Nursing programs in the rural parts of Texas: what they cost and what they pay
3 Board-approved programs in Del Rio, Alpine and Woodville. Registered nurses here earn a median $81,850.
These programs sit outside any metro area: Southwest Texas Junior College's associate degree in Del Rio, Sul Ross University's BSN in Alpine, and the hospital-based LVN program at Tyler County Hospital in Woodville. None posts a full program cost.
Every program in the area
Grouped by license, then sorted by cost. Missing numbers sort last.
| Program | City | Cost | Pass rate | Length | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Texas Junior College ADN | Del Rio | Not published | 85.7%42 of 49 | 2 calendar years (60 credit hours) after prerequisites | Can't calculate: cost |
| Sul Ross University BSN | Alpine | Not published | 57.1%4 of 7 | 120 credit hours | Can't calculate: cost |
| Program | City | Cost | Pass rate | Length | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler County Hospital LVN | Woodville | Not published | 72.7%40 of 55 | Data coming soon | Can't calculate: cost |
Small groups: Sul Ross University BSN had 7 test takers. Pass rates: 1, 2
Quick findings
- Highest RN pass rate with 20+ test takers: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, 85.7% (42 of 49).
- Largest program: Tyler County Hospital LVN, with 55 first-time test takers in 2025.
- Highest LVN pass rate with 20+ test takers: Tyler County Hospital LVN, 40 of 55.
- RN vs LVN pay gap here: $22,770 a year at the median.
Generated from the table above. They change when the data does.
The local job picture
Programs here are in Alpine, Del Rio, and Woodville. These programs are outside any federal metro area. Wages shown are for the Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area; Tyler County Hospital uses the Eastern Region figure.
What changed
- Apr 2026Updated: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, Sul Ross University BSN, Tyler County Hospital LVN.
- Apr 2025Updated: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, Sul Ross University BSN, Tyler County Hospital LVN.
- Apr 2024Updated: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, Sul Ross University BSN, Tyler County Hospital LVN.
- Apr 2023Updated: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, Tyler County Hospital LVN.
- Apr 2022Updated: Southwest Texas Junior College ADN, Tyler County Hospital LVN.
Sources and dates
- 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), Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area, 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