Texas ADN/ASN Programs Online: Choosing a School
Looking for a fast, affordable path to becoming an RN? An associate degree in nursing (ADN) lets you qualify in just two years. This guide highlights top online ADN programs in Texas, answers common nursing student questions, and explores career and salary outlooks for new nurses in the state.
The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:
Healthcare Adv. Nursing Nursing Editorial Senior Care Dementia CareFinding the Right Associate Nursing Program in Texas: Guidance from Experienced Nurses
Our rankings highlight high-performing associate nursing programs available to students in Texas, but the right choice still depends on you. Schedule flexibility, proximity to clinical sites, and your long-term nursing goals all matter more than any single ranking. The nursing professionals on our EduMed expert panel share what they think students should weigh most carefully before committing.
Investigate Clinical Placement Locations
Texas has more than 500 community hospitals, which means you have strong job prospects after graduation. This also means ADN programs vary a lot by region in terms of clinical placement. I’d encourage you to look closely at where your clinicals would actually take place through each program before committing.
Explore Employer Tuition Assistance
So many healthcare workers miss out on a huge financial perk: local hospitals, nursing homes, and even state nursing organizations, such as The Texas Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, often offer scholarships or tuition assistance. If you’re already working as an LPN or paramedic and trying to bridge to your ADN, definitely check with your employer or local facilities first.
Inside Top ADN Programs in Texas
The demand for nursing professionals in Texas is higher than ever. As one of the largest states in the U.S., Texas is home to more than 500 community hospitals, representing roughly 10 percent of all such facilities nationwide.
Community and junior colleges across the state are helping fill this need through associate degree in nursing (ADN) programs, which help prepare students to become RNs in about two years. While fully online ADN programs aren’t available due to clinical and simulation lab requirements, many schools offer online coursework combined with in-person clinical training for added flexibility.
Below, we’ve highlighted three popular ADN programs in Texas with online components. See if one of these schools has what you need to succeed.
Associate Degree in Nursing – Blinn College
Blinn College’s Associate of Applied Science in Associate Degree Nursing in nursing is a two-year program that prepares students to work as registered nurses. The majority of classes are offered in person at Blinn’s RELLIS campus in Bryan. However, many of the theory and general education courses required are available in a hybrid or online format.
As for in person work, students gain hands-on skills training and clinical experience in the school’s simulation lab and in clinical settings.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Partially online
Cost: $64-274/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Vaccination record
- Texas Success Initiative (TSI) scores
Curriculum:
- Health Assessment
- Foundations for Nursing Practice
- Pharmacology
- Anatomy and Physiology I & II
- Common Concepts of Adult Health
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Nursing Skills
- Mental Health Nursing
- Clinical – Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
- Lifespan Growth & Development
- Complex Concepts of Adult Health
- Nursing Care of the Childbearing and Childrearing Family
- Advanced Concepts of Adult Health
- Professional Nursing: Leadership and Management
Programs that might interest you:
Nursing RN – Hill College
At Hill College, students in the Nursing RN program prepare to enter the healthcare field as a registered nurse in two years. Those currently working as Licensed Vocational Nurses or paramedics can take advantage of the program to expand their education and credentials to grow their professions by becoming RNs.
This 60-hour program includes a combination of online classes, in-person exams, and hands-on clinical experiences at local hospitals. Students benefit from small class sizes and low student-to-faculty ratios. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and begin their careers or to proceed onto a BSN program.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Partially online
Cost: $97-297/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- TEAS test scores
- Immunization records
- Criminal background check
Curriculum:
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Nursing RN Training
- Complex Concepts of Adult Health
- Nursing Care of Childbearing and Child Rearing Family
- Common Concepts of Adult Health
- Nursing Foundations
- Care Children and Families
- Mental Health Nursing
- Clinical Nursing RN Training
- Clinical Advanced RN Training
- Advanced Concepts of Adult Health
Associate Degree Nursing – South Texas College
With South Texas College’s Associate Degree in Nursing, students from all experience levels have a way to earn their associate degree. For students without any prior nursing certifications or experience, there’s the Traditional Track.
Licensed Vocational Nurses can take advantage of the LVN to ADN track, while EMTs and Paramedic professionals also have a dedicated track from their current careers to an ADN.
All nursing courses are delivered face to face, meaning this program is not fully online. However, students will find they can take some of the non-nursing courses in their degrees online for added flexibility.
