Austin is one of the Southwest’s best places to start a career in nursing. The broader metro area has a population of 12,000 registered nurses (RNs) earning over $63,000 per year on average, 3,200 licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) with a median annual salary of $44,500, and 4,700 certified nursing assistants (CNAs) earning about $24,000 per year. While the opportunity for success in this city is promising, you must demonstrate the ability to juggle a variety of technical, physical, and emotional tasks to get your foot in the door. This can be accomplished with the right education and training.

RNs treat patients, administer medications, perform diagnostic tests, operate medical equipment, and establish care plans for the sick or injured. RNs typically hold an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); many also pursue a master of science in nursing (MSN). Employers in Austin (and throughout the country) are demonstrating an increasing preference for BSN- or MSN-educated nurses.

LVNs care for the sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the supervision of more senior medical staff. CNAs assist patients with day-to-day tasks such as bathing, dressing, and eating, and they often check the patient’s vital signs. Both roles must complete a specialized certificate program before launching their careers, and LVNs must also pass a national examination.

Graduates of Austin’s top nursing schools are prepared to seek positions at major local hospitals and healthcare centers. These include University Medical Center Brackenridge, Heart Hospital of Austin, Seton Northwest Hospital, and Austin State Hospital.

To aid Austin’s aspiring nurses, we’ve compiled below a complete list of local nursing schools that offer CNA, LVN, ADN, BSN, and MSN programs.

Austin nursing schools by NCLEX score

Texas State University
1555 University Boulevard | Round Rock, Texas 78665
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 98.7% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2020)
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Leadership and Administration
  • MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Temple College - Taylor
516 North Main Street | Taylor, Texas 76574
  • Certificate in Vocational Nursing: 97.0% NCLEX pass rate (2011 through 2020)
University of Texas at Austin
1710 Red River Street | Austin, Texas 78712
  • Direct Entry MSN: 94.8% NCLEX pass rate (2011 through 2020)
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 94.0% NCLEX pass rate (2011 through 2020)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Baccalaureate PhD
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Concordia University Texas
11400 Concordia University Drive | Austin, Texas 78726
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 94.3% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2020)
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Austin Community College
3401 Webberville Road | Austin, Texas 78702
  • Certificate in Vocational Nursing: 94.2% NCLEX pass rate (2011 through 2020)
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 93.9% NCLEX pass rate (2011 through 2020)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
South University, Austin
1220 West Louis Henna Boulevard | Round Rock, Texas 78681
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 89.2% NCLEX pass rate (2017 through 2020)
Western Governors University Texas
12515 Research Boulevard, Building Eight, Suite 250 | Austin, Texas 78759
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 85.6% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2020)
CyberTex Institute of Technology
6300 La Calma Drive, Suite 350 | Austin, Texas 78752
  • Certificate in Vocational Nursing: 65.7% NCLEX pass rate (2016 through 2020)
Aspen University - Austin
1015 West University Avenue, Suite 700 | Georgetown, Texas 78628
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Galen College of Nursing - Austin
1201 West Louis Henna Boulevard, Building B | Austin, Texas 78681
  • Diploma in Vocational Nursing
  • LVN-to-ADN Bridge Program
  • Three-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
School Program NCLEX score Time period
Texas State University Bachelor of Science in Nursing 98.7% 2012 to 2020
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Leadership and Administration
MSN: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Temple College - Taylor Certificate in Vocational Nursing 97.0% 2011 to 2020
University of Texas at Austin Direct Entry MSN 94.8% 2011 to 2020
Bachelor of Science in Nursing 94.0% 2011 to 2020
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Baccalaureate PhD
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Concordia University Texas Bachelor of Science in Nursing 94.3% 2012 to 2020
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Austin Community College Certificate in Vocational Nursing 94.2% 2011 to 2020
Associate Degree in Nursing 93.9% 2011 to 2020
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
South University, Austin Bachelor of Science in Nursing 89.2% 2017 to 2020
Western Governors University Texas Bachelor of Science in Nursing 85.6% 2012 to 2020
CyberTex Institute of Technology Certificate in Vocational Nursing 65.7% 2016 to 2020
Aspen University - Austin Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Galen College of Nursing - Austin Diploma in Vocational Nursing
LVN-to-ADN Bridge Program
Three-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Category: 
Texas