13 Best RN to BSN Programs in Texas | 2024

Are you a registered nurse (RN) ready to enhance your career with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree?

There are many factors to consider before applying to an RN to BSN program, and Texas has many choices.

To help you decide which is best, we've provided details about the degree and expected salaries and ranked the 13 best available.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

After completing the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and becoming a licensed RN by passing the NCLEX exam, many nurses advance their careers by returning to school for a one to two-year bridge to a BSN degree. A BSN degree is a baccalaureate degree focusing on expanding the foundations of nursing care. Areas of focus include evidence-based practice, research, and nursing theory.

Many healthcare facilities require a BSN for entry-level positions due to the advancement of nursing practice. The BSN degree also provides the groundwork for nurses to further their future careers with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

RN to BSN Coursework

• Pharmacology: Advanced study of medications, their effects on the human body, and their role in patient care.
• Physiology: In-depth exploration of human physiological processes and how they relate to nursing practices.
• Health Assessment: Techniques and methods for comprehensive patient assessments, including physical examinations and health history evaluations.
• Nursing Research: Introduction to research methods and analysis specific to nursing, focusing on evidence-based practice.
• Community Health Nursing: Study of public health principles and their application in community settings.
• Leadership and Management in Nursing: Principles of leadership and management within the context of nursing and healthcare environments.
• Ethics in Nursing: Examination of ethical dilemmas and decision-making processes in nursing practice.
• Pathophysiology: Study of the changes in body systems and functions due to diseases.

RN to BSN Clinical Training

• Hospital Rotations: Practical experience in various hospital departments, such as emergency, pediatrics, and surgery.
• Community Health Practicum: Hands-on experience in community health settings, focusing on public health initiatives and preventive care.
• Leadership Practicum: Opportunities to develop leadership skills in clinical settings, often involving project management or team leadership roles.
• Simulation Labs: Use of high-fidelity mannequins and simulations to practice clinical skills in a controlled environment.
• Capstone Project: A culminating project that integrates theoretical knowledge with clinical practice, often involving a specific patient population or healthcare issue.

RN to BSN Prerequisites and Requirements

All schools have a separate list of prerequisites, although many similarities exist. First, you must have completed the ADN program through an accredited school and maintained a specific GPA. Once admitted, students complete a core curriculum before continuing to higher-level nursing courses. 

These BSN higher-level nursing courses will build upon previous experience, skills, and knowledge to develop a stronger nursing foundation. The skills focus on clinical reasoning and the nursing profession from the broader viewpoint of factors affecting patient care. These courses can build upon essential foundations, including the following: 

• Systems Leadership, Quality, and Patient Safety
• Evidence-Based Practice 
• Information Management and Technology
• Healthcare Policy and Finance 
• Population Health
• Interprofessional Collaboration and Communication

RN to BSN programs offer full-time and part-time coursework. These programs are often offered online, on campus, or as hybrid options. Clinical experience is also part of RN to BSN programs, with students completing clinical time with other BSN-prepared nurses. This hands-on experience will enhance the BSN students' experience within health promotion, evidence-based practice, informatics, and nursing leadership roles.

Best RN to BSN Programs in Texas

The following schools have been selected based on allnurses' methodology of surveying our readers to understand what they value most while selecting schools with the addition of NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, price, mode, duration, and admission rates of hundreds of the most prominent nursing schools in the United States.

1. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The RN-BSN degree program at Texas A&M University requires nursing students to complete 120-122 semester hours to graduate. Up to 30 credit hours transfer from the already completed ADN program. Nursing students must have an active, unencumbered nursing license in Texas.

• Tuition: $285 per credit hour for in-state students; $772 per credit hour for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 84%
• Student-Faculty Ratio: 18:1

2. The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing and Health Innovation

The University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing RN-BSN program offers an on-campus traditional or online accelerated program. The standard on-campus program provides full or part-time studies taking 12 or 24 months to complete. The accelerated online program offers completion in 9-10 months. Students must have an unencumbered RN nursing license.

• Tuition: $291 per credit hour for in-state students; $1,096 per credit hour for out-of-state students
• Mode: On campus for traditional RN-BSN program; online for accelerated RN-BSN program
• Length: 12-24 months (traditional full-time or part-time program), 9-10 months (accelerated)
• Admission Rate: 100%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 19:1 

3. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Nursing

Texas Tech University School of Nursing's RN-BSN program has many articulation agreements with local Community Colleges to bridge the ADN and BSN programs. This bridge creates a seamless enrollment into the RN-BSN program, ensuring students meet the admission requirements. The program also accepts out-of-state students and an active RN nursing license without restriction from any state.

• Tuition: $215.00 per credit hour for in-state students; $635.00 per credit hour for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 2 semesters full-time or 3 semesters part-time
• Admission Rate: 92%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 12:1

4. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) School of Nursing

Students can complete this RN-BSN program in an accelerated option in as little as two semesters. If a student already has one year of RN experience, there is an option to roll into an MSN program directly after completing the BSN program. Students need an RN nursing license, without restriction, in the state where they will complete clinicals.

