With an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can become a Registered Nurse (RN). However, growing in the field and earning more will require you to have a BSN degree.
One of the easiest ways to transition from RN to BSN is through online programs, and Texas is one of the best locations for this in the USA. But you need to know the Texas Colleges offering the cheapest RN to BSN online programs.
Stopping or disrupting work to continue education may not always be the best choice to make. While an online RN to BSN program is flexible and convenient, it is also quite affordable. It is a choice more nurses are taking to upgrade their education, so why not you?
In this article, we will discuss what an RN to BSN really entails. We will also tell you why you should consider an online option of RN to BSN in Texas.
From there, we will show you the most affordable online RN to BSN in Texas and answer other questions you have on the subject. Do stay with us.
Table of contents
- What is the RN to BSN?
- Why an Online RN to BSN in Texas?
- Cheapest RN to BSN Programs in Texas
- #1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- #2. Texas Woman’s University
- #3. The University Of Texas at Tyler
- #4. West Texas A&M University
- #5. Lamar University
- #6. The University Of Texas at Arlington
- #7. Midwestern State University
- #8. McMurry University
- #9. University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston
- #10. University of Texas-El Paso
- Conclusion
- References
- We Also Recommend
What is the RN to BSN?
RN simply means Registered Nurse. BSN, on the other hand, is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. With just a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can become an RN after passing your licensing examination.
This is the fastest way to get into the nursing profession. However, the nursing profession will demand that you continue your education to gain more expertise in the field.
Also, a nurse with a BSN degree takes on greater responsibilities in the workplace and a bigger salary. So, you may find an entry-level BSN nurse earning higher than you with an ADN who has been working for four years.
The best thing to do in this situation is to upgrade your education. This is basically what RN-to-BSN entails – a transition from ADN to BSN.
Luckily, this transitioning is not a new trend. Colleges upon Colleges in the USA offer programs for Registered Nurses to acquire a BSN if they already have an ADN. These programs build on the RN’s ADN program, thus making them acquire a BSN degree in a shorter time.
All you need is to decide to make this transition, then choose the school and the mode of transition.
Different nursing degrees are earned at various levels. See more on Types of Nursing Majors | Where can I work with a Nursing Degree?
Why an Online RN to BSN in Texas?
Going by the numbers, there are 28 schools in Texas offering RN to BSN programs in Texas. These programs are either online programs, campus-based, or hybrid. 28 is a good number, which implies that there are enough options for you to pick from.
Also, you must already know by now that online BSN degrees are credible. Many of them have backing by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means that employers respect your online BSN degree.
Fortunately, Texas Colleges offering online RN to BSN programs have any of this accreditation and approval by the Texas Board of Nursing. So, there is no fear of your BSN credibility if you choose to study online in Texas.
Most Importantly, Texas RN to BSN online programs is one of the cheapest in the USA. You will confirm this further down this post.
What Should I Expect in an Online RN to BSN Program in Texas?
To further help you decide to gain your BSN degree online in Texas, you should know the following:
- Program Length – On online RN to BSN program in Texas will take you anywhere from 15 months to three (3) years to complete. This, however, depends on your unique situation and the Texas school you choose.
- Accreditation – Not every RN to BSN online program in Texas has accreditation. So, you may need to ensure that the Texas program you select has ACEN or CCNE accreditation. However, all our cheapest online RN to BSN programs in Texas have accreditation. Nothing for you to worry about.
- Coursework – Texas online RN to BSN courses builds on courses you took during ADN or diploma. Hence, your online program will dwell thoroughly on more specific nursing education. Some of these courses include Community Health Practice for RNs, Management and Leadership, and Professional Nursing Practice.
- Clinical Training – You may not have to complete unpaid clinical training for your online program. You have completed this requirement by working as a licensed RN in Texas during your ADN program.
What is the Admission Requirements for Online Texas RN to BSN Programs?
The admission requirements for online RN to BSN programs in Texas vary by schools. It is not wise to apply one school’s requirements to other schools. However, you can get an idea of what other schools will require for your online RN to BSN program from one school’s requirements.
So, here is the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston admission requirements:
- An associate’s degree or diploma in nursing.
- Active RN license or ability to secure a license in the first semester of enrollment.
- 2.75 GPA or higher in the required 60 hours of nursing prerequisites.
- 3.0 or higher in the required science prerequisites.
Besides this, some other common RN to BSN program admission requirements include:
- A copy of your HESI A2 Entrance Exam score report;
- Official transcript from any postsecondary school you attended;
- Up-to-date immunizations;
- Health Care Provider Basic Life Support CPR certification; and
- A clear drug screen and criminal background check.
Yet to upgrade to an RN? Then, check out these 13 Affordable Online LPN to RN Programs for Nurses.
