Galveston College LVN costs $8,865. Here is what it pays back.

A vocational nursing (LVN) certificate in Galveston, One calendar year (46 credit hours). In 2025, 9 of its 12 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-PN.

Vocational Nursing (LVN) certificate · Galveston, Texas · Updated Nov. 1, 2026

Total cost

$8,865

School estimate ¹

Pass rate

75.0%

9 of 12, 2025 ²

Payback time

1.4 yrs

At 10% of local pay

Local wage

$63,670

LVN median, Houston ⁷

Compare with other Houston area programsGrad earnings: Data coming soon

The short version

Galveston College LVN costs $1,785 more than Alvin Community College LVN, the lowest-cost LVN path in the area, and $21,635 less than The College of Health Care Professions LVN.
Its 2025 pass rate of 75.0% was 16.9 points below the Texas average. In 2024 it was 15.5 points below. That rate is based on a small group of 12 test takers.

These findings are generated from the numbers on this page and change when the data does. How we write them

Where the money goes

The school's estimate. In district (Galveston Island residents for at least a year), prices as of Fall 2024. Galveston College's out-of-district prices are older (Fall 2016) and higher.

Item	Cost
Tuition, course fees, books, supplies and uniforms, all courses including prerequisites (VN, in district)	$8,865
Total ¹	$8,865

Not included: living costs. Fall 2024 prices.

When it pays you back

If you set aside 10% of the Houston LVN median wage, about $531 a month, the $8,865 cost is covered in about 1.4 years of work.

−$8,865

End of school

−$2,498

After year 1

+$3,869

After year 2

+$10,236

After year 3

$6,367

Set aside per year (10% of $63,670) ⁷

$531

Per month

1.4 yrs

Until the $8,865 is covered ¹

Before taxes and loan interest, and assuming work starts right after licensing. Red is money still owed to yourself; green is money ahead. Why we use 10%

The real cost of getting licensed

The program price is not the whole bill. Here is what stands between today and a license, with what we know and what we don't.

Piece	Cost	Time
Prerequisites (3 courses, plus an entrance exam)	Data coming soon	Data coming soon
Galveston College LVN	$8,865	One calendar year (46 credit hours)
Living costs while in school	Not included
Total before living costs	$8,865 + prerequisites	One calendar year (46 credit hours) + prerequisites

We will add typical prerequisite costs at nearby colleges once collected. How we count cost

Will graduates pass the NCLEX-PN?

In 2025, 9 of Galveston College's 12 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-PN. Its rate fell from 77.8% in 2024 to 75.0%, a larger drop than the statewide average. ²

Small group: 12 test takers. One result moves the rate a lot.

Passed on the first try: 9Did not pass on the first try: 3

2025

This program75.0%

Texas91.9%

2024

This program77.8%

Texas93.3%

2023

This program100%

Texas92.9%

2022

This program53.8%

Texas87.4%

2021

This program100%

Texas86.5%

Bars start at 45% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: ³⁴⁵⁶

What LVNs earn around Houston

Payback time uses the middle wage. Here is the wider picture.

$63,670

LVN median wage, Houston metro ⁷

Data coming soon

25th to 75th percentile

Data coming soon

Projected yearly openings

How it compares in the Houston area

The 15 programs in the area that lead to an LVN license.

Program	Cost	Pass rate	Payback
Alvin Community College LVN	$7,080	100%20 of 20	1.1 yrs
Galveston College LVN (this program)	$8,865	75.0%9 of 12	1.4 yrs
Wharton County Jr. College LVN	$11,460	95.2%20 of 21	1.8 yrs
The College of Health Care Professions LVN	$30,500	100%16 of 16	4.8 yrs
Brazosport Community College LVN	Not published	91.7%11 of 12	Can't calculate: cost
College of the Mainland LVN	Not published	95.8%23 of 24	Can't calculate: cost
Edwin’s Healthcare Institute LVN	Not published	100%21 of 21	Can't calculate: cost
Graduate America LVN	Not published	50.0%1 of 2	Can't calculate: cost
Houston Community College LVN	Not published	86.2%106 of 123	Can't calculate: cost
Lone Star College North Harris MEEP LVN	Not published	100%7 of 7	Can't calculate: cost
Lone Star LVN, Kingwood	Not published	92.9%13 of 14	Can't calculate: cost
Lone Star LVN, Tomball	Not published	94.7%18 of 19	Can't calculate: cost
San Jacinto LVN, North	Not published	100%41 of 41	Can't calculate: cost
San Jacinto LVN, South	Not published	100%41 of 41	Can't calculate: cost
Texas Health School LVN	Not published	93.2%68 of 73	Can't calculate: cost

See all 43 Houston area programs

Similar programs

Picked by rule from programs with published data, never by payment.

Lower cost, same licenseAlvin Community College LVNThe same LVN license for $1,785 less, in Alvin.$7,080 · 100% pass (20 of 20)Higher pass rateEdwin’s Healthcare Institute LVN100% passed on the first try in 2025, compared with 75.0% here.Cost coming soon · 100% pass (21 of 21)

Program facts

Length: One calendar year (46 credit hours)
Starts: Summer (May) only
Before you apply: BIOL 2401, VNSG 1227 and MATH 0304 or 0308 (or a passing placement score), with overall and prerequisite GPA of at least 2.7 and HESI A2 scores of 75 or higher.
Entrance exam: HESI A2
Credential: Vocational Nursing (LVN) certificate, eligible for NCLEX-PN
Board approval status: Data coming soon
Accreditation: Data coming soon
Sector: Public community college

Visit Galveston College's program page ↗

LVN first, or straight to RN?

The lowest-cost RN program ($6,333) costs less than the lowest-cost LVN program ($7,080).

Compare the two paths

What changed

Nov 2026Total cost recorded from the school's estimate (fall 2024 prices): $8,865.
Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 75.0% (9 of 12).
Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 77.8% (7 of 9).
Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 100% (10 of 10).
Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 53.8% (7 of 13).
Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 100% (15 of 15).

Sources and dates

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