• Tuition: $361 per credit hour for in-state students; $1,096 per credit hour for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online 
• Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 68%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 14:1 

5. The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) School of Nursing

The University of Texas at Austin ADN-BSN program combines ADN-prepared nursing students with the traditional four-year BSN program students. This BSN program offers an honors program to work directly with faculty mentors to advance nursing science.  

• Tuition: $5,500 per semester for in-state students; $15,000 per semester for out-of-state students
• Mode: Hybrid (online and on-campus)
• Length: 2-3 semesters full-time or 3-4 semesters part-time
• Admission Rate: 31%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 18:1

6. West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) Department of Nursing

At West Texas A&M University, full-time students can complete the RN-BSN program in as little as three semesters. The school requires an unencumbered RN nursing license from any state. Students at West Texas A&M University that work at Northwest Texas Healthcare System have the opportunity for tuition reimbursement of up to $10,000. 

• Tuition: $237 per credit hour for in-state students; $571 per credit hour for out-of-state students 
• Mode: Online
• Length: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Admission Rate: 71%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 20:1

7. The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Nursing

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offers full or part-time options for completing the RN-BSN degree. Students need 30 credit hours to fulfill the program and an active RN license from any state for admission. 

• Tuition: $350 per credit hour for in-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 80%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 20:1

8. Lamar University JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing

The Lamar University RN-BSN program in Beaumont, Texas, requires an active, unencumbered RN license from any state. There are 120 credit hours needed to complete the program. The final course requirement is a capstone course.  

• Tuition: $9,944 per year for in-state students; $23,800 per year for out-of-state students 
• Mode: Online
• Length: 13 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 90%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 21:1

9. Texas Woman's University (TWU) College of Nursing

Nursing students can attend Texas Woman's University College of Nursing's online RN-BSN program in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. If they transfer from another school, students must take at least 25% of the courses at TWU. The school requires an active, unencumbered RN license from any state. 

• Tuition: $7,798 per year for in-state students; $16,340 per year for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 86%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 18:1

10. The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) School of Nursing

The University of Texas at El Paso boasts that 60% of El Paso nurses are graduates of UTEP. This RN-BSN program also has a BSN mentorship program which provides leadership and support for the nursing student. The program offers admission to those with an ADN degree with or without an active RN license. 

• Tuition: $7,790 per year for in-state students; $17,850 per year for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Admission Rate: 100%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 25:1

11. Midwestern State University (MSU Texas) Wilson School of Nursing 

Midwestern State University in Texas offers three start dates per year. The RN-BSN program requirements include a total of 27 credit hours. After the BSN degree, MSU Texas provides several MSN degree programs.  

• Tuition: $4,608 per semester for in-state students; $9,888 per semester for out-of-state students
• Mode: Online
• Length: 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time
• Admission Rate: 71%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 15:1

12. Angelo State University Department of Nursing

Angelo State University's BSN program offers start dates in the fall and Spring. Transferring ADN nursing students must complete at least 30 credit hours with Angelo State University to complete the BSN program. The school will evaluate previous transcripts to determine transfer credits.  

• Tuition: $8,586 per year for in-state students; $20,130 per year for out-of-state students 
• Mode: Online
• Length: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Admission Rate: 95%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 21:1

13. Texas State University St. David's School of Nursing

Located at the Round Rock campus, the Texas State University BSN program admits students once a year to start during the fall semester. Nursing students will complete prerequisite coursework before admission to the BSN program. The school has five state-of-the-art interactive simulation labs to help students learn to manage highly complex patient scenarios. 

• Tuition: $5,908 per year for in-state students; $15,136 per year for out-of-state students
• Mode: Hybrid (online and on-campus)
• Length: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
• Admission Rate: 65%
• Student-Faculty ratio: 18:1

Costs of RN to BSN Programs

When considering the costs of RN to BSN programs, it's important to take into account several factors that can influence the total expense. Here are key considerations:

• Tuition Rates: Tuition can vary significantly between institutions. Public universities often offer lower rates for in-state students, while private colleges may have higher tuition fees. Online programs might offer different rates compared to traditional on-campus programs.
• Per Credit Cost: Some programs charge per credit hour. The total number of credit hours required to complete the program will affect the overall cost.
• Program Length: Accelerated programs may be more expensive in the short term but can reduce overall costs by enabling quicker completion. Traditional programs spread over a longer period might have lower semester costs but could be more expensive in total.
• Fees and Additional Costs: Beyond tuition, additional fees such as technology fees, lab fees, and resources fees can add up. Also, consider the cost of textbooks and other learning materials.
• Online vs. On-Campus: Online programs might reduce costs related to commuting, housing, and other campus-related expenses.
• Part-Time vs. Full-Time Enrollment: Part-time enrollment might be more manageable financially but can extend the duration of the program, potentially increasing the total cost.
• Living Expenses: For on-campus programs, consider the cost of living in the area, including housing, food, and transportation.

