Paris Junior College Nursing (2026): LVN Ladder, Costs & NCLEX
📋 Nursing School Profile

Paris Junior College Nursing Review (2026): LVN, LVN-to-RN & Outcomes

On its Paris main campus, Paris Junior College (PJC) has taught nursing since 1968 using a published one-plus-one ladder: a Vocational Nursing certificate (LVN) followed by an LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing (A.A.S.) track for licensed vocational nurses—there is no separate traditional (non-LVN) ADN on the public pages reviewed. This guide cites 2024 NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN rows from PJC’s ACEN-required disclosure tables, per-credit tuition from the 2025–26 catalog, and selective admission timelines from PJC’s nursing admissions sites—always confirm live details with Health Occupations and the Texas Board of Nursing.

~12 min read Updated April 1, 2026 Expert Reviewed
95%
NCLEX-RN (school-reported CY 2024, BON calendar year)
~$13.3K
Est. ADN total in-district (cost sheet)
3
Tracks (ADN, Transition, VN)

Quick Facts

Type
Public community college
Accreditation
LVN-to-RN ADN: ACEN Continuing Accreditation + TX BON approval (per PJC disclosure); confirm LVN status with ACEN/BON
Programs
Vocational Nursing (LVN cert.) → LVN-to-RN ADN (A.A.S.) ladder; Paris campus
Tuition
$90 / $140 / $190 per SCH in-district / out-of-district / non-resident (2025–26 catalog); OK residents pay out-of-district
NCLEX (2024)
NCLEX-RN reported 86.67% (46/59); NCLEX-PN reported 100% (41/41)—PJC disclosure tables; confirm with TBON
Deadlines
LVN apps Nov 1–Mar 31 window; LVN-to-RN apps Mar 1–May 31 (per PJC admission pages)

Key Takeaway

PJC anchors nursing in Lamar County and the broader Northeast Texas micropolitan region, pairing a public college price with a clearly sequenced LVN → RN curriculum. Published ACEN-required outcome tables let you compare recent NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN performance against Texas and national rows printed beside PJC’s own percentages—then validate newer cohorts with the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard.

Overview & Why Students Choose Paris Junior College

Paris Junior College is a public institution based in Paris, Texas (main campus at 2400 Clarksville Street), with extension centers in Greenville and Sulphur Springs for broader college coursework. The nursing webpages reviewed position instruction on the Paris campus, combining classroom, laboratory, and clinical training marketed as collaboration with hospitals and community sites.

PJC organizes pre-licensure nursing around a ladder: students typically complete the LVN program first, pass NCLEX-PN, earn a Texas (or compact) LVN license, then apply to the LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing sequence that culminates in NCLEX-RN eligibility. PJC’s program pages note transfer options toward a BSN at partner universities but do not award a bachelor’s in nursing on campus.

NCLEX & outcomes

PJC publishes multi-year NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN tables on its ACEN accreditation data and Vocational Nursing admissions pages. Always confirm newer graduate-year rows there and cross-check program-level data using the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard.

Reasons students choose Paris Junior College

Transparent NCLEX reporting

Disclosure tables pair PJC pass percentages with Texas and national comparison columns for the same graduate year—useful context when benchmarking, not a guarantee of future cohort results.

Structured LVN → RN ladder

The published model lets students enter practice as an LVN before committing to the 12-month LVN-to-RN sequence described on PJC admissions materials.

Regional workforce alignment

Paris sits between the Dallas–Fort Worth corridor and rural Red River communities—clinical training is framed around hospitals, clinics, and long-term settings common to Northeast Texas.

ACEN-recognized ADN pathway

PJC states the LVN-to-RN ADN holds ACEN Continuing Accreditation and Texas Board of Nursing approval—confirm both remain current before you enroll.

Catalog-listed tuition clarity

The 2025–26 catalog prints straightforward per-semester-credit-hour tuition tiers, helping you estimate LVN (50 SCH) and ADN (60 SCH) baseline costs before fees.