How Different is the RN’s Pay from an RN with BSN?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the 2018 average pay for Registered Nurses is $71,730 per year. 3,059,800 nursing jobs were available in 2018 and the job is expected to grow by 12% from 2018 to 2028.
However, this salary figure is not specific to the kind of Registered Nurse – whether ADN RN or BSN RN.
Nursejournal.org helps us differentiate these professionals’ pay, however. Below, we will share their Payscale analysis of the ADN RS and BSN RN pay as they progress in the nursing profession.
| Experience | RNs with ADN average Salary | RNs with BSN average Salary |
| Less than 1 year | $57,088 | $70,532 |
| 1-4 Years | $60,985 | $73,500 |
| 5-9 Years | $67,115 | $77,352 |
| 10-19 Years | $70,011 | $83,534 |
| 20+ Years | $72,575 | $86,948 |
It is clear from the above that the RN with ADN will never earn the same as an RN with BSN at any point in their career. Thus, an RN passionate about advancing in their career must need transit to a BNS.
Cheapest RN to BSN Programs in Texas
We believe we have sold you on getting an RN to a BNS degree in Texas. If we haven’t sold you, however, continue with us to know the cheapest RN to BSN programs in Texas.
Our criteria for selecting the cheapest RN to BSN Programs in Texas is simply by tuition fees. Still, we ensured that our cheapest schools have relevant accreditation and provide quality education.
Note
In places where we provided tuition fees for both Texas Resident and NonResidents, we ranked based on the tuition fees for Residents.
Here is the list of the cheapest online RN to BSN programs in Texas:
- Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
- Texas Woman’s University
- The University Of Texas At Tyler
- West Texas A&M University
- Lamar University
- The University Of Texas at Arlington
- Midwestern State University
- McMurry University
- University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston
- University of Texas-El Paso
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#1. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
Tuition: $6,210; NonResident of Texas – $18,870.
Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) began operation as a public medical school in 1969 Lubbock, Texas.
It has over 4,000 students and offers its academic programs in its Lubbock campus and four other campuses in Texas. These other campuses are the Abilene, Amarillo, Dallas, El Paso, and the Permian Basin campuses.
Furthermore, TTUHSC offers its programs through three schools. These are the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Pharmacy.
Meanwhile, Texas Tech University Health Science Center’s School of Nursing offers its RN to BSN program online. This is to ensure that working RNs can access academic education by computer at work or at home wherever or whenever they want to study. The total program length is two to three semesters or 30 semester credit hours.
#2. Texas Woman’s University
Tuition: Residents – $6,210; NonResident of Texas – $18,870.
Accreditation: CCNE
Texas Woman’s University (TWU) is one of the four independent public universities in Texas that is not affiliated with any of the public university systems in the state.
It is also the largest state-supported university in the USA primarily for women. It began operating in 1901 in Denton, Texas and has over 15,000 students.
Furthermore, Texas Woman’s University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in over 60 fields of studies. It does this through its six colleges, including its College of nursing.
Additionally, while this Texas school operates teaches students in classes with 30 or fewer students, it also offers some of its programs online.
TWU’s RN to BSN program is a 100% online program. It is for registered nurses with an ADN or diploma who will advance their careers by earning a bachelor’s degree. The program offers you the flexibility of working full time while learning.
#3. The University Of Texas at Tyler
Tuition: Residents – $6,540; Texas NonResident – $20,760
Accreditation: CCNE.
The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) is a public university in Tyler, Texas. It began in 1971 and has a student population of over 10,000 students taking undergraduate and graduate programs at the university.
UT Tyler academics comprise five professional colleges and one traditional College of Arts and Sciences. However, UT Tyler also offers programs online.
Its Nursing RN to BSN Track is one of the cheapest in Texas which you can complete online through virtual classrooms. This UT Tyler’s nursing program gives RNs the opportunity to advance their careers while gaining flexible clinical experiences in community and leadership.
Also, even with the affordable tuition fees, UT Tyler offers you the opportunity to make your payments in installations.
You can start a career in nursing with any of these Top 20 Affordable Online LPN Programs HERE
#4. West Texas A&M University
Tuition: $8,250
Accreditation: CCNE
West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) began in 1910 and is part of the Texas A&M University System. It is a public university in Canyon, Texas with over 17,000 students taking a program in any of its six colleges and schools.
However, while this notable Texas university offers its programs online, it also has a reputation for offering a good number of quality programs online. It offers three undergraduate and two master’s programs completely online.
Its RN to BSN program is one of such programs the university offers wholly online. The program is flexible as it allows working nurses to advance in their careers while working.
Also, WTAMU’s online RN to BSN program is one of the cheapest in Texas with its special $225 scholarship for each RN-BSN required course.
#5. Lamar University
Tuition: $8,340
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Lamar University, with its motto, “Living the Legacy, Inventing the Future,” is a remarkable university in Beaumont, Texas. It began in 1925 and has been a member of the Texas University System since 1995.
