report released by the Texas Board of Nursing in June 2018, more RNs across the state have BSN degrees than ASN degrees. This number represents the Institute of Medicine’s push to have 80% of all RNs across the country educated at the BSN level by 2020 to provide better patient care nationwide. As a result of this, employers offer significant advantages to BSN-educated RNs, including not only more job opportunities, but also a higher salary. ADN-educated RNs across Texas earn an average of $75,230 annually while those who have BSN degrees earn $86,340 – an average of $11,110 more a year.

Typical Texas BSN Program Information

Program Length:Traditional pre-licensure BSN programs take four years to complete. Many schools offer fast track programs for those who excel academically, too.

Program Cost: The costs associated with obtaining your BSN in the state of Texas will vary significantly based on the type of school you choose. More competitive and prestigious schools have higher tuitions than their less competitive counterparts, as well. For the most affordable education, you can choose a public nursing school and pay anywhere from $26,323 to $52,803 in total. If you prefer a private university or college, on the other hand, costs range from $62,403 to $183,532.

Item	Type of Nursing School
	Public	Private
Tuition & Fees	$22,470 - $43,553	$58,550 - $174,282
Books & Supplies	$3,853 - $9,250	$3,853 - $9,250
Total Cost	$26,323 - $52,803	$62,403 - $183,532

(Source: In-House Research)

Coursework: The coursework you will complete during your BSN program consists of general education and core nursing courses. Your general education may last anywhere from a full year to a full two years or anything in between, and core nursing courses will make up the remainder of the program. A handful of nursing schools in TX teach general education and nursing courses concurrently after the first semester, as well.


Clinical Training: The Texas Board of Nursing has no set clinical instruction requirements, but it does recommend that students participate in three hours of clinicals per every hour of classroom learning – something that the top BSN programs in this state will adhere to. As a result, you can expect to participate in anywhere from 750 to 1000 hours or more of hands-on clinical training under the direct supervision of licensed medical staff in hospitals, clinics, and other institutions partnered with your school of choice.

Admission Requirements: Different schools in Texas have different admission requirements when it comes to their BSN programs, and the most competitive schools typically have the most stringent requirements. As an example, in order to gain admission to the BSN program at the St. David School of Nursing at Texas State University, you must:

• Have a 2.90 minimum GPA (the school recommends 3.0 to remain competitive);
• Show a minimum 3.0 GPA on all prerequisite science courses;
• Meet minimum scores on the Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS:
o Reading – 80%
o Math – 71%
o Science – 68%
o English 70%
• Successfully pass two criminal background checks and a drug screen.

Why NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Matters When Selecting a BSN Program in Texas?

Before you can work as an RN in Texas, you must first pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination, which measures your skills and abilities. BSN programs in TX exist to prepare you for this exam. As such, each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate serves as a solid measurement of the program’s ability to prepare its students for their careers. Over the last several years, schools in Texas have gained solid ground, and most now boast pass rates that are well above the national average.

BSN Graduates NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Year	Texas		National
	Taken	% Passed	Taken	% Passed
2013	4,826	84.96%	65,402	85.18%
2014	5,275	86.27%	68,166	84.94%
2015	5,334	88.21%	70,889	87.48%
2016	5,692	89.97%	72,668	87.80%
2017	6,063	92.58%	75,977	90.05%
2018	6,507	93.94%	79,233	91.58%
2019	6,727	94.40%	84,282	91.24%
2020	7,500	93.24%	88,635	90.28%
2021	7,527	89.32%	94,305	86.07%
(Source: NCSBN)

WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN PROGRAMS IN TEXAS (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best BSN programs in Texas (Online & Campus).

1) Texas State University - St. David School of Nursing, Round Rock

The Texas State University St. David School of Nursing offers one of the most prestigious traditional four-year BSN degrees in the state. Though the School of Nursing is located in Round Rock, the prerequisites for the BSN nursing program are not. Texas State University recommends taking these courses at their San Marcos campus or another high-quality school.

You may apply for acceptance to the BSN program from October 1 through January 15, but your application will only be considered if you have been admitted to Texas State University for the fall semester during which you plan to start your program. The BSN program at St. David School of Nursing is highly competitive, as well; only 100 students are admitted each year. You will attend two semesters each year for four years with the exception of your junior year. During your third year, you will also participate in a short summer term comprised of six semester hours of instruction.

You must complete 120 semester credit hours to graduate with your BSN, and these will consist of a mix of classroom lectures, simulated hands-on training, and clinical training in a variety of clinical settings throughout the region. Upon completion of the program, you will not only be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, but you will also have a solid educational foundation that will allow you to pursue a master’s or doctorate degree in nursing.

2) University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston

The University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston campus offers a traditional BSN degree that was designed to prepare you for a lifelong career as an RN in Texas. The curriculum is flexible enough to give you the training you need to work in a number of settings, including home health, hospitals, and even clinics. During your time at UTMB, you can expect evidence-based learning as well as outstanding clinicals throughout both Galveston and Houston.