Nursing Programs Offered

The section below reflects Paris Junior College program webpages (parisjc.edu/pathways/health-careers/) and the downloadable 2025–26 PJC Catalog & Student Handbook. PJC separates practical (PN / LVN) pre-licensure from registered-nursing (RN) pre-licensure delivered through the LVN-to-RN track—not a parallel generic “direct-entry” ADN on the materials reviewed.

Pre-licensure (PN / LVN track)

Certificate

Vocational Nursing (LVN)

50 semester credit hours; credential is a certificate; program may be completed in about 12 months across Summer, Fall, and Spring per the LVN admissions page. Graduates take NCLEX-PN. Offered on the Paris campus with on-campus classwork and clinical rotations.

Pre-licensure (RN track)

Pre-licensure

Associate Degree Nursing (LVN-to-RN), A.A.S.

60 semester credit hours; Associate of Applied Science; may be completed in about 12 months (Fall, Spring, Summer) after LVN licensure and prerequisite completion, per the ADN program page. Applicants must maintain an active, unencumbered LVN license in Texas or a Nurse Licensure Compact state. Graduates take NCLEX-RN.

Post-licensure / transfer context

Transfer

BSN partnerships

The ADN page references BSN completion through partnerships with other universities; those programs award the bachelor’s through the partner institution after you meet separate admissions requirements.

Selective admission

Nursing at PJC is selective: you cannot self-register for nursing courses without department approval. Applicants must meet prerequisite GPA, background-check, and point-ranking criteria described on PJC’s LVN and LVN-to-RN admissions pages.

NCLEX Pass Rates

NCLEX-RN (LVN-to-RN ADN)

On its ACEN student achievement disclosure, Paris Junior College lists first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rates for the Associate Degree Nursing program by graduate year, with Texas and national averages shown in the same table. For 2024, PJC reports 86.67% (46 of 59), compared with 92.15% for Texas and 88.56% national on that same row—meaning PJC’s published RN cohort for that year trailed the Texas average while landing below the national column printed beside it.

Historical context from the same table: 2023 reported 77.97% (46/59); 2022 reported 86.21% (50/58); the printed three-year average is 83.61% for PJC versus 89.37% Texas and 86.54% national. Texas requires programs to meet at least an 80% pass-rate benchmark—PJC notes that rule on the disclosure page.

NCLEX-PN (Vocational Nursing)

The Vocational Nursing admissions page reproduces an NCLEX-PN table: for 2024, PJC lists reported 100% (41 of 41) with Texas at 93.25% and national at 88.38% in the same row. Prior years on that page include 92% (46/50) in 2023 and 88.46% (46/52) in 2022—demonstrating cohort variability.

MetricValue
NCLEX-RN (graduate year 2024)Reported 86.67% (46/59); Texas comparison 92.15%; national comparison 88.56% (same PJC table)
NCLEX-RN 3-year average (2022–2024 rows)PJC average 83.61%; Texas 89.37%; national 86.54% per same disclosure
NCLEX-PN (graduate year 2024)Reported 100% (41/41); Texas 93.25%; national 88.38% (PJC LVN admissions table)
SourcePJC — Accreditation Data (NCLEX-RN); PJC — LVN Admissions (NCLEX-PN); Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard. Confirm current cohorts with PJC and the Board.
Disclaimer

Pass-rate numerators and denominators follow definitions chosen by the reporting entity. Always read PJC’s footnotes, verify graduate-year updates on the official pages, and compare against Board dashboards before you treat any percentage as predictive of your own outcome.

International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses

If you are an international applicant or a foreign-educated nurse, you must coordinate PJC admissions, clinical clearance, and Texas Board of Nursing eligibility as separate processes. Visa status, prior nursing education outside the United States, and English-proficiency policies can differ from domestic LVN applicants—use this checklist, then confirm each item with PJC and the BON.

Key items to verify
  • English proficiency: Request current TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent requirements from PJC Admissions; nursing frequently expects higher benchmarks than general college minimums.
  • Transcript evaluation: Ask how international prerequisites map to BIOL 2401/2402, PSYC 2314, and other PJC nursing admission courses.
  • Texas BON requirements: Review fingerprinting, jurisprudence, NCLEX eligibility, and (if applicable) CGFNS pathways before you commit to clinical coursework.
  • Immigration & clinical compliance: Clinical rotations require background screening and may restrict online-only enrollment—confirm with PJC International Student Services and Health Occupations before planning travel.