Lamar has over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students taking degree programs in any of its seven academic colleges. While these programs are available on-campus, Lamar also has programs which it offers online.
Its 30 credit hour RN to BSN program is one of such degree programs. Lamar’s RN to BSN online program is also one of the cheapest in Texas.
You can complete the program in 13 months and gain the knowledge and skills you need to practice nursing professionally across multiple healthcare settings.
#6. The University Of Texas at Arlington
Tuition: $8,995
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) began as Arlington College in 1895. It is a public university in Arlington, Texas which is also a member of the University of Texas System.
UTA is the 3rd largest producer of college graduates in Texas and it has over 42,000 students. Meanwhile, this large public Texas college offers over 180 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to its students through its 10 colleges and school.
Its College of Nursing and Health Innovation produces the largest number of RNs in Texas. While this college offers its programs traditionally in classrooms, it also offers its RN to BSN program online.
UTA’s Online RN to BSN program is a 35 credit hour program with one of the cheapest tuition fees in Texas. The program is so flexible that it has multiple start dates in a year to accommodate your busy schedule.
Meanwhile, UTA’s online RN to BSN provides research-based nursing science, principles of nursing leadership, and a liberal arts foundation.
#7. Midwestern State University
Tuition: $9,601
Accreditation: CCNE
Midwestern State University or MSU Texas began in 1922 as a public university in Wichita Falls, Texas. It is a small university with about 6,000 students.
However, it offers both undergraduate and graduates degree programs through its seven colleges, including its Wilson School of Nursing. While MSU offers most of its programs on its physical campus, it also offers some of its academic programs online.
MSU’s RN to BSN Program by the Wilson School of Nursing is one of such programs MSU offers wholly online.
This online RN to BSN program by MSU is one of the cheapest in Texas. It is a 27 credit hour program that offers a flexible study plan for working nurses.
Don’t get frustrated on the web searching for answers to nursing-related queries. See the 10 Most Useful Website Online for Nursing Students.
#8. McMurry University
Tuition: $9,750
Accreditation: CCNE
McMurry University is a private university in Abilene, Texas. It began in 1923 and has an affiliation with the United Methodist Church. Thus, 27% of its over 1,100 students are Methodist students.
Also, 95% of McMurry’s students are Texans.
Nonetheless, it doesn’t make the school any less qualitative. McMurry offers 45 majors and 9 pre-professional programs including, nursing, and dentistry.
McMurry’s RN to BSN program is one of its programs that you can take 100% online. This Texas RN to BSN program provides an affordable alternative to nurses in Texas who would not have the time and finances to gain a BNS program the traditional way.
Also, McMurry’s RN-BSN online program allows RNs with ADN and diploma to further develop clinical reasoning and analytical skills needed in the profession.
#9. University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston
Tuition: $10,075
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) began in 1972 in Texas Medical Center – the largest medical center in the world.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents created this public academic health center and UTHealth has over 5,000 students. These students are enrolled in one of its six schools, including the Cizik School of Nursing.
Although the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth is at Bertner, Houston, it offers some of its programs online. Its RN to BSN program is an online program in Texas that provides flexible enrollment options.
Also, this cheap RN to BSN program in Texas has a three-semester and two-semester completion plan in which working nurses can choose to complete the 31 credit hour program.
#10. University of Texas-El Paso
Tuition: $10,083.6
Accreditation: CCNE
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is another of the University of Texas System universities. UTEP began in 1914 at El Paso, Texas, and has over 25,000 students.
With its motto as “Science and Humanities,” UTEP is one school that is passionate about its research offerings. Also, it is the second-largest university in the USA with the most Mexican American student population.
UTEP offers 74 undergraduate degrees, 76 master’s degrees, and 22 doctoral degrees through its eight (8) schools and colleges.
All these programs are not offered at the El Paso campus, however. UTEP also offers online programs, of which its RN to BSN degree is one of its most reputable programs.
The RN to BSN online degree plan is a 100% online program in Texas and quite affordable. You can complete this 30 credit hour program in two and a half-semester and gain the professional knowledge you need to advance in your career.
Conclusion
At a stage in your nursing profession as an RN with ADN, you’ll need to upgrade to a BSN. This upgrade will not only boost your salary but also helps you advance in your career.
So, when it gets to that point where you have to get a BN in Nursing as an RN with ADN consider an online option.
An online RN to BSN gives you the flexibility to complete your program from anywhere while still working. Also, if you decide to complete an online RN to BSN program in Texas, you will pay less for top-quality education.
References
- Top RN to BSN – Best Online RN to BSN in Texas
- Nursing Process – Texas RN to BSN Programs Guide + 2023 Rankings
- Nurse Journal – BSN Degree vs RN Differences
- UTHealth – SON RN-BSN Admissions Requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook: Registered Nurses
- UTEP – UTEP RN-to-BSN Frequently Asked Questions
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