Class sizes at UTMB are very small, and you can expect highly competitive admission, as well. As a result, those who excel academically are among the first considered for the program. The UTMB School of Nursing’s BSN course lasts for four consecutive semesters spread out over a course of 16 months, and students must ensure that the first two years of courses (prerequisites in pre-nursing and general education) were completed at an accredited college.

Your clinicals begin in the first semester and continue throughout the rest of the program at a variety of institutions. UTMB School of Nursing is one of few upper-level nursing programs that admits students in the fall, summer, and spring of each year, as well.

3) University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio

University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) offers a traditional BSN track through its Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professionals. UIW provides a faith-based learning environment as well as access to numerous student organizations. Graduates of UIW’s traditional BSN program enjoy gainful employment around the world in a variety of facilities, including not only hospitals, but also parish ministries and even in the military.

UIW’s requirements for graduation include a minimum of 120 completed hours which include a total of 36 hours of upper level courses, 45 hours of residency, and at least 45 clock hours of community service, which is an important part of life and ministry at University of the Incarnate Word. These hours are spread over four years and take place in fall and spring semesters

Though students may take both their general education/pre-nursing and professional nursing courses through UIW, it is vital that you work hard to maintain certain standards throughout the program. Failing to maintain at least a minimum C letter grade may prevent you from enrolling in the next semester’s courses. UIW provides numerous academic and professional resources, including access to the Texas Nursing Students Association and the AfterCollege Job Resource Center, among others.

4) Texas Christian University, Ft Worth

Texas Christian University at Fort Worth offers both a traditional and accelerated BSN track through its Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences section. Both options require the same number of semester hours – 124 – but the accelerated track’s course schedule has been arranged to allow for completion in as little as 16 months spread over four consecutive semesters, including a summer semester. For the traditional track, you will take courses during traditional spring and fall terms, instead, but Texas Christian University recommends finishing out your non-nursing courses in the summer term before your junior year.

If you choose to enroll in the BSN program here, you will also have access to the Interdisciplinary Healthy Aging minor, which could serve you well in a variety of different careers. You will need to take 18 total hours of coursework to be eligible for the minor, including three required courses and three electives. You may also have the opportunity to become one of the Harris Associates, which is a group of students promoting the college through leadership activities.

TCU also allows for multiple majors for students who receive approval from academic deans, but nursing must be declared as the first major, and all requirements for both majors must be completed. TCU students will also have access to the Health Professions Learning Center in the Annie Richardson Bass Building, which is ideal for individual and small-group learning in a simulated laboratory environment.

5) West Texas A&M University, Canyon

West Texas A&M University, located in Canyon, offers a traditional four-year BSN program that consists of two years of general education and pre-nursing curriculum followed by another two years of upper division nursing courses. You may complete the first two years of classes at West Texas A&M or any other accredited school of your choice as long as you take the required prerequisites.

Much like the Texas A&M HSC School of Nursing, West Texas A&M’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is competitive and therefore selective. To enroll in this BSN program, you must first be formally accepted into West Texas A&M, even if you completed your general education courses elsewhere. This is also one of the few schools that requires you to take the HESI A2 examination prior to admission into the nursing program.

West Texas A&M University employs a self-directed learning technique in which you must identify your goals, plan your experiences and continuously measure your own progress throughout the program. The program focuses on several core competencies, including caring, therapeutic nursing intervention, communication, critical thinking, leadership, and professionalism.

6) University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston’s Cizik School of Nursing offers numerous tracks that lead to a BSN. UTHSC graduates are among some of the most employable in the state, which could give you an exciting advantage. The school focuses not only on developing outstanding registered nurses who can provide quality patient care, but also on leadership and management, which is a great foundation for an MSN or doctorate degree if you choose to pursue it.

The Pacesetter BSN program is the standard track at UTHSC, and you can complete in 15 months over the course of four semesters. The school offers a mix of nursing courses in classroom settings, simulations in skills labs, and clinical rotations to give you the hands-on experience you need to provide outstanding patient care your very first day on the job. In fact, the “Pacesetters” at UTHSC are more job-ready when they graduate than students who attend other schools.

If you are exceptionally talented academically, you may choose to pursue the Honors Program. Here, you can become involved with cutting-edge nursing research and gain experience in how research and scientific practice are linked in the healthcare industry. Veterans who have prior experience may apply for the Veteran’s BSN program, which offers academic credit for that experience and a BSN program tailored specifically to their needs.

7) Baylor University, Dallas

Baylor University, located in downtown Dallas, offers a traditional full-time BSN track as well as the FastBacc program for those interested in accelerated learning. It is important to note that this campus does not provide the first two years of general education; students may opt to complete them at Baylor’s Waco campus or at a variety of other schools in the state. Once you have finished the first two years of your education, you will then come to Baylor’s Dallas campus where you will take your core nursing courses and complete much of your clinical rotation at Baylor University Medical Center.

Baylor University’s Louise Herrington School of Nursing provides professional education in a Christian setting and emphasizes compassion and safety. You will learn about basic human needs and how to incorporate these into your daily practice as a registered nurse, and you will also learn how various information management systems can help you provide better, safer, and more effective patient care.

