Austin Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Stackable LVN, ADN (traditional and mobility), and ACEN-accredited RN-to-BSN pathways based in the Austin metro—with published tuition tables and Texas Board of Nursing–linked NCLEX outcomes as ACC reports them. Always confirm deadlines, clinical rules, and cohort data with ACC Health Sciences and the TBON.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
ACC publishes cohort‑level NCLEX outcomes attributed to the Texas Board of Nursing, offers both day and evening/weekend LVN schedules, and runs an ACEN‑accredited RN‑to‑BSN completion track on top of its associate RN programs—useful if you want stackable credentials without leaving Central Texas.
Overview & Why Students Choose Austin Community College
Austin Community College District (ACC) is a multi-campus public college based in Austin and surrounding communities, including a Round Rock instructional site. The Health Sciences unit coordinates limited-seat nursing pathways: Licensed Vocational Nursing (LVN), Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Professional Nursing for RN licensure (traditional and mobility tracks), and a post‑licensure RN‑to‑BSN program that ACC lists with separate ACEN accreditation status.
Pre-nursing students often select the General Studies in Pre-Health Sciences meta-major on the general application while completing prerequisites; formal program acceptance is competitive and separate from general college admission, as ACC states on its nursing overview page.
ACC’s Professional Nursing outcomes page reports that the combined Traditional and Mobility ADN cohorts achieved a 92.41% overall first‑time NCLEX‑RN pass rate for 2023, identified as data reported by the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON). For newer testing years, use the TBON Education Dashboard and ACC’s published outcomes. Confirm all numbers before you budget time and tuition around a single percentage.
Reasons students choose ACC Nursing
Transparent pathway design
ACC publishes stackable awards—from vocational certificates through ADN and RN‑to‑BSN—so you can see how credentials ladder without guessing about transfer.
Documented NCLEX performance
Official ACC pages cite TBON‑based NCLEX pass rates and completion metrics by cohort, which helps you compare programs using primary disclosures rather than forum rumors.
Central Texas clinical access
ACEN materials referenced by ACC name Eastview, Highland, and Round Rock sites plus broad Austin‑area clinical experiences—ideal if you plan to work locally after licensure.
Affordable per‑credit pricing
ACC’s tuition table differentiates in‑district, out‑of‑district, and out‑of‑state/international rates with line‑item fees, simplifying budget planning before you add books and cohort-specific charges.
Evening & weekend LVN options
Program‑cost documents list vocational nursing daytime and evening/weekend tracks, supporting students who must keep day jobs while training.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following programs are taken directly from ACC’s Nursing – All Programs catalog table (2026 catalog year) and Health Sciences nursing sites. Tracks are labeled as ACC does: Professional Nursing refers to RN (ADN) education; Vocational Nursing refers to LVN preparation.
Pre‑licensure & vocational
Vocational Nursing (LVN)
ACC offers a Vocational Nursing Certificate (Level 2) with program maps for traditional daytime and evening/weekend tracks, plus an AAS in Health Sciences – Vocational Nursing Specialty for students pursuing the broader award. Graduates qualify to sit for NCLEX‑PN (LVN licensure in Texas).
Professional Nursing — Traditional ADN
The Traditional Track AAS prepares new nursing students for RN licensure (NCLEX‑RN). Classes run on ACC’s nursing campuses with immersive clinical experiences; admissions use GPA, TEAS scoring, and a published ranking formula.
Professional Nursing — Mobility ADN
The Mobility Track is for applicants who already hold Texas licensure or certification in a healthcare discipline (LVNs are common participants, with credit-by-exam options for the first semester when challenge exams are passed). Confirm eligible licenses, TEAS rules, and application windows on ACC’s Mobility page—they differ from the Traditional track.
Post‑licensure / progression
RN‑to‑BSN (fully online components possible)
ACC’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion track is for licensed RNs seeking a baccalaureate; ACC states the program holds ACEN Initial Accreditation. This pathway does not replace NCLEX preparation—you must already hold RN licensure or be on the ADN completion route per admissions rules.
ACC’s nursing landing page also references nurse re‑entry options and an Alternate Entry ADN plan in degree-plan materials. Seat availability, TBON approval status, and deadlines differ from the traditional cycle—confirm the exact track on sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
For official, program-specific pass rates, the Texas Board of Nursing (TBON) Education Dashboard is the authoritative lookup. Austin Community College also publishes summary outcomes that explicitly attribute NCLEX data to TBON.