Duration: Two years
Mode: Partially online
Cost: $18,333
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Meet TSI college readiness standards
- Minimum GPA of 2.5
Curriculum:
- Introduction to Nursing
- Pharmacology
- Foundations for Nursing Practice
- Nursing Skills
- Common Concepts of Adult Health
- Clinical Medical/Surgical
- Mental Health Nursing
- Clinical Mental Health
- General Psychology
- Nursing Care of Childbearing & Childrearing Family
- Clinical Pediatrics/Maternal/Infant
- Complex Concepts of Adult Health
- Clinical Complex Medical Surgical
- Advanced Concepts of Adult Health
- Professional Nursing: Leadership and Management
FAQ Corner: Online ADN Programs in TX
While you research potential ADN programs, you’ll probably develop plenty of questions before applying to schools. Below, we lay out students’ most pressing questions about program timelines, paying for school, and admission tips for prospective online ADN students in Texas.
How long does it take to complete an online ADN program in Texas?
In general, it takes two years to earn your ADN in Texas. Since it’s an associate-level degree, you’ll need to take some general education courses before starting on your nursing courses. Altogether, you’ll earn around 60 college credits by the time you graduate, which takes two years of full-time study at most schools.
If you need to go to school part-time, expect to spend three to four years earning a degree. Some schools offer accelerated options that allow you to complete theoretical coursework at a faster pace, but keep in mind that you’ll still need to set aside time for clinicals.
How much does an online ADN cost in TX?
The total cost depends on several factors, including your residency status, the school you choose, and if you study online vs. on-campus. In general, public schools cost less than private schools, and community colleges offer a more affordable way to get ADN.
Many Texas community colleges have affordable tuition for residents of the district or county where the school is located; for example, Tarrant County College charges just $74/credit for county residents. Texas residents enjoy slightly higher in-state tuition rates, while out-of-state residents can expect to pay about $300/credit to get an ADN.
Is financial aid available to students of Texas’ ADN programs?
Yes, financial aid is available to ADN students in Texas. Depending on your eligibility, you may be able to take advantage of federal or state grants, subsidized loans, or scholarships to lower the cost of your education.
The Texas Organization for Associate Degree Nursing offers multiple scholarships to students getting their ADN. Local hospitals and nursing homes often offer scholarships to students who commit to working at their facilities post-graduation.
Private foundations, professional associations, and schools also offer assistance to promising students. You may also find assistance from potential employers like hospitals or nursing homes.
Can I complete my ADN entirely online in Texas?
Unfortunately, you won’t find any totally online ADN programs in Texas. Becoming an RN takes an extensive amount of hands-on work, making it difficult to learn what you truly need to know to be a registered nurse solely through online learning. At a minimum, you’ll need to do clinical rotations in person at local healthcare facilities.
However, many programs allow ADN students to complete academic coursework online, reserving in-person learning to on-campus simulated labs, exams, and clinical rotations.
What should I consider when looking for an online ADN program in TX?
Accreditation is the most important aspect of any ADN program. Ensuring your program is accredited by a regional or national accreditor, such as the American Association of Colleges on Nursing (AACN) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), means your degree meets industry-wide quality and educational standards.
Next, consider a school’s opportunities for clinical experiences — hands-on experience is important for your future career and a standard feature of any quality ADN. Look for diverse clinical experiences, so you can get a feel for which types of patients you’d like to work with.
Third, look for high NCLEX-RN pass rates, which indicate a school prepares graduates for licensure success.
Salary & Career Info for ADN Nurses in Texas
Registered Nurses
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $67,120 | $95,970 | $127,950 |
| Abilene, TX | $63,890 | $80,240 | $100,710 |
| Amarillo, TX | $65,690 | $86,850 | $122,700 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $73,440 | $97,890 | $127,510 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $63,280 | $81,180 | $106,710 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $60,020 | $81,090 | $115,050 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $64,830 | $83,090 | $118,140 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $62,710 | $82,690 | $99,280 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $73,400 | $101,420 | $129,710 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | $58,670 | $73,660 | $101,930 |
| El Paso, TX | $61,230 | $86,100 | $117,220 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $74,860 | $99,830 | $130,440 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $75,130 | $93,440 | $119,390 |
| Laredo, TX | $60,830 | $77,050 | $95,510 |
| Longview, TX | $61,610 | $80,330 | $107,610 |
| Lubbock, TX | $69,990 | $81,480 | $107,180 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $64,110 | $80,540 | $99,470 |
| Midland, TX | $64,400 | $82,120 | $103,990 |
| Odessa, TX | $71,690 | $81,370 | $104,080 |
| San Angelo, TX | $66,270 | $80,080 | $117,600 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $66,430 | $94,370 | $122,990 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $70,260 | $83,700 | $103,290 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $60,960 | $80,610 | $99,370 |
| Tyler, TX | $62,740 | $80,340 | $98,160 |
| Victoria, TX | $65,150 | $83,680 | $103,510 |
| Waco, TX | $69,690 | $92,890 | $118,460 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $62,870 | $83,280 | $103,990 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025
Showing 1 – 10 of 27 entries | Data does not reflect school-specific information.
