Western Governors University BSN: cost, pass rate and local pay

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) in Houston, 1 to 4 pre-nursing terms plus 4 clinical terms (six-month terms). In 2025, 109 of its 145 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) · Houston, Texas · Updated Nov. 1, 2026

Total cost

Not published by the school

Checked Nov 4, 2026

Pass rate

75.2%

109 of 145, 2025 ¹

Payback time

Can't calculate: cost

Local wage

$99,830

RN median, Houston ⁶

Compare with other Houston area programsGrad earnings: Data coming soon

The short version

Its 2025 pass rate of 75.2% was 13.5 points below the Texas average. In 2024 it was 1.6 points below.

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

What it costs

Western Governors University does not publish a total cost for this program (we checked on Nov 4, 2026). WGU charges flat tuition per six-month term ($8,755 plus a $200 e-books fee per term for terms starting on or after January 1, 2026) and the number of pre-nursing terms varies from 1 to 4, so there is no program total. WGU states none. Ask the program directly for its cost sheet; contact details are on its page.

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 (see requirements)	Data coming soon	Data coming soon
Western Governors University BSN	Data coming soon	1 to 4 pre-nursing terms plus 4 clinical terms (six-month terms)
Living costs while in school	Not included
Total before living costs	Not yet known	1 to 4 pre-nursing terms plus 4 clinical terms (six-month terms) + prerequisites

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

Will graduates pass the NCLEX-RN?

In 2025, 109 of Western Governors University's 145 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN. Its rate fell from 91.1% in 2024 to 75.2%, a larger drop than the statewide average. ¹

Passed on the first try: 109Did not pass on the first try: 36

2025

This program75.2%

Texas88.6%

2024

This program91.1%

Texas92.7%

2023

This program88.9%

Texas91.2%

2022

This program78.7%

Texas84.3%

2021

This program88.2%

Texas86.7%

Bars start at 65% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: ²³⁴⁵

What nurses earn around Houston

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

$99,830

RN median wage, Houston metro ⁶

Data coming soon

25th to 75th percentile

Data coming soon

Projected yearly openings

How it compares in the Houston area

The 28 programs in the area that lead to an RN license.

Program	Cost	Pass rate	Payback
Lee College ADN	$6,333	95.1%39 of 41	0.6 yrs
Alvin Community College ADN	$8,100	95.3%81 of 85	0.8 yrs
Lone Star ADN, CyFair	$9,378to $12,517	94.6%53 of 56	0.9 yrsto 1.3 yrs
Lone Star ADN, Kingwood	$9,378to $12,517	89.1%90 of 101	0.9 yrsto 1.3 yrs
Lone Star ADN, Montgomery	$9,378to $12,517	92.3%48 of 52	0.9 yrsto 1.3 yrs
Lone Star ADN, North Harris	$9,378to $12,517	84.9%90 of 106	0.9 yrsto 1.3 yrs
Lone Star ADN, Tomball	$9,378to $12,517	92.9%39 of 42	0.9 yrsto 1.3 yrs
Wharton County Junior College ADN	$11,178	94.7%54 of 57	1.1 yrs
Galveston College ADN	$11,879	91.2%31 of 34	1.2 yrs
Sam Houston State University BSN	$34,700	95.5%169 of 177	3.5 yrs
The College of Health Care Professions ADN	$42,500	64.3%9 of 14	4.3 yrs
University of St. Thomas Accelerated BSN	$66,845	71.0%164 of 231	6.7 yrs
Chamberlain College of Nursing BSN, Pearland	$97,420	81.0%136 of 168	9.8 yrs
Chamberlain College of Nursing BSN, Houston	$101,080	84.7%155 of 183	10.1 yrs
Brazosport College ADN	Not published	83.7%36 of 43	Can't calculate: cost
College of the Mainland ADN	Not published	84.1%69 of 82	Can't calculate: cost
Houston City College ADN	Not published	Data coming soon	Can't calculate: cost
San Jacinto ADN, Central	Not published	93.0%174 of 187	Can't calculate: cost
San Jacinto ADN, South	Not published	95.7%67 of 70	Can't calculate: cost
Texas Health School ADN	Not published	90.9%10 of 11	Can't calculate: cost
Denver College of Nursing BSN	Not published	66.7%32 of 48	Can't calculate: cost
Houston Christian University BSN	Not published	97.8%45 of 46	Can't calculate: cost
Prairie View A&M University BSN	Not published	91.9%57 of 62	Can't calculate: cost
University of Houston College of Nursing BSN	Not published	100%67 of 67	Can't calculate: cost
University of St. Thomas School of Nursing BSN	Not published	76.9%40 of 52	Can't calculate: cost
University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston BSN	Not published	95.4%209 of 219	Can't calculate: cost
University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston BSN	Not published	95.6%263 of 275	Can't calculate: cost
Western Governors University BSN (this program)	Not published	75.2%109 of 145	Can't calculate: cost

See all 43 Houston area programs

Similar programs

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

Higher pass rateUniversity of Houston College of Nursing BSN100% passed on the first try in 2025, compared with 75.2% here.Cost coming soon · 100% pass (67 of 67)Degree optionAlvin Community College ADNGraduate with an ADN instead.$8,100 · 95.3% pass (81 of 85)Start as an LVNAlvin Community College LVNWork as an LVN after the program.$7,080 · 100% pass (20 of 20)

Program facts

Length: 1 to 4 pre-nursing terms plus 4 clinical terms (six-month terms)
Schedule: Hybrid: online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations
Before you apply: No prerequisites; general education courses are part of the program.
Credential: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), eligible for NCLEX-RN
Board approval status: Data coming soon
Accreditation: Data coming soon
Sector: Private university

Visit Western Governors University'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

Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 75.2% (109 of 145).
Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 91.1% (153 of 168).
Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 88.9% (136 of 153).
Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 78.7% (122 of 155).
Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 88.2% (157 of 178).

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