South University BSN costs $105,391. Here is what it pays back.
A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in Austin. In 2025, 23 of its 26 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN.
The short version
- South University BSN costs $98,661 more than Austin Community College ADN, the lowest-cost RN path in the area.
- Its 2025 pass rate of 88.5% was within 0.2 points of the Texas average. In 2024 it was 6.0 points below.
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 clinical tuition, 90 quarter credits at $617. Full 180-credit degree, including the general education phase.
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Pre-clinical tuition, 90 quarter credits at $475 | $42,750 |
| Clinical tuition, 90 quarter credits at $617 | $55,530 |
| Fees, books and supplies listed on the sheet | $7,111 |
| Total 1 | $105,391 |
Not included: living costs. Cost sheet dated May 27, 2026.
When it pays you back
If you set aside 10% of the Austin RN median wage, about $816 a month, the $105,391 cost is covered in about 10.8 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 | Data coming soon | Data coming soon |
| South University BSN | $105,391 | Data coming soon |
| Living costs while in school | Not included | |
| Total before living costs | $105,391 + prerequisites |
We will add typical prerequisite costs at nearby colleges once collected. How we count cost
Will graduates pass the NCLEX-RN?
In 2025, 23 of South University's 26 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN. Its rate rose from 86.7% in 2024 to 88.5%. 2
Bars start at 50% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: 3456
What nurses earn around Austin
Payback time uses the middle wage. Here is the wider picture.
How it compares in the Austin area
The 8 programs in the area that lead to an RN license.
| Program | Cost | Pass rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Community College ADN | $6,730 | 95.2%315 of 331 | 0.7 yrs |
| South University BSN (this program) | $105,391 | 88.5%23 of 26 | 10.8 yrs |
| Concordia University BSN | Not published | 97.8%135 of 138 | Can't calculate: cost |
| Fairfield University BSN | Not published | 93.5%29 of 31 | Can't calculate: cost |
| St. Edward’s University BSN | Not published | 100%2 of 2 | Can't calculate: cost |
| Texas State University BSN | Not published | 100%84 of 84 | Can't calculate: cost |
| University of Texas at Austin BSN | Not published | 90.9%110 of 121 | Can't calculate: cost |
| University of Texas at Austin Alternate Entry MSN | Not published | 90.6%48 of 53 | Can't calculate: cost |
Similar programs
Picked by rule from programs with published data, never by payment.
Program facts
- Length
- Data coming soon
- Schedule
- About 6 quarters of prerequisite courses, then 7 quarters in the nursing program
- Entrance exam
- ATI TEAS
- Credential
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), eligible for NCLEX-RN
- Board approval status
- Data coming soon
- Accreditation
- Data coming soon
- Sector
- Private university
The lowest-cost RN program ($6,730) costs less than the lowest-cost LVN program ($7,482).
What changed
- Nov 2026Total cost recorded from the school's estimate (cost sheet dated May 27, 2026): $105,391.
- Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 88.5% (23 of 26).
- Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 86.7% (26 of 30).
- Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 59.0% (23 of 39).
- Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 69.0% (29 of 42).
- Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 83.9% (26 of 31).
Sources and dates
- South University, Austin (Round Rock) program cost sheet (PDF), Cost sheet dated May 27, 2026.
- 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 2024 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2025, item 3.2.12), April 2025.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2023 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2024, item 3.2.15), April 2024.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2022 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (Board Meeting, April 2023, item 3.2.5), April 2023.
- Texas Board of Nursing, Report of 2021 NCLEX-RN Examination Pass Rates (covers Oct. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021) (Board Meeting, April 2022, item 3.2.6), April 2022.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, 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