5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Texas 2025

While nursing school is never easy, there are ways to mitigate the difficulty of coursework by enrolling in degree programs that are flexible yet still highly respected. This applies to anyone seeking an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or any other path to becoming a registered nurse (RN). This article will show you the easiest nursing schools to get into in Texas.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Texas?

Nursing school admissions are quite competitive in Texas, but fortunately, there are comparably easy nursing programs that admit a majority of prospective students. This includes some of the easiest RN to BSN programs online if you already have an RN license but wish to improve your job opportunities with more credentialing.

Also, even though a university or community college may admit more students, you'll still enjoy a high-quality education and the chance to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Texas Nursing Schools?

The nursing school requirements for traditional BSN programs are complex in Texas. Most reputable universities require at least a 2.5 grade point average (GPA) to receive enrollment consideration. These programs also prefer or require nursing students to devote full-time effort to their coursework and clinical hours.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Texas

This list features the easiest nursing schools to get into in Texas. Each program has a high acceptance rate but also a respectable NCLEX pass rate for first-time test takers.

1. University of Texas - El Paso

The University of Texas - El Paso (UTEP) has a 100% acceptance rate for its undergraduate nursing programs, featuring a traditional BSN degree and an RN-to-BSN bridge program. It also offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). BSN graduates pass the NCLEX-RN exam at a rate of about 92%.

• Estimated tuition cost: $440.30 per credit hour (in-state); $955.90 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University offers multiple BSN bridge programs, including one that allows you to earn the credential while beginning as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). Program entry requires nine pre-nursing prerequisites, such as human anatomy, applied microbiology, and statistics.

Although Sam Houston State has the highest tuition among schools on this list, there are ways to offset the costs by pursuing nursing fellowships and other forms of financial aid.

• Estimated tuition cost: $636.60 per credit hour (in-state); $1,046.60 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 97%
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. Texas Woman's University

Texas Woman's University offers a traditional BSN degree, a master's degree, and two doctoral programs. You can also complete an RN-to-BSN track 100% online, either full-time or part-time, through seven-week sessions. The university admits almost all students, provided they complete all prerequisite requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $90 per credit hour (in-state); $643 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 96%
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of Texas - Arlington

The University of Texas - Arlington has several flexible degree options for nursing majors. Students can enroll in a 100% online curriculum for its accelerated BSN and RN-to-BSN programs. The accelerated pathway involves 51 credit hours, which you can complete in as little as 15 months, preparing graduates for careers in pediatric care, mental health nursing, gerontology, and other specializations.

• Estimated tuition cost: $257 per credit hour (in-state); $425 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 93%
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University has an 85% acceptance for its BSN program. Although it requires a long list of prerequisite courses, most are general education requirements in non-science fields. This university also supports nursing students by providing at least six nursing scholarships and linking to 20 external scholarship options on its website.

• Estimated tuition cost: $519 per credit hour (in-state); $519 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 85%
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

This is how we rank each school of nursing on our list. These programs must possess nursing accreditation, high acceptance rates, and a strong program reputation.

• Accreditation: These programs receive nursing school accreditation from either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or CCNE.
• Acceptance rates: These are the five easiest nursing programs to get into in Texas.
• Program reputation: These programs have a solid reputation for job placement, hands-on training, and credentialed faculty members with real-world experience.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

There are several types of nursing programs with different curricula, clinical training, and delivery formats. Most traditional BSN degree options require on-campus attendance, whereas many RN-to-BSN bridge programs permit more online coursework.

The BSN degree may require about 60 hours of nursing credits, not including general education requirements. The best nursing schools also provide opportunities to participate in patient-care simulations and other hands-on elements of nursing practice. Once you finish the program, you should have more than adequate preparation for passing the NCLEX-RN exam and obtaining your nursing license in Texas.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

These are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) for aspiring nurses. This section covers topics like coursework difficulty, online programs, and more.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school can be difficult if you do not have a strong background in the health sciences, math, and other nursing subjects. Each college of nursing has different requirements, but many nursing students must devote hours of studying to advanced nursing coursework along with some of the harder math and science courses.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

There is no objective way to say that online schools are easier than traditional programs or vice versa. The best way to assess this is to research each nursing school's acceptance rates, retention rates, and job placement rates. If these figures are higher than average, it may be easier to complete the program, but you can never tell how easy it is until you enroll.

Can I Get Into Nursing School With a Low TEAS Score?

Yes, you can enter an accredited nursing program with a low score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). While some elite schools may require a score of 95% or higher, many universities do not require it or place less emphasis on it. You may need to devote more time to improving your GPA in college before entering competitive nursing programs.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in Texas?

The fastest RN program in Texas takes about 12 months to complete. There are a few colleges that offer an accelerated BSN program you can finish within a year, such as the University of St. Thomas. Some programs on our list offer degrees you can finish within about 15 to 18 months.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in Texas?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports high salaries and a strongnursing career outlook for RNs across the country. The median annual salary for this field is over $93,000, and nursing jobs are growing at about a 6% rate.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest subject in nursing is different for every nursing student. Sometimes, the most difficult courses are the pre-nursing prerequisite courses you need for admission.

These include microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and other rigorous health sciences. If you'd like to finish some courses before beginning a degree program, then consider taking self-paced nursing prerequisites online to confirm whether you can handle difficult nursing topics.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

We invite you to explore everything our website has for prospective healthcare professionals. Learn.org can help you complete nursing licensure requirements by identifying reputable bachelor's degrees and associate degrees for RN licensing in Texas and elsewhere.