According to ACC’s Professional Nursing outcomes materials, the overall first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Traditional and Mobility ADN students was 92.41% in 2023, described as TBON-reported data. ACC’s February 2024 newsroom feature repeats the 92.41% ADN first-time rate for 2023 and reports a 98% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for LVN graduates in the same year (noting year-over-year gains).
NCLEX-PN (LVN)
LVN graduates take the NCLEX-PN examination. The 98% first-time pass rate cited above comes from ACC’s public news story for 2023; confirm PN outcomes alongside RN data in the TBON dashboard when you compare programs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (ADN Traditional & Mobility, combined) | 92.41% (2023; ACC citing TBON) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (LVN) | 98% (2023; ACC newsroom) |
| Source | ACC Professional Nursing outcomes; ACC newsroom (Feb. 28, 2024); Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboard. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and track. Confirm the latest RN and PN pass rates with the Texas Board of Nursing and Austin Community College Health Sciences before you rely on any single percentage.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
This section is general guidance only—not legal, immigration, or licensure advice. International applicants to ACC must satisfy college admissions, Health Sciences program rules, clinical site clearance, and any Texas Board of Nursing requirements for licensure eligibility.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores with ACC International Student Office and your nursing program handbook (scores required for general admission may differ from Health Sciences expectations).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Determine whether ACC or TBON requires a specific evaluator (for example WES, ECE, or CGFNS-related steps for foreign nursing education).
- Texas Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking Texas licensure must review TBON pathways (including any credential evaluation service requirements) independent of college admission.
- Immigration & visa status: Clinical courses often require proof of eligibility to train in U.S. healthcare facilities; online-only portions may not satisfy visa or clinical requirements.
- Tuition residency category: ACC’s tuition table includes separate columns for out-of-state and international students; budget using the correct column plus mandatory fees.
Verify every requirement with ACC’s international services, Health Sciences advising, and bon.texas.gov before applying.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at ACC is special admissions with limited seats. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee selection; the Traditional ADN track ranks applicants using prerequisite GPA, degree-plan progress, TEAS performance, review/re-application points, and optional coursework bonuses published on ACC’s application site.
Traditional ADN snapshot (verify annually)
- Complete ACC prerequisites (BIOL 2401, 2402, 2420 or equivalent, HPRS 2300, plus other catalog requirements) with grades of C or better and a minimum 2.7 prerequisite GPA (not rounded).
- Pass the ATI TEAS with a total score of at least 68% to qualify for TEAS points in the ranking rubric.
- Complete CastleBranch documentation, technical standards attestation, information session post-test, and other uploads specified in the application packet.
- Understand that criminal background checks and drug screening are required for clinical compliance.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Application window (Traditional ADN) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | November 9, 2025 – April 1, 2026 | Dates published February 2026 on ACC’s Traditional Track page; weekends roll to next business day. |
| Spring 2027 | April 5 – August 7, 2026 | Confirm updates on sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/apply/traditional/. |
| Fall 2027 | Opens November 9; closing date TBA | Watch ACC site for posted end date. |
Mobility ADN (example): ACC lists the Fall 2026 Mobility application cycle as November 1, 2025 – June 5, 2026, with Spring 2027 following May 1 – October 2, 2026; TEAS and Texas licensure/certification rules still apply. See Mobility Track Nursing for updates.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA (Traditional ADN) | 2.7 across four designated prerequisites (not rounded), per ACC application materials |
| TEAS | Required for Traditional ADN ranking; minimum 68% total to earn TEAS points (higher scores earn more points) |
| Mobility & LVN tracks | Use separate application instructions; requirements differ |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
ACC publishes credit-hour tuition and mandatory fees for Texas residents (in-district vs. out-of-district) and separate totals for out-of-state/international students. Health Sciences programs also link to program-specific cost PDFs that include tools, uniforms, immunizations, insurance, and testing expenses beyond base tuition.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-district total per credit hour | $85 (tuition + general, student success, and sustainability fees) |
| Out-of-district total per credit hour (Texas resident) | $286 (includes $201 out-of-district fee per credit) |
| Out-of-state / international (examples) | $218/credit in-district column; $419/credit out-of-district column for a single credit—see full matrix for multi-credit totals |
| Other common charges | $50/course fee for select lab-intensive courses; $10 Health Professions insurance fee per applicable course; potential third-attempt surcharge ($60/credit) |
| Program-specific estimates | Download nursing cost sheets from sites.austincc.edu/health/program-costs/ for ADN, LVN, and RN-BSN tracks |
| Source | ACC tuition & fees table (also mirrored at admissions.austincc.edu/tuition-table/). Confirm effective term with the Cashier/Student Accounting office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Beyond NCLEX pass rates, ACC publishes cohort completion percentages for Traditional ADN, Mobility ADN, and RN-BSN (full-time and part-time). For example, ACC lists a Fall 2023 Traditional cohort graduating Spring 2025 with an 86.3% completion rate and Mobility cohort completion rates in the high 80s to mid-90s for recent year pairs—always read the exact cohort labels on the ACC outcomes page because they change each reporting cycle.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass | 92.41% combined Traditional & Mobility ADN, 2023 (ACC citing TBON) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass | 98% LVN, 2023 (ACC newsroom) |
| Program completion benchmarks | ACC lists cohort completion statistics by entry term on its Professional Nursing outcomes page; examples include 86.3% (Traditional, Fall 2023→Spring 2025) and 88–95% Mobility cohorts cited for adjacent years |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; ACC notes strong regional demand without a single audited placement percentage in the materials cited here |
| Source | ACC Professional Nursing outcomes and ACC newsroom |
Is Austin Community College the Right Fit for You?
ACC suits students who want multiple nursing entry points, transparent TBON-referenced outcomes, and in-state tuition advantages inside the ACC taxing district—but you must accept competitive admission ranking and daytime/evening time demands once accepted.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live inside the ACC district (or can budget for out-of-district tuition) and plan to work in Central Texas after licensure.
- Want an ADN first, optional LVN stop-out, or RN-BSN completion without transferring out of the college system immediately.
- Can meet strict science prerequisite timelines (for example microbiology within five years) and maintain a 2.7+ nursing prerequisite GPA.
- Are comfortable with ATI TEAS preparation and CastleBranch compliance workflows.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect automatic admission after general college acceptance—Health Sciences seats remain limited.
- Cannot relocate or travel across the Austin metro for assigned clinical rotations.
- Need a program without entrance exams or competitive ranking formulas.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
ACC nursing students draw clinical experiences from a dense Austin–Round Rock healthcare market. Large nonprofit and for-profit systems such as St. David’s HealthCare, Ascension Seton, Baylor Scott & White Health, and UT Health Austin–affiliated facilities routinely host student nurses across Central Texas, alongside community clinics and long-term care partners. Exact site lists rotate each semester under clinical contracts.
| Organization / system | Relevance to ACC students |
|---|---|
| St. David’s HealthCare | Major hospital network operating multiple acute-care sites in Travis and surrounding counties—common destination for capstone and specialty rotations. |
| Ascension Texas (Seton) | Large regional footprint including children’s and adult acute care—frequent partner for maternal-child and med-surg clinicals. |
| Baylor Scott & White Health | Regional system with facilities extending into the Austin metro—potential site for specialty or ICU-related experiences. |
| Community & public health partners | County health clinics, school nursing, and long-term care organizations round out population-based experiences. |
Confirm your assigned rotation list with ACC Clinical Education coordinators—this table highlights regional context, not a guaranteed placement roster.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Professional Nursing instruction occurs primarily on ACC’s Eastview and Highland campuses in Austin, with additional utilization of the Round Rock campus noted in ACEN disclosures. Vocational nursing students may attend other Health Sciences facilities depending on cohort scheduling. Expect rigorous lab and simulation schedules layered on general student services—advising, counseling, veterans support, and the Highland learning commons are available systemwide.
Student life is commuter-oriented: most nursing students balance coursework with employment, childcare, or caregiving. ACC’s Health Sciences advisors run information sessions and application workshops; take advantage of those structured sessions because they double as checklist reviews for CastleBranch and TEAS readiness.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- District office
- Austin, Texas
- Address
- 6101 Highland Campus Drive, Austin, TX 78752, US
- Main telephone
- (512) 223-7000
- Health Sciences
- (512) 223-5700
- Admissions / Help Desk
- (512) 223-4636 · students.austincc.edu/help
- Website
- austincc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Professional Nursing FAQ and download the Traditional or Mobility application packet that matches your pathway.
- Map ACC prerequisites to your transcripts, paying attention to five-year science limits and math testing rules for pharmacology.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS if you are pursuing Traditional ADN; aim above the 68% minimum so you capture ranking points.
- Attend a live or virtual information session and retain the signed post-test confirmation required for your CastleBranch upload.
- Estimate tuition using the official table plus the nursing program cost PDF for your track (link on the program-costs page).
- Create calendar reminders for the next application window close date and CastleBranch deadlines.
- Skim the TBON Education Dashboard entry for Austin Community College to see how public reporting aligns with ACC’s figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Austin Community College a good choice for nursing?
ACC publicly documents ACEN accreditation for its ADN and RN-BSN programs and publishes NCLEX outcomes attributed to the Texas Board of Nursing—for example a 92.41% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (2023 combined ADN tracks) on its Professional Nursing site. Whether it is the best fit depends on your budget, district residency, and ability to meet competitive admission rules; confirm the newest data with ACC and TBON.
What are the admission requirements for ACC’s Traditional ADN track?
You must complete designated science and pharmacology prerequisites with grades of C or better, maintain at least a 2.7 prerequisite GPA (not rounded), pass CastleBranch requirements, earn qualifying ATI TEAS scores (68% total minimum to receive TEAS points), and submit application materials within the posted window. Mobility, LVN, and RN-BSN requirements differ—use the track-specific checklist on sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Austin Community College ADN graduates?
ACC reports a 92.41% overall first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Traditional and Mobility ADN graduates in 2023, citing Texas Board of Nursing data. Always cross-check newer cohorts on the TBON Education Dashboard because licensure exam statistics update annually.
Does ACC offer an RN-to-BSN program?
Yes. ACC lists a Bachelor of Science in Nursing completion track for licensed RNs and states it is accredited by ACEN with Initial Accreditation for RN-BSN. It does not replace an ADN; you must meet RN licensure or program-specific progression rules outlined in RN-BSN admissions materials.
How much does ACC charge per credit for nursing prerequisites?
As published on ACC’s tuition table, most Texas students pay $85 per credit hour in district or $286 out of district once mandatory fees are included; international and out-of-state students use higher published columns. Nursing courses may layer additional course and insurance fees—see the tuition table and program-cost PDF for your pathway.
When are ACC nursing application deadlines?
For Traditional ADN, ACC lists Fall 2026 admissions from November 9, 2025 through April 1, 2026, and Spring 2027 from April 5 through August 7, 2026—these dates come directly from the Traditional application page and change annually.
What TEAS score does Austin Community College require?
Traditional ADN applicants need a minimum total TEAS score of 68% to be eligible for TEAS-related ranking points; higher percentiles map to additional points in ACC’s published rubric.
Can I work while attending ACC nursing school?
Many ACC students work, but clinical and lab schedules are fixed once you enter the professional sequence. Plan for weekday clinicals, possible early mornings, and substantial study time; speak with advisors about realistic work-hour limits before you accept a seat.
How do I contact ACC Health Sciences about nursing?
Call Health Sciences at 512-223-5700 or use the contact form linked from sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/. For general admissions holds or residency questions, the Student Help Desk at 512-223-4636 can route you.
References
- Austin Community College — Nursing (all programs)austincc.edu/…/health-sciences/nursing
- ACC — Professional Nursing (ADN & RN-BSN outcomes)sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg
- ACC — Traditional ADN application processsites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/apply/traditional
- ACC — Tuition & fees tableaustincc.edu/students/tuition-and-payments/tuition-table
- ACC — Health Sciences program costssites.austincc.edu/health/program-costs
- ACC Newsroom — NCLEX pass rates (Feb. 28, 2024)sites.austincc.edu/newsroom/2024/02/28/…
- Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboardbon.texas.gov/education_school_resultsDashboard.asp.html
- Texas Board of Nursing — Homebon.texas.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX sourcing alignment with Austin Community College and Texas Board of Nursing references, ACEN accreditation language, tuition table figures, and Traditional vs. Mobility admissions distinctions.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Austin Community College and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy