Austin Community College ADN costs $6,730. Here is what it pays back.
An associate degree in nursing (ADN) in Austin, 4 semesters of nursing courses. In 2025, 315 of its 331 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN.
The short version
- It has the lowest published cost of the 2 RN programs in the Austin area that publish one, $98,661 less than the next lowest, South University BSN.
- Its 2025 pass rate of 95.2% was 6.5 points above the Texas average. In 2024 it was 0.4 points above.
- It is the Austin area's only associate degree (ADN) program.
- It is the area's largest RN program, with 331 first-time test takers in 2025.
These findings are generated from the numbers on this page and change when the data does. How we write them
Is it a fit for you?
Based on the program's schedule, length and requirements.
- Good fit: You meet, or can meet, the entry requirements.
- Less of a fit: You need a bachelor's degree at graduation.
Where the money goes
Three of every four dollars goes to nursing courses, 4 semesters: tuition, fees, testing, software and course materials (in district). ACC's grand total of $9,724 (in district) also counts $2,994 of prerequisite and co-requisite courses and the entrance exam, which we show separately. Out of district the grand total is $21,784; recent local high school graduates can qualify for $0 tuition.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Clearances, health requirements, lab pack, equipment and uniforms before classes start | $1,157 |
| Nursing courses, 4 semesters: tuition, fees, testing, software and course materials (in district) | $5,193 |
| Pin, NCLEX-RN and Texas licensure | $380 |
| Total 1 | $6,730 |
Not included: prerequisite courses and living costs. Undated estimate.
When it pays you back
If you set aside 10% of the Austin RN median wage, about $816 a month, the $6,730 cost is covered in about 0.7 years of work.
Before taxes and loan interest, and assuming work starts right after licensing. Red is money still owed to yourself; green is money ahead. Why we use 10%
The real cost of getting licensed
The program price is not the whole bill. Here is what stands between today and a license, with what we know and what we don't.
| Piece | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Prerequisites (see requirements, plus an entrance exam) | $2,994 | Data coming soon |
| Austin Community College ADN, including licensing fees | $6,730 | 4 semesters of nursing courses |
| Living costs while in school | Not included | |
| Total before living costs | $9,724 | 4 semesters of nursing courses |
Prerequisite courses at Austin Community College's own rates, from the same cost sheet. Taking them elsewhere can cost more or less. How we count cost
Will graduates pass the NCLEX-RN?
In 2025, 315 of Austin Community College's 331 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN. Its rate rose from 93.1% in 2024 to 95.2%. 2
Bars start at 70% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: 3456
What nurses earn around Austin
Payback time uses the middle wage. Here is the wider picture.
How it compares in the Austin area
The 8 programs in the area that lead to an RN license.
| Program | Cost | Pass rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College ADN (this program) | $6,730 | 95.2%315 of 331 | 0.7 yrs |
| South University BSN | $105,391 | 88.5%23 of 26 | 10.8 yrs |
| Concordia University BSN | Not published | 97.8%135 of 138 | Can't calculate: cost |
| Fairfield University BSN | Not published | 93.5%29 of 31 | Can't calculate: cost |
| St. Edward’s University BSN | Not published | 100%2 of 2 | Can't calculate: cost |
| Texas State University BSN | Not published | 100%84 of 84 | Can't calculate: cost |
| University of Texas at Austin BSN | Not published | 90.9%110 of 121 | Can't calculate: cost |
| University of Texas at Austin Alternate Entry MSN | Not published | 90.6%48 of 53 | Can't calculate: cost |
Similar programs
Picked by rule from programs with published data, never by payment.
Program facts
- Length
- 4 semesters of nursing courses
- Schedule
- Traditional, mobility (licensed or certified) and LVN alternate-entry tracks
- Starts
- Fall and spring
- Before you apply
- Prerequisite and co-requisite courses (Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, English Composition I, Ethics, General Psychology and others), ranked by GPA, the HESI entrance exam and review points.
- Entrance exam
- HESI Admission Assessment
- Credential
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), eligible for NCLEX-RN
- Board approval status
- Data coming soon
- Accreditation
- Data coming soon
- Sector
- Public community college
The lowest-cost RN program ($6,730) costs less than the lowest-cost LVN program ($7,482).
What changed
- Nov 2026Total cost recorded from the school's estimate (undated estimate): $6,730.
- Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 95.2% (315 of 331).
- Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 93.1% (268 of 288).
- Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 92.4% (292 of 316).
- Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 80.9% (259 of 320).
- Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 87.3% (282 of 323).
Sources and dates
- Austin Community College, Estimated Program Expenses for Nursing (Traditional) AAS (PDF, linked from Health Sciences Program Costs), Undated estimate.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2025 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2026, item 3.2.13), April 2026.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2024 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2025, item 3.2.12), April 2025.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2023 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2024, item 3.2.15), April 2024.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2022 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2023, item 3.2.5), April 2023.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2021 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (covers Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021) (Board Meeting, April 2022, item 3.2.6), April 2022.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX, May 2025.
Every number was checked against its source on Nov. 1, 2026. Spot an error? Report it. Program Outcomes is independent and not affiliated with any school or the Texas Board of Nursing. Our independence policy