The Louise Herrington School of Nursing is ranked as one of the Top 10 Nursing Schools in Texas by Best Nursing Colleges, and it offers one of the nation’s best simulated clinical experiences through the Don A. and Ruth Buchholz Patient Simulation Lab. After completing the program, you will be prepared for one of several graduate programs at Baylor or another university of your choice.

8) Concordia University, Austin

Concordia University is located in Austin, Texas and gives you access to another of the most prestigious BSN programs in the Texas. The four-year traditional track consists of various science and humanities courses in preparation for nursing core courses. These courses do not run concurrently; you will be required to complete them separately.

Like many other BSN programs in this state, the program at Concordia University is divided into two parts. For your first two years, you will take pre-nursing courses, and during the last semester of these, you may apply for the nursing major. If you are accepted, this will make up the final two years of your education and result in your BSN degree.

Admission is quite competitive, and this means that many students who apply will not be accepted. Overall, the acceptance rate for Concordia University is roughly 82.1% across all programs. Students who excel academically and who can provide professional recommendation letters receive the highest consideration here.

9) Texas A&M International University, Laredo

Texas A&M International University at Laredo’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences is quite competitive, and applicants are selected based on their GPAs for their prerequisite and general education courses, and their HESI A2 scores. The international focus at Texas A&M International University includes the Global Health capstone course, which focuses on health problems affecting the world and the ways in which culture and religion could influence health and treatment options.

A big part of the BSN program here is global diversity and culture. This means that aside from traditional professional nursing courses, skills labs, and clinicals, you will also be presented (and evaluated on) cultural diversity objectives. The school uses the Typhon system to document individual clinical cases, as well, and this provides you with some of the best and widest access to diverse clinical experiences in the country today.

The nursing program here is an excellent choice if you want to enter directly into the workforce after passing the NCLEX-RN examination, but it is also ideal if you intend to pursue an MSN or even doctorate degree in the future.

10) Texas A&M University HSC School of Nursing, College Station

Texas A&M University is one of the best and most renowned universities in the nation, and its HSC School of Nursing is no exception. Located in College Station, the HSC School of Nursing admits students into its traditional BSN program three times each year – during the spring, summer, and fall. Texas A&M offers curriculum and teaching designed to help address the nursing shortage in Texas and, as such, provides much more flexibility than some of the other top schools in the state without sacrificing the quality of education you will receive.

To complete the traditional track, you will need to complete a mix of general education and professional nursing courses totaling 120 hours. During your freshman and sophomore years, you will focus solely on pre-nursing courses in sciences and humanities. Though these courses are offered through Texas A&M directly, you can complete them at any accredited university in the state. Afterward, you will need to apply for entry into the nursing program where you will complete your junior and senior years of study.

At the HSC School of Nursing, you will discover that the curriculum is an adequate mix of clinical and non-clinical opportunities. You will be taught to challenge current ways of thinking in an effort to provide better, more innovative, and more effective patient care, whether to individuals, to families, or to entire communities. Clinicals may take place at the College Station Medical Center, the Scott & White Clinic, or the CHI St. Joseph Health Center.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

How to Get My RN License in Texas?

After completing a BSN course in Texas, you will need to apply for licensure with the Texas Board of Nursing. Afterward, you can register for the NCLEX-RN examination through Pearson Vue. After passing the examination, you will then receive your RN nursing license.

What Can I Do with a BSN in TX?

After you have earned your BSN degree in this state, numerous options are available to you. First and foremost, after passing the NCLEX-RN, you may work anywhere in the state as an RN, as well as in any other state that is part of the Nursing Licensure Compact. You will likely be employed by a hospital immediately after graduation; some of the biggest recruiters of new RNs in Texas include Baptist Medical Center and Methodist Hospital, both in San Antonio, and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital and Texas Medical Center, both located in Houston.

BSN Salary in Texas

The average annual salary of RNs who have earned a BSN degree in Texas is $84,320 a year, which is just below the national average of $89,010. It is also worth noting that over the last few years, the number of BSN-educated RNs has continued to grow and has surpassed the number of RNs graduating with ADN degrees each year. This may also be keeping RN salaries close to the national average. You will earn anywhere from $61,950 - $1,05,270 a year with salaries on the low end of the scale representing less experienced RNs and salaries at the high end of the scale representing those who have more experience.

Type	Salary Range	Average Salary
Hourly	$29.78 - $50.61	$40.54
Monthly	$5,160 - $8,770	$7,030
Annual	$61,950 - $1,05,270	$84,320

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Texas Earnings Vs National Earnings

Texas BSN	National BSN	Difference	% Difference
$84,320	$89,010	-$4,690	-5.27%

(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Demand for BSN Graduates

The population of Texas is quite large – and it continues to grow with every passing year. As the population grows, so does the demand for high-quality healthcare. Employers in Texas understand the benefit in hiring BSN-educated RNs as they have more experience and training than their ADN-educated counterparts. As a result, the job outlook is fantastic for BSN graduates in the state of Texas. Between 2020 and 2030, it is expected that some 37,740 new positions will become available, representing growth of nearly 17%.

Projected Annual Job Openings for BSN Graduates in TX (2023-2027)

BSN Programs in Other States