This section is practical guidance, not legal advice. Requirements change; verify with Paris Junior College and the Texas Board of Nursing.

Admissions: A Realistic Look

Paris Junior College nursing pathways are selective—you must receive department permission before enrolling in nursing courses. Applicants coordinate with the Health Occupations office for applications, transcripts, Texas Board of Nursing background checks, and immunization requirements.

Application timeline

ProgramWindow (per PJC pages)Notes
Vocational Nursing (LVN)Applications available Nov 1 – Mar 31; contact Health Occupations early for BON background check stepsCall 903-782-0734 or email nursing@parisjc.edu; deadline is whatever date appears on the current paper application
LVN-to-RN ADNApplications available Mar 1 – May 31Submit to Health Occupations by the deadline printed on the form; incomplete/late packets are not considered
General college admissionYear-round via PJC admissionsIf you have not attended PJC within the past year, complete the college application and transcript review before nursing selection

Admissions snapshot

FactorDetails
Acceptance rateNot publicly disclosed—expect competitive seat selection via PJC’s point worksheets
LVN prerequisitesPSYC 2314, BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, BIOL 1322 with C or better each and ≥2.5 prerequisite GPA; optional support courses earn up to 5 admission points
LVN-to-RN prerequisitesAdds PSYC 2301, ENGL 1301, and other courses listed on the RN admissions page—same 2.5/“C” thresholds; licensed LVN status required
Competitive points21 points available for LVN; 17 points for LVN-to-RN including support-course completion per admission pages
TEAS / HESINot listed on the Paris JC admission pages reviewed—confirm annually in formal application packets
Clinical clearanceTexas BON criminal background screening (initiate via Health Occupations), immunizations, and other clinical requirements noted in department handbooks

Honest tips: Because RN progression requires an active LVN license, build your timeline around NCLEX-PN success and any BON delays before you count on an LVN-to-RN seat. Request the latest paper application every cycle—deadlines on the form supersede summary guides.

Tuition & Cost of Attendance

The 2025–26 Paris Junior College Catalog publishes a Tuition and Fixed Fee Schedule with tiered per-credit-hour rates. Multiply those rates by the credit totals shown on PJC’s nursing program pages (50 SCH for Vocational Nursing; 60 SCH for the LVN-to-RN ADN) to approximate tuition only, then add course fees, uniforms, equipment, liability insurance, testing, and any prerequisite credits you still owe.

MetricValue
In-district tuition (per SCH)$90 per semester credit hour (2025–26 catalog table)
Out-of-district tuition (per SCH)$140 per semester credit hour
Non-resident / international (per SCH)$190 per semester credit hour; catalog notes Oklahoma residents pay the out-of-district rate
Illustrative tuition (LVN, 50 SCH, tuition only)In-district ≈ $4,500; out-of-district ≈ $7,000; non-resident ≈ $9,500 — excludes fees/supplies/prerequisites
Illustrative tuition (ADN, 60 SCH, tuition only)In-district ≈ $5,400; out-of-district ≈ $8,400; non-resident ≈ $11,400 — excludes fees/supplies/prerequisites
SourceParis Junior College — 2025–26 Catalog & Student Handbook (PDF); Contact PJC (Business Office phone); financial-aid@parisjc.edu. Confirm totals with Student Accounts.

Student Outcomes & Career Prospects

Beyond NCLEX, PJC’s accreditation disclosure lists program completion, graduation, and placement metrics. For example, the completion table cites 84.85% completion (58 of 66 admitted) for 2023, 81.82% (56 of 66) for 2022, and a three-year average completion of 86.2%—read PJC’s footnotes for how readmissions are treated.

Placement: The same disclosure reports graduate placement rates (employed in nursing or a related field, military, or further education) of 84.5% for 2022–23, 89.1% for 2021–22, and 88.7% for 2020–21, with a three-year average of 87.4%. Confirm methodology with the college because placement definitions differ from NCLEX pass rates.

