Online LVN Programs in Texas: Finding the School for You
Ready to launch your nursing career without putting life on hold? Discover Texas’s top hybrid LVN programs that blend online flexibility with hands-on training. From Dallas to Houston, find out where you can earn your credentials, what employers are paying, and how to get started — all on your terms.
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How Online LVN Programs Work in Texas
Ready to join a thriving healthcare community as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN)? To become an LVN in Texas, you need to complete a certification program, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), and then apply for licensure. Your first step is to find a school and program that fits your needs.
To help you take your first step, EduMed has researched the practical nursing programs across the state. We’ve reviewed costs, requirements, curriculum, admissions, and more. Here are three popular LVN programs in Texas with online components.
North Central Texas College
Currently, there are only two hybrid LVN programs accredited by the Texas State Board of Nursing; one is at North Central Texas College.
The program combines online lectures with on-campus labs to provide a robust nursing education. For added flexibility, students can choose if they want to complete in-person labs at the school’s Gainesville, Corinth, Bowie, or Graham campuses.
The clinical component must be completed in-person at pre-approved healthcare facilities, not on campus, as students also practice skills and strategies hands-on during clinical training hours.
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $8,559 (in-district); $12,758 (in-state); $17,168 (out-of-state)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school, equivalent, and/or college transcripts
- Demonstrated proficiency in all areas of the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)
- Immunization records, background check, and drug test
Core Curriculum:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Nursing in Health and Illness
- Essentials of Medication Administration
- Maternal-Neonatal Nursing
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
- Professional Development
- Clinical Hours
- Professional Development
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Blinn College District
Blinn College District, located between Austin and Houston, offers a hybrid LVN program that blends online coursework with hands-on training. The program prepares graduates to become competent LVNs able to work in a variety of nursing settings.
The curriculum includes online classes, on-campus labs, and in-person clinical experiences at affiliated facilities in the La Grange and Brenham areas. This 12-month, 39-credit program runs from fall through spring and summer terms.
Online LVN students have access to the same support services as on-campus students, including admissions, academic and career counseling, and job search assistance. Blinn College also provides additional career development and academic resources to help students succeed.
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $8,823 in-district, $11,124 in-state/out-of-district, $17,208 out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Minimum Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) scores: 50% reading/math/English/language usage, 33.3% science, 65% composite
- Passing score on Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based (TOEFL iBT) test for non-native English speakers
- Online information session
- Texas Success Initiative status or exempt
- High school or equivalent transcript
- Up-to-date immunizations including hepatitis B
Core Curriculum:
- Human Anatomy
- Medical Terminology
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Foundations of Nursing
- Pharmacology
- Essentials of Medication Administration
- Nursing in Health & Illness
- Mental Health & Mental Illness
- Maternal-Neonatal Nursing
- Pediatrics
Panola College
Panola College’s Vocational Nursing Program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and careers as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs). The program spans three semesters with courses held face-to-face at the Carthage and Center campuses.
All components must be completed in person, either on campus or at nearby healthcare facilities. Clinical rotations take place within a 70-mile radius and may occur on weekends or evenings.
Admission requires a specific application process and completion of prerequisite courses. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience and is fully approved by the Texas Board of Nursing.
Duration: 3 semesters
Mode: In-person
Cost: $990 per semester
Admissions Requirements:
- Application to Panola College
- Prerequisite biology courses with grades of C or higher
- HESI A2 test scores of 75 reading, math, and grammar
- High school, equivalent, and any college transcripts
- Pass criminal background check and drug check
- Proof of immunizations
Core Curriculum:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Foundations in Nursing
- Basic Nursing Skills
- Nursing in Health and Illness
- Pediatrics
- VNSG
- Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training
- Leadership and Professional Development
- Maternal-Neonatal Nursing
- Clinical training
FAQs About Online LVN Programs in Texas
While the school spotlights above provide insights on individual programs, you probably still have questions. Explore answers to common questions about financial aid options, how long these programs take to complete, and fully online programs in Texas.
How long does it take to become an LVN in Texas?
Most LVN programs in Texas take about 12 months to complete. This timeline is for full-time students, and at this cadence, it may be difficult to balance an LVN program with work or caregiver responsibilities.
