Dallas College — El Centro Campus Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
El Centro is Dallas College’s downtown campus: ADN nursing, the Vocational Nursing (LVN) program at the nearby Health Sciences Center, stackable CNA options, and an online RN-BSN completion track. Figures below come from Dallas College’s March 2026 disclosures—confirm tuition, admission tests, and cohort outcomes with the School of Health Sciences and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
El Centro pairs a dense urban campus on Main Street with the Downtown Health Sciences Center on Market Street—minutes apart in the West End—so pre-licensure students can move between general education courses, skills labs, and downtown clinical affiliates serving Dallas County’s safety-net and academic medical networks.
Overview & Why Students Choose El Centro College
El Centro College is one of seven campuses that operate under the Dallas College umbrella, but it remains the anchor for downtown credit programming and for many Health Sciences pathways. Nursing is administered system-wide: you apply to the Dallas College School of Health Sciences, rank campuses when prompted, and follow the packet for the specific program (ADN, vocational nursing, RN-BSN, or allied health).
The March 2026 Dallas College nursing site highlights published NCLEX outcomes by campus code—El Centro (“EC”) showed a 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate for academic year 2024-2025 (75 of 78) in the ACEN outcome table—useful for applicants comparing Dallas College locations.
We cite Dallas College’s published ACEN outcomes for the El Centro ADN cohort (AY 2024-2025). For board-verified exam statistics and program approval status, also review the Texas Board of Nursing education dashboard. Confirm every figure with Dallas College and the Board before you budget or rank choices.
Reasons students choose El Centro College
Urban clinical density
Downtown Dallas puts students within reach of large hospital systems, county facilities, and long-term acute partners—rotation sites shift each term but Dallas College vocational materials cite affiliates such as Methodist Health System and the Dallas VA among examples.
Stackable nursing ladder
Students can progress from CNA coursework into LVN, then into the ADN (including the LVN-RN Advanced Placement option), and finish with the online RN-BSN—all without leaving the Dallas College ecosystem.
Transparent tuition snapshots
Dallas College publishes rounded program-hour tuition totals for Dallas County residents ($5,940 ADN, $4,257 LVN, $11,880 RN-BSN on the March 2026 pages), which helps applicants compare in-district totals before aid.
Published NCLEX context
Because Dallas College separates outcomes by campus, you can compare El Centro’s 96% NCLEX-RN figure (AY 2024-25) against other Dallas College nursing sites using the same ACEN table.
Nursing Programs Offered
Dallas College’s March 2026 “Nursing” and “Vocational Nursing” marketing pages list what is available at each campus. The items below are explicitly tied to El Centro or to El Centro’s Health Sciences footprint.
Pre-licensure & entry credentials
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN), A.A.S.
Four-semester (standard) pre-licensure RN program offered at Brookhaven, El Centro, Mountain View, and North Lake. Graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN. Dallas College also publishes an LVN-RN Advanced Placement option for licensed vocational nurses who meet higher GPA thresholds and prerequisite rules.
Vocational Nursing Certificate (LVN)
Eligible students complete prerequisites plus two long semesters and two five-week summer terms. Classes meet days-only at the Downtown Health Sciences Center (301 N. Market St.), one block north of the Main Street campus. Graduates take NCLEX-PN.
Certified Nurse Aide (CNA)
Dallas College’s nursing overview lists CNA among workforce certificates offered across multiple campuses including El Centro. Verify start terms and registration through Continuing Education or the School of Health Sciences.
Post-licensure
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Dallas College’s online completion program for licensed RNs lists El Centro among campus affiliations. It is ACEN initially accredited per the March 2026 disclosure—confirm course modality, capstone expectations, and pricing separate from pre-licensure programs.
Related technical credential
Simulation Operations Specialist (ATC)
Advanced technical certificate that supports healthcare simulation teams; Dallas College includes El Centro among campuses offering nursing-related credentials. It is not an RN license pathway.
Dallas College states that its associate and vocational nursing programs are ACEN-accredited with conditions, meaning the commission continues formal oversight. That is not the same as an unconditional continuing accreditation—confirm letters and timelines with Dallas College, ACEN, and the Texas Board of Nursing.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Dallas College’s March 2026 nursing degrees page, the El Centro (“EC”) campus reported a 96% NCLEX-RN pass rate for academic year 2024-2025, calculated as 75 of 78 first-time testers in the published ACEN outcomes table. Dallas College also aggregates outcomes across Brookhaven, El Centro, Mountain View, and North Lake—compare campus rows if you are deciding among Dallas College locations.