MetricValue
NCLEX-RN (graduate year 2024)Reported 86.67% (46/59) with Texas/national comparisons on the PJC table
NCLEX-PN (graduate year 2024)Reported 100% (41/41) on the PJC LVN admissions table
Program completion (example: 2023 cohort)Reported 84.85% (58/66) completion rate — PJC accreditation page
Placement (2022–23 graduate year)Reported 84.5% — PJC accreditation page
SourcePJC — Accreditation Data (completion & placement); PJC — LVN Admissions (NCLEX-PN). Confirm current graduate-year rows with PJC.

Is Paris Junior College the Right Fit for You?

Paris Junior College suits learners who want a public-college price, can commit to face-to-face coursework in Paris, and are comfortable entering nursing first as an LVN before pursuing the LVN-to-RN bridge. It is a weaker match if you need a direct-entry RN program without first completing vocational nursing at PJC.

✓ Good fit for students who—

  • Prefer a published one-plus-one ladder with documented NCLEX and completion tables.
  • Plan to live or work in Northeast Texas while attending and can commute for campus labs and clinical shifts.
  • Value ACEN-disclosed benchmarks that show both strong years (for example PN cohorts) and challenging RN years side-by-side with state and national columns.
  • Want to begin nursing practice after the first year as an LVN before committing to RN coursework.

✗ May not be ideal for students who—

  • Need a traditional four-semester ADN that skips LVN licensure—PJC’s public RN pathway reviewed here requires LVN status.
  • Expect a fully online pre-licensure clinical program.
  • Cannot pass Texas BON background checks or meet immunization/clinical requirements.
  • Prefer a program where RN NCLEX data never dip below statewide comparison averages—PJC’s published 2023–2024 RN rows illustrate variability.

Local Healthcare Ecosystem

Paris anchors Lamar County and draws patients from the Red River border region—providing a blend of rural health, primary care, and referral-level services closer to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Major local acute providers include Paris Regional Health, while nearby communities rely on critical-access hospitals, skilled nursing, and outpatient clinics typical of a micropolitan service area.

Facility / contextRelevance to PJC students
Paris Regional HealthLarge community hospital headquartered in Paris—illustrative of the acute-care environment many local nursing graduates support.
Regional long-term & outpatient sitesPJC markets vocational nursing careers spanning hospitals, physician offices, clinics, and long-term care—matching the mixed employer base around Paris.
Clinical assignmentsPJC does not publish a static affiliate list on the marketing pages reviewed; confirm active contracts each term with the nursing department.

Why it matters: Graduates often remain in Northeast Texas facilities that hire LVNs and ADN-prepared RNs for med/surg, geriatric, and community-based roles—experience gained near home can convert directly into job offers when demand spikes.

Student Experience & Campus Life

PJC’s Paris campus spans 54 tree-lined acres southwest of downtown, mixing historic Architecture (including the 1941 Administration Building on Clarksville Street) with modern classrooms and labs. Nursing students should expect significant time in health-professions labs and off-site clinical rotations rather than a traditional residential “college town” lifestyle—though PJC does promote campus activities, athletics, and organizations for students balancing rigorous clinical schedules.

Extension centers in Greenville and Sulphur Springs expand access to general education and workforce coursework; confirm whether your specific nursing cohort requires courses exclusively in Paris versus occasional cross-site offerings.

Resources & Next Steps

Contact & location

Campus location
Paris, TX — main health programs reviewed on Paris campus
Main address
2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX 75460, US
Main telephone
903-785-7661
Admissions & Records
903-782-0425 · pjcadmissions@parisjc.edu
Health Occupations / nursing applications
903-782-0734 · nursing@parisjc.edu
Director of Nursing
dhollidai@parisjc.edu · 903-782-0758 (contact block on PJC nursing program pages)
Website
parisjc.edu

Official links

Your “Next 7 Days” checklist

  • Download the 2025–26 PJC Catalog PDF and read the Tuition & Fees chapter.
  • Print or request the current LVN/LVN-to-RN paper application from Health Occupations and note the printed deadline.
  • Begin the Texas BON background-check process when instructed—do not wait until the final week.
  • Map prerequisites to your transcripts and calculate your admission points using PJC’s worksheets.
  • Budget tuition using the per-SCH table plus uniforms, testing, travel, and missed work during clinicals.
  • Bookmark the Texas BON Education Dashboard for independent NCLEX comparisons.
  • Email nursing@parisjc.edu with program-specific questions after reading the official instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What nursing pathways does Paris Junior College actually offer?