For those who need a less intensive program, there are some slower part-time options. Additionally, some colleges offer accelerated LVN programs that are even more time-intensive or quicker bridge programs for medical assistants.
Alongside education, keep in mind the LVN applicants must pass a Texas-specific test and the NCLEX-PN to be licensed. Studying for and taking these exams may take additional time, increasing how long it takes to become an LVN in Texas.
Can I take LVN classes online in Texas?
While some programs may offer a hybrid format, it’s difficult to find a fully online LVN program. In fact, there are currently no 100% online LVN programs approved by the Texas Board of Nursing. That’s because becoming an LVN requires hands-on in-person clinical training hours.
Many programs also require students to complete labs on campus since these experiences prepare students for the day-to-day tasks a LVN completes. There are, however, hybrid options where students complete courses online and labs and clinical hours in-person. Both Blinn College District and North Central Texas College offer hybrid LVN programs.
Can I take the LVN exam in Texas without going to school?
In Texas, graduation from a program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing is a licensure requirement. Plus, any state-mandated test is difficult to pass without the proper LVN training. This is true whether you are new to the healthcare field or transitioning to nursing from another allied health profession. Should students wish to continue their education and obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN), an LVN to BSN bridge program is required prior to taking the state exam.
Is an LVN certificate worth it?
For many students, an LVN certificate prepares them for a lucrative nursing career. It teaches a variety of essential hands-on nursing skills and theoretical knowledge that can be applied to many healthcare settings. In fact, LVNs are eligible to work in hospitals, private healthcare practices, mental healthcare facilities, long-term nursing facilities, and other healthcare organizations.
Where an LVN certificate falls short is in offering opportunities to specialize or take on leadership roles. If either of these paths are of interest, you may want to consider a bachelor of science program that leads to RN licensure. If you’re trying to compare a compare LVN and RN programs, it’s important to consider education, job responsibilities, salary, timing, and more. But with an LVN certificate, you have a firm foundation for additional studies and bridge programs.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LVN program in Texas?
Even affordable LVN programs can be costly. To help, many private organizations, government organizations, and colleges offer financial aid opportunities for LVNs. These include student loans, scholarships, grants, fellowships, and employer tuition reimbursement programs.
When it comes to LVN scholarships, students may want to look at Texas-based opportunities as well as national scholarships. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board offers some state-sponsored grants and scholarships on their website. The Community Foundation of Texas also lists additional scholarships for nurses. If interested in school-specific opportunities, ask admissions counselors about available financial aid. They may be able to set up a meeting with a school financial aid advisor as well.
Grow Your Career: Texas LVN Certification
Like every other state, Texas has specific requirements for obtaining your LVN license. The first step is graduating from a LVN program approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON). The BON additionally recognizes graduates from prelicensure nursing programs outside of the state that are accredited and approved by the governing agency of the program’s home state. Out-of-state graduates can be approved by the BON to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and apply for Texas LVN licensure.
After graduating, students must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN consists of 85 to 205 mostly multiple-choice questions covering four major client needs categories: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity. In addition to the NCLEX-PN exam, Texas LVN license applicants must take and pass the Texas Nursing Jurisprudence Examination (NJE). The NJE consists of 50 questions that cover Texas rules and regulations governing nursing practice.
For the state’s LVN license application, students must also complete fingerprinting and criminal background checks. Electronic fingerprinting is mandated and must be performed at one of the over 80 IdentoGo centers located throughout the state. The criminal background check is conducted by the FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety based on the submitted fingerprints.
