South Texas College LVN costs $15,275. Here is what it pays back.
A vocational nursing (LVN) certificate in McAllen, 3 semesters (one year) after prerequisites. In 2025, 160 of its 174 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-PN.
The short version
- South Texas College LVN costs $2,275 to $4,275 more than Texas Southmost College LVN, the lowest-cost LVN path in the area, and $11,179 less than Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies LVN.
- Its 2025 pass rate of 92.0% was within 0.1 points of the Texas average. In 2024 it was 2.1 points above.
These findings are generated from the numbers on this page and change when the data does. How we write them
Where the money goes
About half of every dollar goes to tuition and differential tuition, 3 semesters. The guide's FY 2026-27 total is $17,011.85, including $1,737 for prerequisites, which is shown separately here. Residency is not stated. A $500 other fee in the final semester is not described and may or may not cover licensure.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition and differential tuition, 3 semesters | $9,635 |
| Student activity fees | $164 |
| Other fees | $565 |
| Insurance | $50 |
| Books, learning and testing platforms | $2,866 |
| Supplies | $180 |
| Equipment, tools and other expenses | $1,815 |
| Total 1 | $15,275 |
Not included: prerequisite courses and living costs. 2026-27 estimate.
When it pays you back
If you set aside 10% of the Rio Grande Valley LVN median wage, about $469 a month, the $15,275 cost is covered in about 2.7 years of work.
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 (1 courses, plus an entrance exam) | $1,737 | Data coming soon |
| South Texas College LVN | $15,275 | 3 semesters (one year) after prerequisites |
| Living costs while in school | Not included | |
| Total before living costs | $17,012 | 3 semesters (one year) after prerequisites |
Prerequisite courses at South Texas College's own rates, from the same cost sheet. Taking them elsewhere can cost more or less. How we count cost
Will graduates pass the NCLEX-PN?
In 2025, 160 of South Texas College's 174 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-PN. Its rate fell from 95.4% in 2024 to 92.0%, a larger drop than the statewide average. 2
Bars start at 75% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: 3456
What LVNs earn around Rio Grande Valley
Payback time uses the middle wage. Here is the wider picture.
How it compares in the Rio Grande Valley area
The 7 programs in the area that lead to an LVN license.
| Program | Cost | Pass rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Southmost College LVN | $11,000to $13,000 | 85.7%12 of 14 | 2.0 yrsto 2.3 yrs |
| Valley Baptist Medical Center LVN | $14,011 | 82.8%24 of 29 | 2.5 yrs |
| Texas State Technical College LVN | $15,115 | 80.0%52 of 65 | 2.7 yrs |
| South Texas College LVN (this program) | $15,275 | 92.0%160 of 174 | 2.7 yrs |
| Valley Grande Institute for Academic Studies LVN | $26,454 | 87.9%29 of 33 | 4.7 yrs |
| Divine School for Healthcare Professionals LVN | Not published | 100%5 of 5 | Can't calculate: cost |
| Rio Grande Valley College LVN | Not published | 93.1%285 of 306 | Can't calculate: cost |
Similar programs
Picked by rule from programs with published data, never by payment.
Program facts
- Length
- 3 semesters (one year) after prerequisites
- Schedule
- Face-to-face; McAllen, Mid-Valley and Starr County campuses
- Starts
- Fall and spring
- Before you apply
- VNSG 1420 (or BIOL 2401 and 2402) with a B or higher, plus a HESI A2 score of 70% or higher in each section.
- 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
The lowest-cost LVN program ($11,000) costs less than the lowest-cost RN program ($14,817).
What changed
- Nov 2026Total cost recorded from the school's estimate (2026-27 estimate): $15,275.
- Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 92.0% (160 of 174).
- Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 95.4% (144 of 151).
- Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 93.4% (142 of 152).
- Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 90.9% (130 of 143).
- Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 84.1% (116 of 138).
Sources and dates
- South Texas College, Prospective Student Guide for Vocational Nursing (PDF), 2026-27 estimate.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2025 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2026, item 3.2.12), April 2026.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2024 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2025, item 3.2.11), April 2025.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2023 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2024, item 3.2.14), April 2024.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2022 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2023, item 3.2.6), April 2023.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2021 NCLEX-PN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2022, item 3.2.7), April 2022.
- 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