Texas ADN Programs Online: Comparing Schools, Cost & More

Exploring Profiles of Popular ADN Programs in Texas

The need for nursing professionals is more pressing than ever, especially in one of the largest states in the U.S. Texas is home to 10 percent of all community hospitals in the nation, which adds up to more than 500 facilities caring for patients throughout the state.

As the need for nurses grows, access to affordable, fast, and effective education is critical to bring new nursing professionals into the fold. Community and junior colleges in Texas are helping to meet this need by training students to be RNs in only about two years through associate nursing degree (ADN) programs. From Houston to El Paso, Texas is home to dozens of ADN programs. Simulation labs and clinical training requirements mean you won’t find any fully online ADN programs in Texas, but many of these schools offer convenient online classwork in addition to in-person clinical training.

Commonly Asked Questions About Online ADN Programs

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 will take 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 getting a degree. Some schools offer accelerated options that will 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 will depend on several factors, including your residency status, the school you choose, and if you study online vs. on-campus. In general, public schools will cost less than private schools, and community colleges offer a more affordable way to get ADN. Many Texas community colleges offer very affordable tuition to 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. That’s because 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 be prepared to do clinical rotations in person at local healthcare facilities. However, many programs allow ADN students to complete theoretical learning 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 nationally recognized body, like 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.

Top Picks: Online ADN Programs in Texas

By now, you’re probably wondering which school is best for getting your online ADN in Texas. To help you with your search, we’ve done comprehensive research and ranked the best schools based on data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). We’ve evaluated them on the availability of online programs, tuition costs, percentage of students receiving scholarships (and the average amount of aid awarded), and student/faculty ratio. Below, you’ll find our results and picks for the best online ADN programs in Texas.

Potential Earnings & Job Outlook for ADN Nurses in Texas

Getting an ADN is an affordable and relatively quick path to jumping into a high-demand and high-paying career in health care. Texas is facing a severe nursing shortage, and demand for RNs is projected to grow by 29.6% by 2036. You’ll see that demand reflected in job opportunities and pay at hospitals, in healthcare systems, and in physicians’ offices throughout the state.

In Texas, RNs earn anywhere from $64,580 to $115,740, with the average nurse earning about $85,110 per year. That’s considerably higher than the country-wide average RN salary of $86,070. However, keep in mind that not every RN will earn the average salary—and only the top 10% of earners take home the top end of the pay bracket. Nurse salaries cover a wide range, depending on location, experience, specialty, and other factors.

When weighing your options between ADN vs. BSN to launch your career as an RN, know that BSN nurses usually earn on the higher end of the salary scale, while ADNs earn less. That’s because BSN nurses are trained to work in diverse settings, specialized roles, and leadership capacities. Meanwhile, ADN nurses take on jobs as staff nurses in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and hospice facilities.