Salary and Career Details for LVNs in Texas
- Area ↕
- 10th Percentile ↕
- Median ↕
- 90th Percentile ↕
| U.S. | |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,960 |
| Median | $62,340 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,510 |
| Texas | |
| 10th Percentile | $47,820 |
| Median | $60,150 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,610 |
| Abilene, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $46,160 |
| Median | $56,430 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,010 |
| Amarillo, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $46,510 |
| Median | $59,010 |
| 90th Percentile | $70,930 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $52,870 |
| Median | $63,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,000 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $41,380 |
| Median | $57,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,410 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $42,550 |
| Median | $54,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $62,320 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,520 |
| Median | $57,410 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,470 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $46,950 |
| Median | $58,290 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,030 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $51,550 |
| Median | $61,930 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,940 |
| Eagle Pass, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $43,670 |
| Median | $51,950 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,600 |
| El Paso, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $46,120 |
| Median | $56,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $67,000 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $50,880 |
| Median | $61,700 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,940 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,430 |
| Median | $60,940 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,160 |
| Laredo, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,050 |
| Median | $55,100 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,990 |
| Longview, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,390 |
| Median | $57,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,500 |
| Lubbock, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,890 |
| Median | $56,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $66,480 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $42,870 |
| Median | $50,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $61,210 |
| Midland, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $52,580 |
| Median | $61,990 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,510 |
| Odessa, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $48,750 |
| Median | $59,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $71,560 |
| San Angelo, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,910 |
| Median | $56,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,300 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $48,440 |
| Median | $60,740 |
| 90th Percentile | $74,840 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $48,940 |
| Median | $58,140 |
| 90th Percentile | $66,650 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | |
| 10th Percentile | $40,780 |
| Median | $52,670 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,360 |
| Tyler, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $45,520 |
| Median | $57,550 |
| 90th Percentile | $63,760 |
| Victoria, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $47,650 |
| Median | $58,900 |
| 90th Percentile | $66,040 |
| Waco, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $47,280 |
| Median | $59,820 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,400 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | |
| 10th Percentile | $46,000 |
| Median | $56,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,960 |
Source: Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Curr. Jobs | 655,000 |
| Proj. Jobs | 689,900 |
| New Jobs | 34,900 |
| Growth % | 5.30% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 54,400 |
| Texas | |
| Curr. Jobs | 62,840 |
| Proj. Jobs | 70,660 |
| New Jobs | 7,820 |
| Growth % | 12.40% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 5,830 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Top Online LVN Programs in Texas
To identify the best online LVN programs in Texas, we evaluated schools using a comprehensive scoring system that considers multiple success factors. Programs must meet baseline requirements, including online components, accreditation, and strong student support services. Our rankings reflect a weighted analysis of graduation outcomes, financial considerations, and instructional quality. This data-driven approach helps you identify Texas programs that deliver consistent excellence in nursing education.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,603 Avg. Aid Amount
- 33% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 20/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Grayson College
- The Grayson College Practical Nursing program is designed for completion within 12 months, offering an accelerated path that meets five days a week for focused, intensive study.
- The program emphasizes individualized instruction and academic counseling, fostering critical thinking, clinical competency, and ethical accountability under experienced faculty guidance.
- Admission is selective with clear criteria and support, ensuring quality student cohorts prepared to pass the NCLEX-PN and enter the workforce as competent licensed vocational nurses.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,603 Avg. Aid Amount
- 33% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 20/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,733 Avg. Aid Amount
- 36% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Panola College
- Panola College’s Practical Nursing program guarantees clinical placements within a 70-mile radius, ensuring diverse hands-on learning opportunities in real healthcare settings.
- The program offers face-to-face instruction at two campus locations with structured scheduling across day, evening, night, and weekend clinicals to accommodate student availability.
- Panola College’s Vocational Nursing program emphasizes preparing competent, safe nurses through collaboration with healthcare professionals, promoting strong community healthcare partnerships.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,733 Avg. Aid Amount
- 36% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,523 Avg. Aid Amount
- 53% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Brazosport College
- The Practical Nursing program offers comprehensive hospital-based clinical training across Brazoria and Matagorda Counties, providing diverse real-world experience essential for nursing practice.
- Admission requires competitive entrance assessments including the HESI A2 and Critical Thinking exams, ensuring that students are well-prepared and academically ready for intensive nursing study.
- The program’s structured curriculum and strict sequencing, combined with support for credit by examination, facilitate efficient progression and recognition of prior nursing knowledge.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,523 Avg. Aid Amount
- 53% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,572 Avg. Aid Amount
- 23% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Del Mar College
- Del Mar College’s Practical Nursing program offers a clear LVN exit option within the Associate Degree Nursing track, enabling students to earn their LVN certification after four semesters and then continue toward RN licensure, providing a flexible, career-advancing pathway.
