LVN first or straight to RN in Rio Grande Valley? What each path costs and pays
Starting as an LVN costs less up front at the Rio Grande Valley area programs that publish costs.
The short answer
- Texas Southmost College LVN costs $11,000, less than the lowest-cost RN route, Texas State Technical College- Harlingen ADN, at $14,817.
- The LVN route pays a Rio Grande Valley median of $56,250 after 12 months. RNs here earn $80,540, a gap of $24,290 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 | Texas Southmost College LVN | Texas State Technical College- Harlingen ADN |
| Cost | $11,000 to $13,000 | $14,817 |
| Time in school | 12 months (3 semesters, 41 credit hours) | 12 months (LVN to RN transition) |
| Pass rate, latest year | 85.7% (12 of 14) | 77.6% (45 of 58) |
| Local median wage | $56,250 | $80,540 |
| Payback time | 2.0 to 2.3 yrs | 1.8 yrs |
The two paths, step by step
LVN first
Step 1: LVN program
$11,000
12 months (3 semesters, 41 credit hours)
Texas Southmost College LVN. Then take the NCLEX-PN.
Step 2: work as an LVN
$56,250 a year
Rio Grande Valley median
Optional, while you finish prerequisites.
Straight to RN
Step 2: RN program
$14,817 to $40,470
7 choices in the area
Then take the NCLEX-RN.
Step 3: work as an RN
$80,540 a year
Rio Grande Valley median
Payback in 1.8 to 5.0 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, $56,250, while you bridge.
Programs on each path
LVNTexas Southmost College LVN$11,000 to $13,000 · 85.7% pass (12 of 14)LVNValley Baptist Medical Center LVN$14,011 · 82.8% pass (24 of 29)LVNTexas State Technical College LVN$15,115 · 80.0% pass (52 of 65)LVNSouth Texas College LVN$15,275 · 92.0% pass (160 of 174)LVNValley Grande Institute for Academic Studies LVN$26,454 · 87.9% pass (29 of 33)LVNDivine School for Healthcare Professionals LVNCost coming soon · 100% pass (5 of 5)LVNRio Grande Valley College LVNCost coming soon · 93.1% pass (285 of 306)RNTexas State Technical College- Harlingen ADN$14,817 · 77.6% pass (45 of 58)RNTexas School of Health Sciences ADN$15,000 · 57.7% pass (15 of 26)RNTexas Southmost College ADN$17,122 · 85.7% pass (24 of 28)RNSouth Texas College ADN$17,666 · 99.4% pass (174 of 175)RNSouthern Careers Institute ADN$40,470 · Pass rate coming soonRNRio Grande Valley College ADNCost coming soon · 94.4% pass (85 of 90)RNUniversity of Texas Rio Grande Valley BSNCost coming soon · 87.0% pass (200 of 230)
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
- South Texas College, Associate Degree Nursing Program Cost (PDF), 2025-26 estimate.
- Southern Careers Institute, 2026 Catalog, Tuition by Program, 2026 catalog.
- Texas School of Health Sciences, 2025-2026 Student Catalog (PDF), 2025-26 estimate.
- Texas Southmost College, Associate Degree Nursing program page, Undated estimate.
- Texas State Technical College, SP27 RN Information Session Advisory Packet, LVN to ADN Transition estimated costs (PDF), Spring 2027 information packet.
- South Texas College, Prospective Student Guide for Vocational Nursing (PDF), 2026-27 estimate.
- Texas Southmost College, Licensed Vocational Nursing program page, Undated estimate.
- Texas State Technical College, LVN 26FA Information Session Advisory Packet, LVN Program Estimated Costs (PDF), Fall 2026 information packet.
- Valley Baptist Medical Center School of Vocational Nursing, Pre-Entrance Packet for Class of 2026 (PDF), Class of 2026 estimate.
- Valley Grande Institute, School Catalog Rev. 08.2024 (PDF), 2024-25 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), McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 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