Best 2-Year Nursing Programs in Texas (ASN & ADN Online)

Aspiring registered nurses (RNs) can complete 2-year nursing programs to prepare for professional nursing careers. There are many schools across Texas that offer RN programs, including options for entry-level students and those with prior college coursework. Continue reading to find out more about 2-year nursing programs.

What Is a 2-Year Nursing Program?

A 2-year nursing program is the pathway for a student to become a nurse. Nursing school develops the expertise and skills of students, enabling them to provide effective and safe patient care. Students learn about concepts such as anatomy and physiology, as well as various health concepts that arise in nursing care.

RN programs at the associate level are typically referred to as an ADN, or Associate Degree in Nursing. While some nursing programs specifically lead to an ADN, most nursing programs lead to a degree that either says Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN).

Associate of Science in Nursing

An Associate of Science in Nursing is typically more career and skill-focused than a program that leads to an ADN. Students are more likely to dive deeper into specific nursing concepts and skills, as well as spend more time completing hands-on practice. ASNs are the most common type of nursing degree offered, whether offered as an on-campus or online ASN program.

Associate Degree in Nursing

Many schools state that their nursing programs lead to ADN degrees, but a lot of times, the ADN is used interchangeably with an ASN. Programs that are actually ADN degree programs consist of more general or non-clinical coursework. For example, an online ADN program may consist of two social sciences courses, while an ASN requires an additional nursing course and only one social sciences class.

Are There Online 2-Year Nursing Degrees in Texas?

To develop the necessary healthcare skills and knowledge, nursing students have to complete a predetermined number of hands-on practice hours. These criteria are set by the state board of nursing, and are built into RN preparation programs. Some programs and schools allow nursing students to complete some of their coursework online, but no RN program is available as a fully online option.

Best 2-Year ASN and ADN Programs in Texas

More than 60 schools across Texas offer two-year registered nursing programs, and many of them offer bachelor's degree nursing options as well. The top ten RN programs that are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBN) are discussed below.

1. Panola College

Panola College offers a two-year in-person registered nursing program that students can begin every spring and fall semester. Students can alternatively pursue the LVN-entry program available in a hybrid format and takes one year to complete.

Both of the RN programs lead to an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and are fully accredited. Students can also enroll in the dual-degree program that leads to both the AAS, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from a partnering university.

• Estimated tuition cost: $60 per credit
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Blinn College

Blinn College offers several nursing program options, including a two-year AAS and a one-year LVN-entry option. Blinn also has partnerships with other institutions that enable students to earn a BSN more quickly after the AAS, including the Texas A&M University collaboration that takes only one additional semester. Both AAS program options integrate some amount of online coursework with on-campus class components, and include coursework in childbearing family care, leadership, and adult health.

• Estimated tuition cost: $64 (in-state) or $123 (out-of-state) per credit
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACEN

3. Hill College

Hill College offers both a traditional ADN program and a transition option for LVNs and paramedics. The traditional program consists of two years of full-time coursework, while the transition option is a three-semester hybrid program. Students take classes in adult health, physiology, pharmacology, and mental health nursing.

• Estimated tuition cost: $97 (in-district) to $297 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, TBN

4. South Texas College

South Texas College offers a two-year ADN program at its McAllen campus that integrates in-person learning and practicum experiences. Students can take general education courses online or on campus, and learn about surgical nursing, mental health nursing, and other professional nursing topics. South Texas College also offers a three-semester hybrid program for existing LVNs and paramedics.

• Estimated tuition cost: $164 (in-district) to $254 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACEN

5. Texas Southmost College

Texas Southmost College offers a two-year ADN program based on its Brownsville campus, as well as an LVN-entry option. Students can take general education courses on campus or online, and attend in-person lab and clinical experiences on-site. The program is learner-centered and designed to support successful professional nursing careers, and includes courses in microbiology, psychology, maternal nursing, and leadership.

• Estimated tuition cost: $302 (in-district) to $377 (out-of-state) per credit
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, TBN

6. North Central Texas College

With several campuses available, North Central Texas College (NCTC) offers flexibility to students across programs. NCTC has a traditional on-campus RN program as well as a hybrid LVN-entry program.

