Wharton County Junior College ADN costs $11,178. Here is what it pays back.

An associate degree in nursing (ADN) in Wharton, 2 years (36 RNSG credits plus 24 general education credits). In 2025, 54 of its 57 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) · Wharton, Texas · Updated Nov. 1, 2026

Total cost

$11,178*

School estimate ¹

Pass rate

94.7%

54 of 57, 2025 ²

Payback time

1.1 yrs

At 10% of local pay

Local wage

$99,830

RN median, Houston ⁷

Compare with other Houston area programsGrad earnings: Data coming soon

The short version

Wharton County Junior College ADN costs $4,845 more than Lee College ADN, the lowest-cost RN path in the area, and $89,902 less than Chamberlain College of Nursing BSN, Houston.
Its 2025 pass rate of 94.7% was 6.1 points above the Texas average. In 2024 it was 1.5 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

Three of every four dollars goes to tuition, 36 rnsg credits (in district, wharton campus). In-district Wharton campus figures; 24 hours of general education courses are excluded. The page states a two-year total of $11,148, which is $30 less than its listed items add up to. Sugar Land in district is stated as $12,180 (adds $672 parking); out of district is $13,344 (Wharton) and $14,376 (Sugar Land).

Item	Cost
Tuition, 36 RNSG credits (in district, Wharton campus)	$8,093
Drug screen and criminal background check	$305
Physical exam and immunizations	$250
Laptop	$500
Books	$1,200
Uniforms	$300
Testing fees	$130
Licensure fees	$400
Total ¹	$11,178

* How we calculated this: The school's page states a total of $11,148, but its listed items add up to $11,178. We show the sum of the items.

Not included: prerequisite courses and living costs. Undated estimate.

When it pays you back

If you set aside 10% of the Houston RN median wage, about $832 a month, the $11,178 cost is covered in about 1.1 years of work.

−$11,178

End of school

−$1,195

After year 1

+$8,788

After year 2

+$18,771

After year 3

$9,983

Set aside per year (10% of $99,830) ⁷

$832

Per month

1.1 yrs

Until the $11,178 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	Data coming soon	Data coming soon
Wharton County Junior College ADN, including licensing fees	$11,178	2 years (36 RNSG credits plus 24 general education credits)
Living costs while in school	Not included
Total before living costs	$11,178 + prerequisites	2 years (36 RNSG credits plus 24 general education credits) + prerequisites

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

Will graduates pass the NCLEX-RN?

In 2025, 54 of Wharton County Junior College's 57 first-time test takers passed the NCLEX-RN. Its rate rose from 91.2% in 2024 to 94.7%. ²

Passed on the first try: 54Did not pass on the first try: 3

2025

This program94.7%

Texas88.6%

2024

This program91.2%

Texas92.7%

2023

This program100%

Texas91.2%

2022

This program84.0%

Texas84.3%

2021

This program88.0%

Texas86.7%

Bars start at 75% so small differences are visible. National rates are on the methodology page. Earlier years: ³⁴⁵⁶

What nurses earn around Houston

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

$99,830

RN 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 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 (this program)	$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	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.

Lower cost, same licenseLee College ADNThe same RN license for $4,845 less, in Baytown.$6,333 · 95.1% pass (39 of 41)Shorter programUniversity of St. Thomas Accelerated BSNAbout 12 months, compared with about 22 here.$66,845 · 71.0% pass (164 of 231)Higher pass rateUniversity of Houston College of Nursing BSN100% passed on the first try in 2025, compared with 94.7% here.Cost coming soon · 100% pass (67 of 67)Degree optionChamberlain College of Nursing BSN, HoustonGraduate with a BSN instead, for $89,902 more at its lowest published price.$101,080 · 84.7% pass (155 of 183)

Program facts

Length: 2 years (36 RNSG credits plus 24 general education credits)
Schedule: Wharton and Sugar Land campuses; 14 to 16 clinical hours and 4 to 6 class hours per week
Credential: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), eligible for NCLEX-RN
Board approval status: Data coming soon
Accreditation: Data coming soon
Sector: Public community college

Visit Wharton County Junior 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 (undated estimate): $11,178.
Apr 20262025 pass rate added: 94.7% (54 of 57).
Apr 20252024 pass rate added: 91.2% (52 of 57).
Apr 20242023 pass rate added: 100% (41 of 41).
Apr 20232022 pass rate added: 84.0% (42 of 50).
Apr 20222021 pass rate added: 88.0% (44 of 50).

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