For NCLEX-PN, Dallas College’s vocational nursing page still displays historical El Centro LVN rates (2019–2021) but does not yet show 2024-2025 PN data in the snippet we reviewed; use the Texas Board of Nursing dashboard for the freshest PN cohort statistics.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (El Centro campus, first-time) | 96% (75/78, academic year 2024-2025 per Dallas College ACEN table, updated July 13, 2026) |
| NCLEX-PN (El Centro historical sample) | Dallas College lists 100% (2019), 88% (2020), and 75% (2021) on the vocational nursing page—seek newer cohort data via the Texas Board of Nursing. |
| Source | Dallas College Nursing — Degrees & Certificates; Dallas College Vocational Nursing; Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboard. Confirm every cohort with the Board and Dallas College. |
NCLEX outcomes change by campus, cohort, and reporting methodology. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Texas Board of Nursing and Dallas College before choosing a start term.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Dallas College’s international office, the School of Health Sciences, and the Texas Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Texas Board of Nursing: For RN or LVN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS reviews, and any jurisprudence requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Dallas College’s admissions teams and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
General admission to Dallas College does not guarantee a seat in nursing. Each nursing pathway uses competitive selection, prerequisite GPA calculations, entrance exams, background checks, and drug screening after provisional acceptance. Always download the newest packet from the School of Health Sciences “Information Packets & Sessions” hub—the LVN and ADN packets differ.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADN / LVN cohorts | Published per packet | Dallas College hosts information sessions and posts deadlines inside each program packet; sessions may fill quickly. |
| RN-BSN | Rolling / term-based | Confirm multi-start calendar, RN license verification, and any stats prerequisites on the RN-BSN page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage—treat all pathways as competitive. |
| Prerequisite GPA | Traditional ADN applicants typically need ≥2.5 on designated science/English/math courses; LVN-RN Advanced Placement requires ≈3.0 cumulative on prerequisites per Dallas College GPS materials—confirm exact courses in the catalog. |
| Entrance exam | HESI A2 is standard for Dallas College allied health programs; Composite and subject minimums vary by pathway. |
| Clinical clearance | Criminal background check and drug screen required after admission for clinical affiliates. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Dallas College publishes rounded totals based on program credit hours for Dallas County residents, noting that most required learning materials are bundled into the figures on the March 2026 nursing pages. Students outside the county or state should model budgets with Dallas College’s residency rules plus any supplemental lab, insurance, or clinical fees detailed in the health packets.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| ADN (A.A.S.) | ≈$5,940 tuition for program hours (Dallas County) |
| Vocational Nursing (LVN) | ≈$4,257 tuition for program hours (Dallas County) |
| RN-BSN | ≈$11,880 tuition for program hours (Dallas County) |
| Certified Nurse Aide | ≈$1,500 (Dallas College nursing overview, Mar 2026) |
| Source | Dallas College Nursing — Degrees & Certificates; Vocational Nursing; Paying for College. Confirm residency tiers, fees, and aid with Dallas College. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Dallas College’s ACEN outcome tables include graduation metrics and a “working in nursing within six months” row. El Centro’s ADN line shows volatility (for example, 32% in AY 2022-2023 versus 100% in AY 2023-2024) because survey response counts differ—read the denominator before comparing years.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (EC) | 96% (75/78, AY 2024-2025, Dallas College ACEN table) |
| Working in nursing ≤6 months (EC ADN) | Dallas College reported 100% (29 of 29 respondents) for AY 2024-2025—confirm survey methodology; non-respondents may not be counted. |
| Graduation rate (100% time, EC ADN) | 46% (28/61, AY 2024-2025, same ACEN table) |
| Source | Dallas College Nursing outcomes. Confirm with Dallas College Institutional Research. |
Is El Centro College the Right Fit for You?
Choose El Centro if you need an affordable, public pipeline into Dallas’s hospital market and can commit to downtown logistics (parking, transit, daytime LVN schedules). Look elsewhere if you need a residential campus experience or guaranteed evening-only clinicals.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want ADN, LVN, and RN-BSN options within one district-wide curriculum.
- Prefer an urban clinical environment with access to large nonprofit systems and county care networks.
- Qualify for Dallas County residency tuition or employer tuition assistance tied to local employers.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program (ADN/LVN require on-site labs and practica).
- Cannot attend daytime LVN coursework at the Health Sciences Center.
- Prefer a single four-year university experience without transferring later.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex remains one of the highest-volume hiring regions for bedside RNs. El Centro students routinely rotate through networks that reflect that mix: large nonprofit systems, Veterans Health Administration sites, long-term acute hospitals, and community clinics serving uninsured populations.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Methodist Health System | Cited by Dallas College vocational nursing materials as an example clinical affiliate. |
| Dallas VA Medical Center | Listed among example clinical partners for vocational nursing; great exposure to federal charting and veteran populations. |
| Kindred Healthcare & Brentwood SNF | Named as sample rotation partners for long-term and subacute experiences. |
| Baylor University Medical Center (nearby) | Part of the dense Dallas medical district ecosystem many graduates pursue after licensure. |
Placements change every term—request the current affiliate spreadsheet from the clinical coordinator rather than assuming a specific hospital.
Student Experience & Campus Life
El Centro’s historic campus at 801 Main Street houses general education classrooms, student services, and library resources tailored to commuter students. Skills-intensive nursing courses for vocational students convene at the Downtown Health Sciences Center (301 N. Market St.), which includes simulation-capable labs mentioned across Dallas College health program pages. Expect rigorous attendance policies, drug screening, and professional behavior standards aligned with hospital partners.
