LVN first or straight to RN in San Antonio? What each path costs and pays
Starting as an LVN costs less up front at the San Antonio area programs that publish costs.
The short answer
- Baptist Health System LVN costs $20,140, less than the lowest-cost RN route, Baptist Health System School of Health ADN, at $37,080.
- The LVN route pays a San Antonio median of $62,280 after 12 months. RNs here earn $94,370, a gap of $32,090 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 | Baptist Health System LVN | Baptist Health System School of Health ADN | Chamberlain College of Nursing BSN, San Antonio |
| Cost | $20,140 | $37,080 | $97,420 |
| Time in school | 3 semesters (about one year) | Data coming soon | 3 years, year round (122 credits) |
| Pass rate, latest year | 87.2% (41 of 47) | 76.8% (172 of 224) | 82.1% (23 of 28) |
| Local median wage | $62,280 | $94,370 | $94,370 |
| Payback time | 3.2 yrs | 3.9 yrs | 10.3 yrs |
The two paths, step by step
LVN first
Step 1: LVN program
$20,140
3 semesters (about one year)
Baptist Health System LVN. Then take the NCLEX-PN.
Step 2: work as an LVN
$62,280 a year
San Antonio median
Optional, while you finish prerequisites.
Straight to RN
Step 2: RN program
$37,080 to $97,420
17 choices in the area
Then take the NCLEX-RN.
Step 3: work as an RN
$94,370 a year
San Antonio median
Payback in 3.9 to 10.3 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, $62,280, while you bridge.
Programs on each path
LVNBaptist Health System LVN$20,140 · 87.2% pass (41 of 47)LVNGalen College of Nursing LVN$24,340 · 92.8% pass (544 of 586)LVNHallmark University LVNCost coming soon · 88.9% pass (8 of 9)LVNSchreiner University LVNCost coming soon · 100% pass (5 of 5)LVNSouthwest Texas Junior College LVNCost coming soon · 80.0% pass (32 of 40)LVNSt. Philip’s College LVNCost coming soon · 95.5% pass (63 of 66)LVNThe Institute of Allied Health LVNCost coming soon · 78.6% pass (11 of 14)RNBaptist Health System School of Health ADN$37,080 · 76.8% pass (172 of 224)RNChamberlain College of Nursing BSN, San Antonio$97,420 · 82.1% pass (23 of 28)RNECPI University ADNCost coming soon · 88.9% pass (8 of 9)RNGalen College of Nursing ADNCost coming soon · 81.9% pass (847 of 1034)RNNortheast Lakeview College ADNCost coming soon · Pass rate coming soonRNPalo Alto College ADNCost coming soon · Pass rate coming soonRNSan Antonio College ADNCost coming soon · 81.8% pass (189 of 231)RNSt. Philip’s College ADNCost coming soon · 95.7% pass (22 of 23)RNGalen College of Nursing BSNCost coming soon · 85.2% pass (450 of 528)RNHallmark University BSNCost coming soon · 79.7% pass (47 of 59)RNSchreiner University BSNCost coming soon · 88.2% pass (15 of 17)RNSt. Mary’s University BSNCost coming soon · Pass rate coming soonRNTexas Lutheran University BSNCost coming soon · 92.0% pass (126 of 137)RNUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio BSNCost coming soon · 87.6% pass (310 of 354)RNUniversity of the Incarnate Word BSNCost coming soon · 95.3% pass (142 of 149)RNWayland Baptist University BSNCost coming soon · 58.8% pass (10 of 17)RNTexas Lutheran Direct Entry MSNCost coming soon · 100% pass (12 of 12)
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
- Baptist Health System School of Health Professions, 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, tuition and fees (PDF), 2026-27 catalog.
- Chamberlain University, San Antonio campus page, Tuition & Fees, Rates effective July 2026.
- Baptist Health System School of Health Professions, 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, tuition and fees (PDF), 2026-27 catalog.
- Galen College of Nursing, Student Catalog (San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Houston), VN tuition and fee schedule (PDF), Rates for students starting April 2026 or later.
- 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), San Antonio-New Braunfels, 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