- The program requires students to complete rigorous prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C and a Program Grade Point Average of at least 2.5, ensuring a strong foundational knowledge base that supports student success in nursing licensure exams.
- Graduates of the Practical Nursing certificate are eligible to take the NCLEX-PN exam promptly after completion, allowing efficient entry into the workforce as licensed vocational nurses in Texas.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,572 Avg. Aid Amount
- 23% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 12/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,791 Avg. Aid Amount
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Texas State Technical College
- The Practical Nursing program at TSTC offers a money-back guarantee promising a job offer within six months of graduation or a full tuition refund, ensuring employment confidence for students.
- Students benefit from high-quality training facilities where they engage in simulated practice and real clinical experiences to prepare for patient care in diverse healthcare settings.
- The program is designed for fast completion within one year, allowing students to quickly become licensed vocational nurses and enter the workforce efficiently.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,791 Avg. Aid Amount
- 45% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 13/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,983 Avg. Aid Amount
- 49% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Galveston College
- The Practical Nursing program offers tuition discounts and access to scholarships and bursaries to help students financially through graduation.
- Students gain hands-on clinical experience through diverse placements supervised by experienced registered or licensed professionals, enhancing real-world readiness.
- The program maintains strong employer partnerships that provide varied, high-quality practicum placements in regional healthcare settings to ensure practical skill integration.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,983 Avg. Aid Amount
- 49% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 14/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,616 Avg. Aid Amount
- 28% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Wharton County Junior College
- The WCJC Practical Nursing program features a 12-month full-time format with hands-on clinical practice, allowing students to enter the workforce quickly without prerequisites.
- The program enables graduates to apply for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam, facilitating swift transition to licensed vocational nurse roles across diverse healthcare settings.
- WCJC’s Vocational Nursing Department offers personalized application assistance and a structured pathway to prepare students specifically for success as Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $2,616 Avg. Aid Amount
- 28% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 17/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,284 Avg. Aid Amount
- 39% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected College of the Mainland
- The College of the Mainland Practical Nursing program offers hands-on learning with extensive clinical practice and skilled faculty providing real-world experience and individualized student support.
- The program emphasizes building professional camaraderie by fostering strong student relationships in classrooms, labs, and clinical settings that last into their careers.
- Students benefit from American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) certification training available directly through the college, ensuring current industry-standard credentials before graduation.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $1,284 Avg. Aid Amount
- 39% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 18/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,222 Avg. Aid Amount
- 24% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected North Central Texas College
- The Practical Nursing program at North Central Texas College offers clinical experiences in diverse healthcare settings, providing students with real-world, hands-on patient care training to build competence and confidence.
- It features a student-centered learning approach combining classroom, hybrid, and online instruction correlated with supervised clinical practice offering flexible and effective education.
- Prospective students benefit from a structured admission process with informational sessions and comprehensive support to ensure readiness and successful entry into the program.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $3,222 Avg. Aid Amount
- 24% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 19/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $7,570 Avg. Aid Amount
- 22% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 15/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Why We Selected Weatherford College
- The Practical Nursing program offers high clinical placement rates through established long-term hospital and healthcare partnerships, ensuring meaningful hands-on experience.
- Students benefit from personalized faculty engagement due to small class sizes, providing expert guidance and enhanced learning throughout clinical and classroom training.
- The program includes dedicated career services support, helping graduates with job placement and providing resources to successfully pass licensure examinations.
Program Details
- SACSCOC Accreditation
- $7,570 Avg. Aid Amount
- 22% Graduation Rate
- Public School Type
- 15/1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘25-’26 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves:
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic and career counseling on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted*.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area.
- Avg. Aid Amount – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Students w/ Aid – Percent of full-time, first-time students undergraduates awarded institutional aid.
- Online Enrollment – Percent of undergraduate students taking at least one distance education class.
- Graduation Rate – Percent of full-time, first-time receiving an award in 6 years.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
*Metrics #2-5 and #6-7 were equally weighted.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2025
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