Accelerated BSN Programs in Texas (2026)

7 accelerated BSN programs for Texas career changers — partner matches first, then a filterable completion-times directory.

Key takeaways for Texas ABSN students

  • 7 accelerated BSN programs in our Texas directory (duration ≤ 24 months).
  • Shortest listed ABSN in Texas: 15 months.
  • Listed ABSN tuition ranges from $22,000 to $72,000 total.
  • Registered nurses in Texas earn $91,690/year on average (BLS OES).
  • Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state — an RN license issued here can authorize practice in other compact states.

Last verified 2026-09-21.

7

ABSN Programs

15 mo

Fastest Option

$22,000

Lowest Tuition

$92K

Avg RN Salary

Accelerated BSN Programs Listed for Texas

7 accelerated BSN programs — 7 on-campus or hybrid, 0 primarily online.

Free info packetsNo obligationAccredited programs only

7 accelerated BSN programs in our Texas directory (20 BSN pathways total, including longer tracks). Compare completion times below →

Texas BSN / ABSN programs by completion time

Among 20 Texas BSN / ABSN programs with listed completion times, the shortest runs 15 months (ECPI University, BSN) and listed durations extend to 48 months. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.

Delivery

Showing 20 of 20 programs. Default order: shortest duration.

Texas programs sorted by shortest listed completion time; click column headers to re-sort
ECPI UniversityBSNOn Campus15$52,000
Galen College of NursingBSNOn Campus15$46,860
Concordia University Texas – NursingBSNOn Campus16—
University of Texas at ArlingtonBSNOn Campus16$22,000
Texas Lutheran University – NursingBSNOn Campus16—
Texas Lutheran University – NursingBSNOn Campus16—
West Coast UniversityBSNOn Campus18$72,000
Arizona College of NursingBSNOn Campus28$56,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNOn Campus36$69,000
West Coast UniversityBSNOn Campus36$76,000
Chamberlain UniversityBSNHybrid36$69,000
Western Governors UniversityBSNOnline36$35,700
National UniversityBSNOnline36$45,000
Aspen UniversityBSNOnline36$28,800
Joyce University of Nursing and Health SciencesBSNOnline36$52,000
American Public University SystemBSNOnline36$27,000
Excelsior UniversityBSNOnline36$30,000
Texas A&M UniversityBSNOn Campus48$48,000
University of Texas at ArlingtonBSNOn Campus48$36,000
Southern New Hampshire UniversityBSNOnline48$50,400

Source: MyNursingSchools program directory as of 2026-09-21. Programs without a listed duration are omitted.

Why an Accelerated BSN Is the Fastest Path for Career Changers in Texas

Texas lists 7 accelerated tracks against 20 BSN programs overall, the quickest finishing in 15 months. Graduates sit the same NCLEX-RN as traditional BSN graduates and compete for the same Texas hospital postings.

With registered nurses in Texas earning an average of $91,690 per year and 12.1% job growth projected through 2032, an ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.

Texas participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so an ABSN graduate who passes the NCLEX-RN and is licensed in Texas can practice in any of the other compact member states without applying for separate licensure — useful for career changers who anticipate relocating after graduation.

Weighing an ABSN against a traditional BSN, the ADN-then-RN-to-BSN route, or a direct-entry MSN? Compare the four second-degree pathways — typical length, end credential, and who each one suits.

How to Choose an Accelerated BSN Program in Texas

Accreditation

Verify accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Texas hospitals and graduate programs recognize both bodies; non-accredited programs will close doors at hiring.

Clinical Placement Model

Ask whether the program guarantees clinical placement or makes you find your own. In Texas, urban areas have abundant clinical sites; rural and online ABSNs sometimes leave placement to the student, which can delay graduation.

Total Cost & Aid Eligibility

Listed ABSN tuition in Texas ranges from $22,000 to $72,000 total. Ask Texas hospital systems about sponsorship that pays tuition against a 2–3 year post-graduation employment commitment — availability is regional, and it is the single largest lever on net cost.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Track Record

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates across Texas ABSN programs. A pattern of 90%+ first-time pass rates indicates strong curriculum and student support; rates below 80% are a warning sign.

How long does an accelerated BSN take in Texas?
Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs available to Texas students typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, year-round study. Among ABSN programs listed for Texas, the fastest option is 15 months. ABSN programs compress the BSN curriculum by skipping general-education prerequisites already completed during a prior bachelor's degree.
Which Texas schools have the shortest nursing completion times?
Among 20 Texas BSN programs with listed durations, the shortest completion time is 15 months (ECPI University). See the completion-times table on this page for the full ranked list. Program data current as of 2026-09-21.
How to get a BSN in 1.3 years in Texas?
The shortest listed Texas BSN pathway in our directory is 15 months (1.3 years) at ECPI University. Accelerated second-degree ABSN cohorts for career changers commonly finish in 12–18 months after prerequisites. Compare accredited options in the completion-times table below.
Who qualifies for an accelerated BSN program in Texas?
ECPI University, Galen College of Nursing, Concordia University Texas – Nursing and University of Texas at Arlington, plus 2 more — 6 institutions, 7 accelerated tracks listed for Texas, the quickest 15 months. Each sets its own admission bar. RN licences are issued by the Texas board of nursing on a 2-year renewal cycle with 20 CE contact hours required.
How much does an accelerated BSN cost in Texas?
Among ABSN programs listed for Texas, total tuition ranges from $22,000 to $72,000. Public university ABSN tuition tends to be lower; private and accelerated-cohort programs are typically higher because they compress 4 years of curriculum into 12–18 months. Federal financial aid, hospital sponsorships, and specialty loans (e.g., Nurse Faculty Loan Program) can offset costs.
Can I do an accelerated BSN online in Texas?
No. All 7 tracks listed for Texas — at ECPI University, Galen College of Nursing, Concordia University Texas – Nursing and University of Texas at Arlington and 2 more — run campus-based or hybrid, so expect to travel to a physical site for labs.
Is an accelerated BSN worth it in Texas?
For career changers in Texas, the math is favorable. RNs in Texas earn an average of $91,690 per year (BLS May 2024), with 12.1% job growth projected through 2032. An ABSN typically pays back inside 2 to 4 years for in-state public programs and 4 to 7 years for private programs — significantly faster than restarting with a traditional 4-year BSN.
Do Texas hospitals hire new ABSN graduates?
Yes, and the licence travels: Texas is a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a Texas multistate licence is accepted across every other compact state without a second application.

Texas Nursing License Information for ABSN Graduates

Renewal Cycle

2 years

CE Hours Required

20 hours

NLC Compact

Yes — multi-state license

Source: Texas Board of Nursing

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