Accelerated nursing programs in Texas are designed for those who have studied different fields other than nursing and want to earn a nursing certification within a short period of time. Most employers value multi-skilled professionals. This is because people who have gone through these programs are better at making decisions. Such individuals are also quick and possess mature and clinical skills. Currently, nursing is the fastest-growing occupation. Qualified nurses and caregivers responsible for helping patients fighting chronic diseases, and the elderly are the group in high demand. Pursuing the accelerated nursing program either for career shift reasons or just to solve an emerging problem is a decision you’ll never regret. This allows you to use your previous educational experience to meet non-nursing course requirements.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the nursing workforce to grow by 15%. This growth is almost twice the current growth rate in the overall economy within the 2016-2026 period. Registered nurses make up the single largest occupation in the healthcare sector. Despite this, there has been their shortage, especially due to retirement and career advancements. The nursing profession is a wide career path, and anyone hardly encounters a dull moment working. Some of the nursing fields are;
- Flight nurses -provide their services to individuals in need of medical assistance while in transit or victims of a natural disaster.
- Travel nurses – they move from city to city with the greatest demand for medical services to help treat patients, manage the clinics or educate the local staff.
- Emergency room nurses operate in a fast-paced environment and treat patients who need urgent medical attention, either in high-risk situations or accident victims.
- Research nurses- most of the lead researchers among scientists are qualified nurses who are typically among the first to know of any medical development and advances.
If you need help finding a college or university that offers your degree of preference, we can help. Click here to utilize our search engine to find your favorite program. Below are just some of the best institutions in Texas that offer Accelerated Nursing Programs.
Best 12 Accelerated Nursing Programs in Texas
1. Texas Christian University- Fort Worth, Texas (85 points)
Texas Christian University was the first institution in Texas to offer a bachelor’s degree in the nursing field. It has a low student-faculty ratio. This has the advantage of enhanced learning, allowing students to develop clinical reasoning and critical thinking in decision-making. The school boasts of diversity and inclusivity in everything. The university’s rich culture, which has been passed on for close to 150 years, continues to grow strong. The program is a 16-month course, and students have to complete competitive coursework in a short duration. The course has 59 credit hours, distributed in four semesters. Each credit hour costs $1,790.
- The tuition fee is approximately $105,610 for the entire course.
- The acceptance rate is 47%
- The graduation rate is 77%
2. Concordia University-Austin, Texas (83points)
Concordia University in Austin, Texas, is a private university that offers Christian-centred education. The accelerated program is a 16-month course having a combination of different teaching methodologies. These include; real-world technical training, online coursework, and lab training. The nursing programs offered equip students with professional nursing full care and compassion. The program is offered a year thrice, and the waistline is close to zero. To be considered in the school, one should have a minimum of 60 credits either by the completion of required preconditions online or through prior education.
- The tuition fee is $48,900 for the whole program
- The acceptance rate is 90%
- The graduation rate is 36%
3. Baylor University- Waco, Texas (79 points)
Baylor University is a private Baptist research university that offers accelerated nursing programs. Its Louise Herrington School of Nursing has a 12-month accelerated track for the postgraduate program. It takes up to 62 hours to complete the nursing course. It’s a full-time program combining different teaching methods like online classes, hybrid interactive learning courses, and traditional classroom learning. The program has a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Innovation for graduate students to offer specialized services like nurse-midwifery, pediatric, family, and neonatal.
- The tuition fee is estimated at $66,798 for the entire program.
- The acceptance rate is 45%
- The graduation rate is 74%
4. Texas A&M University College of Nursing – Round Rock (77 points)
Texas A&M University College of Nursing offers a Second Degree BSN track. It is a 15-month, accelerated program available only to applicants with a previous bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field of study. Prior to entry, students must complete approximately 59 semester credit hours of prerequisite courses in the humanities and biological, physical and behavioral sciences to provide a foundation for growth in the nursing major if not completed in their first degree. Prerequisite coursework may be completed at any regionally accredited college or university. The four-semester Accelerated Second Degree BSN degree track is delivered on the Round Rock Campus while the five-semester Traditional BSN degree track is delivered on the Bryan-College Station campus.
- The tuition & fees are $12,340 for residents (Fall/Spring), $39,750 for nonresidents (Fall/Spring)
- The acceptance rate is 31% (Round Rock Campus) for January 2021
- The graduation rate is 83% for the overall university (Texas A&M University-College Station)
5. University of Houston- Texas (74points)
The University of Houston offers traditional face-to-face classes on campus. Its accelerated nursing program is a full-time 12 months course. It prepares students for practical roles like nurse administrators, nurse educators, or nurse practitioners. The institution’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The supportive professors coupled with the conducive learning environment provided at the University of Houston enables students at this institution to excel in their academic careers.
- The tuition fee is approximately $14,283 for the whole course.
- The acceptance rate is 65%
- The graduation rate is 59%
6. University of Texas Health Science Center – San Antonio (70 points)
The University of Texas health science center is the best nursing school in South Texas. It has strategically collaborated with all major San Antonio area hospitals and clinics. Its accelerated nursing course is a 15-month program that has been divided into four semesters. The program prepares its students to be competent professionals in the nursing field with its affordable programs. Students are required to meet some criteria like completing 51 out of the 60 hours of the prerequisite courses, particularly in math and science courses.
- The tuition fee is $6,808 for the whole program
- The acceptance rate is 100%
- The graduation rate is 92%
7. University of Texas- Tyler, and Longview (68 points)
University of Texas nursing school is beautiful and offers a serene environment for the students to thrive academically. The school emphasizes lifelong learning, critical thinking, and decision-making to ensure students are well equipped for the opportunities ahead. This program takes 16 months on a full-time basis and is offered every spring. The school boasts of an impressive graduation rate of 93% on the first attempt of NCLEX-RN. Its graduates are offered various opportunities to work in different clinical settings.
- The tuition fee is $43,047 for the entire program
- The acceptance rate is 32%
- The graduation rate is 81%
8. Texas Technical University Health Sciences Centre, Lubbock & El Paso (66points)
Texas Tech University health science center is a public university that has grown over the years to become one of the best nursing schools that offer accelerated nursing programs. Students undertake a 12-month having 61 semester credit hours of fast-paced learning in a challenging environment that helps them to be the best in their various careers. The program span includes three semesters, and some of the courses taught include concepts of chronic care nursing, basic nursing skills, and mental health nursing. The program is also available online, guided by a clinical nursing faculty.
- The tuition fee is$5,837 for the year
- The acceptance rate is N/A
- The graduation rate is 93%
9. University of the Incarnate Word – San Antonio, Texas ( 63 points)
The University of the Incarnate Word is ranked the top in Texas as the largest Catholic university. It offers a traditional, accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing for any student who intends to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam (National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse). The university welcomes any applicant who has completed specific nursing preconditions and some general education requirements. It’s a full-time 16-month program that has been accredited by the commission on collegiate nursing education.
- The tuition fee is $58,410 for the whole course
- The acceptance rate is 94%
- The graduation rate is 50%
10. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas (62 points)
Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi, offers world-class education for its students. The nursing students enjoy state of the art simulation laboratories and hi-tech infrastructure. They also use the latest technology for both online and traditional face-to-face learning. Its accelerated BSN takes about four semesters, and it is offered each year during the fall. The nursing program is intensive, while its experienced faculty offer a conducive learning environment for a flourishing nursing career.
- The tuition fee is estimated at $6,543 for the whole course
- The acceptance rate is 80%
- The graduation rate is 34%
11. Texas Lutheran University- Seguin, Texas (59 points)
Texas Lutheran University is a small, private, liberal arts and professional programs college located in Seguin, Texas, just 35 miles from San Antonio and 50 miles from Austin. With approximately 1,400 students and classes averaging fewer than 20 students, TLU students engage in high-impact educational experiences that include civic engagement, aesthetic expression, and critical thinking in an environment that fosters open dialogue and the freedom to share and discover diverse thoughts and ideas. While a primary emphasis is on teaching at TLU, faculty also engage students in collaborative research and scholarly activity which enriches the teaching and learning environment.
In addition to its 27 majors, 37 minors, and four graduate programs, TLU offers an accredited Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN) nursing track within its BSN program. ABSN students are able to create a new career path following 16 months (60 credits) of full-time enrollment in the ABSN track. The TLU Department of Nursing has maintained an average NCLEX pass rate of >90% since the program began in 2014. This may be attributed to the average number of students in the program, which averages 25-35 learners in each cohort. Graduates of the TLU nursing program are well equipped for nursing practice with more than 900 hours of hands-on training, clinical experience, and simulation. At least 95% of its students get employed after graduation.
- The tuition fee is approximately $52,500 for the entire program
- The university acceptance rate is 56%
- The university graduation rate is 53%
12. Howard College-Big spring, Texas (55 points)
Howard College has been in existence for close to 75 years and has sustained its learning credibility over the years. There are various processes that one has to undergo before enrolling in the school. It constitutes a total of 60 credit hours distributed in 4 semesters. Apart from face-to-face classes, the school also provides online lectures that are approved by the Texas Board of Nursing as well as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Additionally, the school’s programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Its most recent course accreditation made by the ACEN Board of commissioners was the associate degree.
The school has vocational programs for nurses who have recently completed their Vocational Nurses (VN) program requirements or have been practicing for a period of one year or more and wish to further their education and become registered nurses.
- The tuition fee is approximately $24,966 per year
- The acceptance rate is 100%
- The graduation rate is 21%
Our Ranking Method
This ranking was based on the analysis of best software data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and the respective university websites. The schools were ranked based on tuition amounts and acceptance rate. Both factors were accorded 50 points, and each school assigned points based on how it compared with others on tuition amounts and acceptance rates. The points earned for both ranking factors were then added together to get each school’s total score. The school with the most points ranked first in the list, and the points were awarded down the list accordingly.
We strive to provide current and accurate information to our readers to ensure they get to find their desired schools. If you are associated with one of the schools ranked above, and you noticed an error in the information provided, please feel free to contact and alert us. We are always ready to make any necessary corrections.