Student life is metropolitan: many nursing students balance work and family, so Dallas College emphasizes advising, the School of Health Sciences communication lines, and downtown DART access rather than a traditional residential quad experience.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Dallas, TX
- Main campus address
- 801 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202, US
- Health Sciences Center
- 301 N. Market Street, Dallas, TX (West End)
- Telephone
- 972-669-6400 (School of Health Sciences / general)
- Contact email
- AskSOHS@DallasCollege.edu
- Website
- Dallas College — El Centro
Official links
Your first-week checklist
- Open the official Dallas College nursing degrees page plus the information packet for the pathway you want (ADN vs LVN vs RN-BSN).
- Map Dallas College prerequisite courses (BIOL 2401/2402, PSYC 2301, etc.) to your transcripts and calculate both standard and science GPAs the packet asks for.
- Schedule the HESI A2 at an approved testing center only after you confirm which subjects Dallas College still requires—LVN and ADN packets differ.
- Attend a School of Health Sciences information session and screenshot the QR deadlines for your preferred campus ranking.
- Budget for background checks, immunizations, uniforms, and transportation between Main Street and the Health Sciences Center.
- Ride DART or scout parking options downtown so clinical mornings are not a surprise.
- If you are an LVN, request the LVN-RN Advanced Placement degree plan and verify your license is unrestricted.
- Cross-check NCLEX data on the Texas Board of Nursing dashboard the same week you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs can I take through El Centro College?
Dallas College lists El Centro for the ADN A.A.S., Vocational Nursing (LVN) classes at the Downtown Health Sciences Center, the online RN-to-BSN program, and entry credentials like CNA across its multi-campus nursing page. Not every credential starts every semester—use the official packet for the intake you want.
What NCLEX-RN pass rate does Dallas College publish for the El Centro ADN campus?
The March 2026 Dallas College nursing page shows 96% (75 of 78) for El Centro in academic year 2024-2025 within the ACEN outcome table. Confirm the same cohort on the Texas Board of Nursing dashboard before you treat it as final.
How much does the El Centro ADN cost for Dallas County residents?
Dallas College lists about $5,940 in tuition for the ADN based on program hours for Dallas County residents, with most learning materials bundled (March 2026 page). LVN is about $4,257 and RN-BSN about $11,880 under the same assumptions. Non-county pricing requires a separate calculation.
Does El Centro nursing require TEAS or HESI?
Dallas College health programs rely on competitive scoring that includes an entrance exam—typically HESI A2—with subject minimums outlined in the School of Health Sciences packet. Download the ADN or LVN packet rather than relying on social media checklists.
Can LVNs bridge to RN through El Centro?
Yes. Dallas College publishes an Associate Degree Nursing A.A.S. LVN-RN Advanced Placement Program Option that grants advanced standing after prerequisites, a 3.0 GPA benchmark, and proof of an unrestricted LVN license. Always work from the current catalog degree plan.
Where are classes and clinicals for El Centro nursing students?
General coursework happens at 801 Main Street, while vocational nursing meets days-only at 301 N. Market Street. Clinical rotations rotate among Dallas-area affiliates; Dallas College cites examples like Methodist Health System and the Dallas VA—your actual site list will come from the clinical faculty.
What accreditation should I verify for Dallas College nursing at El Centro?
Dallas College’s March 2026 text states ACEN continuing accreditation with conditions for ADN and LVN, and initial accreditation for RN-BSN. “With conditions” means follow-up reporting—pair that disclosure with Texas Board of Nursing approval before you enroll.
Is the Dallas College RN-BSN fully online?
Dallas College markets RN-BSN as an online completion track for currently licensed RNs, but you should still confirm any synchronous class meetings, practicum expectations, or technology fees in the RN-BSN handbook.
How hard is it to get into El Centro nursing?
Dallas College states nursing is selective and separate from general admission, using GPA, exam scores, and other ranking criteria. Because the site does not publish a simple acceptance percentage, plan for a strong prerequisite GPA, competitive HESI performance, and early packet submission.
References
- Dallas College — Nursing degrees & certificates (updated July 13, 2026)dallascollege.edu/cd/credit/nursing/pages/degrees-cert.aspx
- Dallas College — Vocational Nursing (updated July 13, 2026)dallascollege.edu/study/vocational-nursing
- Dallas College — El Centro campusdallascollege.edu/about/el-centro
- Dallas College — School of Health Sciences information packetsdallascollege.edu/schools/health-sciences/health-packets
- Dallas College — Paying for Collegedallascollege.edu/paying-for-college
- Texas Board of Nursing — Education dashboardbon.texas.gov/education_school_resultsDashboard
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
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 data alignment with Dallas College ACEN disclosures, tuition figures on the March 2026 Dallas College nursing pages, and Texas Board of Nursing verification paths.
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 Dallas College and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy