Student Guide to Online BSN Programs in Texas
Position yourself for success in nursing through one of the many accredited online or in-person BSN programs in Houston. This guide profiles top nursing schools and helps you find the best program for your career goals.
Are you a prospective college student looking into nursing programs for the first time? Maybe you’re already an RN or LVN nurse but want to take your education and career prospects to the next level. A BSN degree can help you develop the advanced skills needed for working in the healthcare industry. Whether you see yourself as a nurse in a physician’s office, nursing care facility, school, or hospital, an in-person or online BSN program in Houston can provide the knowledge needed to begin working in this in-demand and lucrative career.
This guide contains the information you need to find the best BSN programs in Houston. It highlights the top Houston BSN programs and provides program, degree, financial aid, and salary information to help you discover the best nursing bachelor’s degree option for you.
Best Accredited BSN Programs in Houston
With all the options available for BSN degree-seekers in Houston, how do you know which one to choose? The nursing school and program profiles below identify the best accredited and state-approved BSN degrees. These schools have the highest quality of education, they’re affordable, and they have terrific student support services. Learn about some of the best nursing degree options and see who stands out.
Key Benefits of Earning a BSN Degree in Houston
Key benefits of earning a BSN degree in Houston include being prepared for the NCLEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse, a credential that opens up careers with higher salaries. Additionally, there are many great BSN programs in Houston for those already possessing a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area. You can pursue a new degree path and get credit for many of the courses you’ve already completed, saving you time and money. Some programs also provide BSN upgrade opportunities for RNs with associates or diplomas.
Benefit #1
Higher Salaries
The annual mean wage for registered nurses in Houston is $81,350. Comparatively, nursing professionals in Houston without the RN credential, like those working as home health and personal care aides, make $20,410 per year. With a BSN degree, you can pursue a nursing career in a variety of healthcare settings and increase employment opportunities because of your specialized and diverse training
Benefit #2
A Quick Pathway for Non-Nursing Bachelor’s Degree-Holders
If you already possess a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, you can quickly earn your BSN in Houston through a program specially designed for you. Many of your general education classes and prerequisites will transfer to your Houston BSN to save you time and money. You’ll likely be able to complete a nursing curriculum, including coursework and clinicals, in as few as 12-18 months. The University of Houston, for example, offers a 12-month second-degree BSN program.
Benefit #3
Upgrade Opportunities for RNs with Associates or Diplomas
Even if you’re already an RN in Houston, there are great opportunities to upgrade to a BSN. Through programs specifically designed for you, you’ll find the flexibility and affordability working nursing professionals need on a tight schedule or budget. Prairie View A&M University College of Nursing in the greater Houston area, for example, offers a 12-month RN to BSN for those with an associate degree or diploma in nursing at about $314 per credit.
Program Checklist: Qualities to Look for in a BSN Program in Houston
As you search through your educational options for a BSN program in Houston, know the essential qualities to include. First, a quality program that provides the training and credentials you need to advance your career must be state-approved and nationally accredited. Second, a quality program produces students who do well on standardized tests and secure employment upon graduation. Lastly, your Houston BSN nursing program should offer the flexibility you need to have an enjoyable and fruitful learning experience.
Types of BSN Programs in Houston
Traditional BSN Programs
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees are typically three- or four-year programs designed for students with no previous nursing experience or bachelor’s degrees. They are often programs of choice for learners entering college immediately after high school or for first-time college students of any age.
Examples of Houston Nursing Schools with This Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs are designed for learners without RN licenses but who already possess bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields. Upon completion of this program, you’ll have a bachelor’s degree and be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Accelerated BSN programs are sometimes called second-degree BSN or ABSN programs.
Examples of Houston Nursing Schools with This Program
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs are designed for learners who already possess licensure as registered nurses but who want to pursue a bachelor’s level education. Many working nurses choose this path to improve their nursing skills, gain more in-depth knowledge of the field and position themselves for higher-level, more lucrative nursing roles.
Examples of Houston Nursing Schools with This Program
LPN to BSN Programs
LPN to BSN programs are for professionals working as LPNs or LVNs who want to further develop their nursing skills and knowledge in a bachelor’s program. Upon completion of this program, LPNs or LVNs are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to earn RN licensure.
Examples of Houston Nursing Schools with This Program
Online BSN Programs in Houston
Remote Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in Houston are few, but more institutions are offering remote instruction options for BSN-seekers. Online BSNs are typically two or three semesters in length and designed for registered nurses who already have hands-on training and experience as a nurse but who want to bolster their education and credentials in a bachelor’s-level program.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs in Houston
Designed for motivated high school seniors with a strong desire to pursue nursing, direct-entry BSN programs in Houston provide an accelerated path to success. By allowing college freshmen to engage in nursing classes from their first semester, these competitive programs give aspiring nurses an early advantage in their academic and professional pursuits.
FAQs About BSN Programs in Houston
How long does it take to earn a BSN in Houston?
The duration of your BSN in Houston depends on the level of education you possess before you start. Full-time BSN learners without previous college education often spend four years completing their degrees, spending two years on general education and prerequisite courses before tackling the two years of nursing-specific requirements. The University of Houston’s traditional BSN, for example, takes four years to complete, but part-time learners can spend up to 6 years.
Accelerated BSN and RN to BSN programs are much quicker. These programs require previous college or nursing education experience. Since many previously earned credits transfer toward the new degree, the duration of a BSN program is often 12-16 months. These programs are rigorous programs covering a lot of nursing instruction in a short amount of time, so students typically need to be full-time.
How much does a BSN program in Houston cost?
The amount you may pay for a BSN program in Florida varies depending on the school you choose. For example, those who attend a public school can generally expect to pay a lot less for their tuition than those who attend a private one. The type of BSN program will also influence the cost since some degrees take longer to finish than others. To give you an idea of the cost for your BSN degree, we have included what three different schools charge their nursing students.
Texas Woman’s University
Total Credits: 32
$231/credit Texas resident; $640/credit non-resident
University of St. Thomas Houston
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Total Credits: 58
$1,100/credit
What are the admissions requirements for BSN nursing programs in Houston?
No matter which BSN program you choose, follow the school’s application requirements carefully. BSN programs in Houston tend to be competitive since most nursing programs use a cohort learning model and have limited space for hands-on training and clinical rotations.
Most BSN applications require official transcripts reflecting a competitive GPA and history of relevant coursework and nursing prerequisites. More specifically, most BSN programs in Houston require the following for application:
- An unencumbered nursing license as a registered nurse in the U.S. (for RN-to-BSN programs)
- Completed prerequisite courses in areas including nutrition, statistics, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology
- Official transcripts with a 3.0 or higher GPA
- Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Admission Assessment Exam
- Letters of recommendation or professional references (may be optional)
- Background check and drug screen
- Personal statement or essay (may be optional)
- CPR certification (may be optional)
Where can I find financial aid to help pay for my BSN program in Houston?
Earning a bachelor’s degree is a significant financial hurdle for almost every student. Thankfully, most BSN programs in Houston provide many financial aid options. Scholarships and grants for nursing students, which provide free money you don’t have to repay, may be available through your school, professional organizations in Texas, private foundations, and more. You may also qualify for federal student loans, which usually offer better interest rates than private loans. Check out EduMed’s nursing scholarship guide for more information as well as its financial aid guide to learn more about making good financial decisions while you’re in school.
Inside Look at Online BSN Programs in Houston
Online BSN programs in Houston take advantage of the latest technologies to bring you affordable and convenient nursing training, and many BSN degrees are now offered in a hybrid format. You’ll complete academic bookwork remotely and clinical training in-person on campus or at an approved healthcare facility. This works well for adult learners looking for the scheduling flexibility of an online degree program while still having a hands-on learning component.
Though not many yet exist, BSN programs in Houston are increasingly being offered completely online. The Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth, for example, offers a 31-credit RN-to-BSN online program. Full- and part-time learners complete all classes remotely, including community health practice, management and leadership, and health assessment. Depending on the program and your previous education experience, you might still need to complete in-person clinical hours at an approved location. For more information on what to expect from online BSN programs in Houston, check out EduMed’s dedicated guide to online bachelor’s degrees in nursing.
Salary Details for BSN Nurses in Houston
Starting a nursing career is exciting, and you’ll be an integral part of the healthcare field in Houston if you pursue this path. However, you may not be entirely sure if this is what you want to do. This is understandable, especially when considering the tuition costs versus the financial aid you may receive. If you have questions about potential earnings after nursing school, we have the answers. In the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area, the 10th percentile of registered nurses earn $67,810, while the 90th percentile earn $115,460. The median salary is $93,330. On the state level, registered nurses make about the same amounts. Across Texas, the average salary for registered nurses is slightly lower at $85,110. However, the salary range is comparable, from $64,580 to $115,740 per year. Review the table below with data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $64,580 | $85,110 | $115,740 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $67,810 | $93,330 | $115,460 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
