LVN first or straight to RN in Fort Worth? What each path costs and pays
Starting as an LVN costs less up front at the Fort Worth area programs that publish costs.
The short answer
- Tarrant County College LVN costs $3,330, less than the lowest-cost RN route, Tarrant County College ADN, at $4,440.
- The LVN route pays a Fort Worth 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 | Tarrant County College LVN | Tarrant County College ADN | University of North Texas Health Science Center College of Nursing BSN |
| Cost | $3,330 | $4,440 | $25,028 |
| Time in school | 3 consecutive semesters (12 months) | 2 consecutive years (AAS, 60 credit hours) | 5 semesters after 60 hours of prerequisites |
| Pass rate, latest year | 100% (14 of 14) | 82.7% (353 of 427) | Data coming soon |
| Local median wage | $64,370 | $101,420 | $101,420 |
| Payback time | 0.5 yrs | 0.4 yrs | 2.5 yrs |
The two paths, step by step
LVN first
Step 1: LVN program
$3,330
3 consecutive semesters (12 months)
Tarrant County College LVN. Then take the NCLEX-PN.
Step 2: work as an LVN
$64,370 a year
Fort Worth median
Optional, while you finish prerequisites.
Straight to RN
Step 2: RN program
$4,440 to $25,028
9 choices in the area
Then take the NCLEX-RN.
Step 3: work as an RN
$101,420 a year
Fort Worth median
Payback in 0.4 to 2.5 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
LVNTarrant County College LVN$3,330 · 100% pass (14 of 14)LVNNorth Central Texas College LVN$8,559 · 100% pass (65 of 65)LVNWeatherford College LVN$12,132 to $12,870 · 95.6% pass (43 of 45)RNTarrant County College ADN$4,440 · 82.7% pass (353 of 427)RNNorth Central Texas College ADN$10,712 · 91.3% pass (84 of 92)RNWeatherford College ADN$15,564 · 84.6% pass (176 of 208)RNUniversity of North Texas Health Science Center College of Nursing BSN$25,028 · Pass rate coming soonRNSouthwestern Adventist University BSNCost coming soon · 94.6% pass (35 of 37)RNTarleton State University BSNCost coming soon · 78.2% pass (151 of 193)RNTexas Christian University BSNCost coming soon · 97.1% pass (198 of 204)RNTexas Woman’s University BSNCost coming soon · 92.5% pass (405 of 438)RNUniversity of Texas at Arlington BSNCost coming soon · 89.7% pass (840 of 936)
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
- North Central Texas College, ADN Program Costs (PDF), Undated estimate.
- Tarrant County College, Nursing program page (How Much Time and Money to Finish table), 2026-27 estimate.
- Weatherford College, Associate Degree Nursing Tuition and Fees 2026-2027 (PDF), 2026-27 estimate.
- UNT Health Fort Worth, Traditional BSN tuition and fees, Spring 2025 to Summer 2026 rates.
- North Central Texas College, 24-25 LVN Program Costs (PDF, updated 7/15/2024), 2024-25 estimate.
- Tarrant County College, Vocational Nursing program page (How Much Time and Money to Finish table), 2026-27 estimate.
- Weatherford College, Vocational Nursing Program Tuition & Fees, Day and Evening (PDFs), 2026-27 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