LVN first or straight to RN in Midland-Odessa? What each path costs and pays
Starting as an LVN costs less up front at the Midland-Odessa area programs that publish costs.
The short answer
- Midland College LVN costs $8,000, less than the lowest-cost RN route, Odessa College ADN, at $8,410.
- The LVN route pays a Midland-Odessa median of $64,240 after 12 months. RNs here earn $82,120, a gap of $17,880 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 | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Midland College LVN | Odessa College ADN |
| Cost | $8,000 | $8,410 |
| Time in school | 12 months, starting each August | 3 semesters of nursing courses, year-round |
| Pass rate, latest year | 100% (8 of 8) | 94.6% (88 of 93) |
| Local median wage | $64,240 | $82,120 |
| Payback time | 1.2 yrs | 1.0 yrs |
The two paths, step by step
LVN first
Step 1: LVN program
$8,000
12 months, starting each August
Midland College LVN. Then take the NCLEX-PN.
Step 2: work as an LVN
$64,240 a year
Midland-Odessa median
Optional, while you finish prerequisites.
Straight to RN
Step 2: RN program
$8,410 to $9,735
4 choices in the area
Then take the NCLEX-RN.
Step 3: work as an RN
$82,120 a year
Midland-Odessa median
Payback in 1.0 to 1.2 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, $64,240, while you bridge.
Programs on each path
LVNMidland College LVN$8,000 · 100% pass (8 of 8)LVNHoward LVN, Big SpringCost coming soon · 100% pass (13 of 13)LVNOdessa LVN, AndrewsCost coming soon · 92.3% pass (36 of 39)LVNOdessa LVN, MonahansCost coming soon · 100% pass (29 of 29)RNOdessa College ADN$8,410 · 94.6% pass (88 of 93)RNMidland College ADN$9,735 · 95.2% pass (60 of 63)RNHoward College ADNCost coming soon · 100% pass (25 of 25)RNUniversity of Texas Permian Basin BSNCost coming soon · 88.6% pass (70 of 79)
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
- Midland College, ADN Admissions Packet, Program Costs (PDF), 2025-26 estimate.
- Odessa College, Associate Degree Nursing Program Cost fee sheet (PDF), Undated estimate.
- Midland College, Vocational Nursing Program Information Packet (PDF), 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 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), Midland, 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