LVN first or straight to RN in Dallas? What each path costs and pays
Starting as an LVN costs less up front at the Dallas area programs that publish costs.
The short answer
- Dallas College LVN costs $3,966, less than the lowest-cost RN route, Dallas College ADN, at $6,832.
- The LVN route pays a Dallas median of $64,370 after 12 months. RNs here earn $101,420, a gap of $37,050 a year.
- No program in the area lists an LVN-to-RN bridge yet, so the full LVN-to-RN total is still missing.
Which path fits depends on how soon you need income and whether you have your prerequisites done. We don't recommend one.
Side by side
| LVN first | RN, ADN | RN, BSN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Dallas College LVN | Dallas College ADN | Chamberlain College of Nursing BSN, Irving |
| Cost | $3,966 | $6,832 | $101,080 |
| Time in school | About 12 months (two 16-week semesters and two 5-week summer sessions, 43 credit hours) | 4 semesters after prerequisites (60 credit hours) | 122 credit hours, as few as 3 years |
| Pass rate, latest year | 90.5% (19 of 21) | 90.5% (181 of 200) | 82.4% (84 of 102) |
| Local median wage | $64,370 | $101,420 | $101,420 |
| Payback time | 0.6 yrs | 0.7 yrs | 10.0 yrs |
The two paths, step by step
LVN first
Step 1: LVN program
$3,966
About 12 months (two 16-week semesters and two 5-week summer sessions, 43 credit hours)
Dallas College LVN. Then take the NCLEX-PN.
Step 2: work as an LVN
$64,370 a year
Dallas median
Optional, while you finish prerequisites.
Straight to RN
Step 2: RN program
$6,832 to $114,939
10 choices in the area
Then take the NCLEX-RN.
Step 3: work as an RN
$101,420 a year
Dallas median
Payback in 0.7 to 11.3 years, depending on the program.
When each path tends to make sense
Built from the numbers above, not a recommendation.
- LVN first if you need a paycheck within about 12 months. You can earn the LVN median, $64,370, while you bridge.
Programs on each path
LVNDallas College LVN$3,966 · 90.5% pass (19 of 21)LVNCollin College LVN$7,300 · 95.8% pass (68 of 71)LVNTrinity Valley Community LVN, Terrell$7,818 · 95.2% pass (20 of 21)LVNNavarro LVN, Corsicana$11,624 · 97.5% pass (39 of 40)LVNNavarro LVN, Waxahachie$11,624 · 95.5% pass (42 of 44)LVNArlington Career Institute LVN$23,979 · 51.9% pass (14 of 27)LVNConcorde Career LVN, Dallas$38,414 · 88.9% pass (48 of 54)LVNConcorde Career LVN, Grand Prairie$38,414 · 83.6% pass (97 of 116)LVNCTK Healthcare & Career Institute LVNCost coming soon · 85.7% pass (6 of 7)RNDallas College ADN$6,832 · 90.5% pass (181 of 200)RNTrinity Valley Community College ADN$10,605 · 87.6% pass (120 of 137)RNNavarro College ADN$11,475 · 90.3% pass (65 of 72)RNChamberlain College of Nursing BSN, Irving$101,080 · 82.4% pass (84 of 102)RNWest Coast University Texas BSN$113,979 · 92.2% pass (213 of 231)RNArizona College of Nursing BSN$114,939 · 69.1% pass (65 of 94)RNCollin College ADNCost coming soon · 94.7% pass (230 of 243)RNSouth College Dallas ADNCost coming soon · Pass rate coming soonRNBaylor University BSNCost coming soon · 96.1% pass (348 of 362)RNEast Texas A&M University BSNCost coming soon · 79.2% pass (38 of 48)
How to read this
- Costs are each school's published estimate and include licensing fees where the school lists them.
- Payback time is cost divided by 10% of the local median wage. Why we use 10%
- Pass rates under 20 test takers are marked as small groups.
Sources and dates
- Dallas College, Associate Degree Nursing Information Packet, revised for the Spring 2027 and Fall 2027 application cycles (Word document), Current packet (2027 application cycle).
- Navarro College, ADN Program Cost page, 2026-27 estimate.
- Trinity Valley Community College, Health Science Center Handbook 2025-26 (PDF), ADN estimated expenses, 2025-26 estimate.
- Arizona College of Nursing, BSN Catalog No26 V5 effective May 4, 2026 (PDF), Rates effective Aug 31, 2026.
- Chamberlain University, Irving campus page, Tuition & Fees (Effective July 2026), Rates effective July 2026.
- West Coast University Catalog, Texas Undergraduate Programs tuition and fees, Rates effective Spring II 2025.
- Arlington Career Institute, Catalog Supplement (effective March 23, 2026), Rates effective March 23, 2026.
- Collin College, Vocational Nursing program page, Undated estimate.
- Concorde Career College Dallas catalog, Program Costs (effective 01/20/2026), Rates effective Jan 20, 2026.
- Concorde Career College Grand Prairie catalog, Program Costs (effective 01/20/2026), Rates effective Jan 20, 2026.
- Dallas College, Vocational Nursing Information Packet, revised for the Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 application cycles (Word document), Current packet (2026 application cycle).
- Navarro College, LVN Program Cost page, 2026-27 estimate.
- Navarro College, LVN Program Cost page, 2026-27 estimate.
- Trinity Valley Community College, Health Science Center Handbook 2025-26 (PDF), Vocational Nursing estimated expenses, 2025-26 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 2025 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2026, item 3.2.12), April 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 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