It's important that prospective students research available financial aid, grants, and bursaries to offset the costs of their education.

Salary Expectations of the BSN Degree in 2024

According to the NCSBN National Workforce Survey, 41.8% of nurses completed a BSN program as their first licensure, and 37.7% of nurses in 2020 had their first licensure with an ADN degree. Geographic location, employer, and experience level each influence the salary of BSN-prepared nurses.  

The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary for RNs was $89,010 per year and that Texas RNs earned an annual mean wage of $94,320. This figure includes all RNs, whether they hold an ADN, BSN, or MSN degree.

Texas ranked second in the highest employment level of RNs:

• California: 325,620
• Texas: 231,060
• Florida: 197,630
• New York: 190,470
• Pennsylvania: 137,970

The top-paying states for RNs were:

• California: $133,340
• Hawaii: $113,220
• Oregon: $106,610
• Massachusetts: $104,150
• Alaska: $103,310

Often employers require a BSN degree for nursing leadership positions, such as nursing director, clinical nurse manager, assistant nurse manager, and clinical educator. These leadership positions often have higher salaries than bedside nursing.

Compare RN Salary by State

Compare several specializations by state with our comprehensive nursing salary guide, or learn more about nursing salaries in Texas.

Are RN to BSN Programs Worth It?

While RN to BSN programs in Texas offer several advantages, including higher salary potential and better job opportunities, they also require a significant investment of time and money. 

Pros of RN to BSN Programs in Texas

• Higher Salary Potential: BSN-prepared nurses often have higher earning potential compared to their ADN counterparts. This is particularly relevant in Texas, where the healthcare industry is booming.
• Increased Job Opportunities: Many healthcare facilities, especially magnet hospitals, prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses. Texas, with its large number of healthcare facilities, offers numerous opportunities for BSN-prepared nurses.
• Advancement Opportunities: A BSN is often a stepping stone for leadership roles or specialized nursing positions. In Texas's diverse healthcare landscape, this can open doors to various career paths.
• Educational Foundation for Further Studies: For nurses in Texas looking to advance their education further, a BSN is typically required for entry into MSN or DNP programs.
• Meeting Industry Standards: With the push towards a more educated nursing workforce, having a BSN aligns with the evolving standards of the nursing profession, which is particularly pertinent in a competitive state like Texas.

Cons of RN to BSN Programs in Texas

• Cost and Time Investment: Pursuing a BSN requires both time and financial resources. This can be a significant consideration, especially for those already working as RNs.
• Variable Return on Investment: Depending on the job market and location within Texas, the financial benefits of a BSN may vary and might not immediately offset the cost of education.
• Work-Life Balance Challenges: Balancing work, life, and studies can be challenging, especially for RNs who are working while pursuing their BSN.
• Potential Redundancy for Experienced RNs: For RNs with many years of experience, the additional degree may not significantly change their job prospects or salary in Texas, where experience is also highly valued.
• Online vs. In-Person Learning: Many RN to BSN programs are offered online, which can be a pro for some but a con for those who prefer in-person learning experiences.

Importance of Attending an Accredited RN to BSN Program

Attending an accredited RN to BSN program in Texas is crucial for several reasons:

• Quality of Education: Accreditation ensures that the program meets specific quality standards set by a recognized accrediting body. This means the curriculum is up-to-date, comprehensive, and designed to provide the skills and knowledge necessary for modern nursing practice.
• State Licensure and Certification: In Texas, as in other states, graduating from an accredited program is often a prerequisite for state licensure and certification. Without this, nurses may face limitations in their practice or be ineligible for certain professional certifications.
• Employment Opportunities: Many employers in Texas, especially top-tier hospitals and healthcare facilities, prefer or require nurses who have graduated from accredited programs. This is because accreditation assures employers that candidates have received a quality education that meets national standards.
• Further Education and Advancement: If you plan to pursue further education, such as a Master's or Doctoral degree in nursing, most advanced programs require a BSN from an accredited institution as a prerequisite for admission. Accreditation ensures that your degree will be recognized and accepted by these higher-level programs.
• Professional Credibility: A degree from an accredited program enhances your professional credibility. It demonstrates to employers, colleagues, and patients that you have a solid educational foundation in nursing.
• Eligibility for Federal Financial Aid: Accreditation is often a requirement for eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and loans. This is crucial for students who rely on these funds to finance their education.

Accrediting bodies include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

FAQ and Additional Readings

Q: Will my credits from my ADN degree transfer to the RN-BSN program? 

A: Most ADN class credits transfer to BSN programs. It is always a good idea to sit down with the admissions staff and discuss what will/will not transfer. Often, transferred credits can reduce the number of classes needed for graduation. 

Q: What if I don't have a Texas nursing license?

A: Most RN to BSN programs here require an unencumbered RN license from any state.  

Q: Do I have to actively work as a nurse to get my BSN degree?

A: No, as long as your RN license is in good standing with your state board of nursing, you don't have to work as an RN. Many nursing students do, however, choose to work part-time while obtaining their RN to BSN degree online.