The hybrid program consists of primarily online coursework and leaves the bulk of clinical hours for the final semester of the program. Both programs emphasize patient-centered care along with evidence-based practice and teamwork in healthcare.

• Estimated tuition cost: $112 (in-district) to $205 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACEN

7. Texas Junior College

Texas Junior College (TJC) has two options for the traditional ADN program, as well as transition program options for LVNs and paramedics. Traditional ADN students can choose from a two-year on-campus program or a 15-month hybrid program. The 15-month program integrates evening courses and online coursework along with the in-person requirements, and students progress through the accelerated program as a cohort (group).

• Estimated tuition cost: $139 (in-district) to $227 (out-of-state) per credit
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA)

8. Cisco College

Cisco College offers three registered nursing programs:

• Traditional ADN
• LPN-to-ADN
• ADN/BSN degree

The traditional program is offered on-campus and takes two years to complete, while the LPN program can be completed in one year. The ADN/BSN enables students to complete their ADN and then earn their BSN through two semesters of online coursework.

• Estimated tuition cost: $157 (in-district) to $238 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Howard College

Howard College offers a two-year ADN program that is fully in-person during the first year but shifts to a hybrid format in year two. LPNs can alternatively complete the one-year transition program, which is also offered in a hybrid format. The programs are available at the San Angelo and Big Spring campuses, and the hybrid format integrates clinical experience requirements with fully online coursework.

• Estimated tuition cost: $72 (in-district) to $179 (out-of-state) per credit
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, ACEN

10. Texas State Technical College

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) offers a hybrid LVN-to-RN program at its Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses. The program combines hands-on training with online coursework and can be completed in 20 months of full-time study. There are several scholarships available to nursing students, and coursework includes mental health nursing, microbiology, psychology, and lifespan growth.

• Estimated tuition cost: $307 (in-state) or $461 (out-of-state) per credit
• Accreditation: SACSCOC, TBN

How We Rank Schools

Our team reviewed dozens of RN programs to find the top options across Texas. Key criteria that we consider in choosing schools include cost, program length, admissions requirements, and reputation.

• Accreditation: All schools included in our list have institutional accreditation and are also approved by the TBN for the preparation of registered nurses.
• Program length: Each featured program can be completed in two years or less for new college students, or in one year for eligible healthcare professionals.
• Program reputation: Each program utilizes evidence-based practice and methods through hands-on practice experiences and classes taught by experienced nurses.

FAQs About 2-Year Nursing Programs in Texas

If you are considering a nursing program, you should decide what characteristics are the most important in your decision. For example, do you prefer to complete your coursework and clinicals in a larger city, such as Dallas, or are you more interested in rural healthcare settings? The top FAQ answers may help you develop a clearer idea of what programs will work best for you.

How Long Is an RN Program in Texas?

RN programs typically take two years of full-time study to complete, and many do not offer flexibility regarding the program length. Students usually progress as a cohort and follow a specific degree plan in their preparation for professional nursing practice and licensure.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse in Texas?

The fastest way to become a nurse depends on your background, but high school graduates can become nurses most quickly through a traditional two-year program. LPNs can become RNs in one year through transition programs, while students with a baccalaureate degree can alternatively complete an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN).

What Is the Easiest Nursing School in Texas?

The easiest nursing schools enable students to balance work and family responsibilities with their programs. Many students prefer hybrid programs because they offer increased flexibility for classes while still developing the necessary skills. The educational requirements for nurses are established to prepare nurses for the NCLEX-RN exam as well as for nursing practice overall.

How Hard Are ABSN Programs in Texas?

ABSN programs offer non-nurses an accelerated BSN that leads to RN licensure with a deeper study of nursing topics. ABSN programs are similar to ADNs but include more advanced coursework, such as physiology II and related health sciences classes. There are accredited online nursing degree programs that lead to the ABSN.

What Are the Prerequisites for a 2-Year Nursing Program?

Admissions requirements vary by school, but typically include a few things: a specific GPA, a background check, specific immunizations, and a drug screening. Some schools also require certain prerequisite courses, such as biology and mathematics. The easiest nursing programs to get into have less stringent GPA and prerequisite requirements.

Discover Nursing Programs

Explore more of the best nursing programs on Learn.org, and find out which schools offer affordable and accelerated options. Contact the schools that interest you to find out more.