PJC advertises a one-plus-one ladder: Vocational Nursing (certificate / NCLEX-PN) on the Paris campus, then an LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursing track leading to NCLEX-RN for students with an active LVN license. The public pages reviewed do not describe a parallel traditional, non-LVN ADN; verify exceptions directly with Health Occupations.

How did Paris Junior College’s RN cohort compare with Texas averages in 2024?

PJC’s ACEN disclosure lists 86.67% (46/59) NCLEX-RN for graduate year 2024 beside a 92.15% Texas column and 88.56% national column—so the published year trailed both comparison fields on that table. Use the same source for historical years and the Texas BON dashboard for additional verification.

What NCLEX-PN information should I trust for Paris Junior College?

The LVN admissions page lists reported 100% (41/41) for 2024 with Texas and national comparisons in the same row—always confirm newer graduate-year rows on that page and with the Board because denominators shrink year to year.

How much is tuition if I attend Paris Junior College from Paris (in-district)?

The 2025–26 catalog tuition table shows $90 per semester credit hour for in-district students. A 50 SCH LVN program equates to roughly $4,500 in baseline tuition before fees, while 60 SCH for the ADN equals roughly $5,400—add prerequisites, supplies, and institutional fees separately.

When can I pick up a Paris Junior College nursing application?

Vocational Nursing applications are available November 1–March 31; LVN-to-RN packets are available March 1–May 31. Deadlines are printed on each year’s application—call 903-782-0734 if you need a mailed copy.

Does Paris Junior College list TEAS or HESI exams?

The admission web pages reviewed stress prerequisite grades and competitive point worksheets, not ATI TEAS or Elsevier HESI minimums. If a new testing rule appears, it will be communicated on the official application—ask Health Occupations each cycle.

What employment outcomes does Paris Junior College publish?

The accreditation disclosure cites placement rates of 84.5% (2022–23 graduates), 89.1% (2021–22), and 88.7% (2020–21) with a three-year average of 87.4% using PJC’s stated definition (employment, military, or continued education). Confirm current reporting with the college.

Can I transfer into a BSN after Paris Junior College?

PJC’s ADN page references BSN pathways through partner universities after you meet their admissions standards—the bachelor’s degree is awarded by the four-year partner, not PJC.

References

  1. Paris Junior College — LVN-to-RN Associate Degree Nursinghttps://parisjc.edu/pathways/health-careers/associate-degree-nursing.php
  2. Paris Junior College — Vocational Nursing (LVN)https://parisjc.edu/pathways/health-careers/vocational-nursing.php
  3. Paris Junior College — LVN-to-RN Admissionshttps://parisjc.edu/pathways/health-careers/admission-rn.php
  4. Paris Junior College — Accreditation Data (NCLEX-RN, completion, placement)https://parisjc.edu/pathways/health-careers/accreditation-nursing.php
  5. Paris Junior College — 2025–26 Catalog & Student Handbook (PDF)https://www.parisjc.edu/academics/docs/2025-26-course-catalog.pdf
  6. Paris Junior College — Paris Campus / Contacthttps://parisjc.edu/locations/paris.php
  7. Paris Junior College — Contact PJChttps://parisjc.edu/about/contact-pjc.php
  8. Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboardhttps://www.bon.texas.gov/education_school_resultsDashboard.asp.html

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 alignment of program scope (LVN ladder), NCLEX tables, catalog tuition, and admissions timelines with Paris Junior College’s public nursing webpages and the 2025–26 PJC catalog PDF.

Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, immigration, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and clinical contracts change; always verify with Paris Junior College and the Texas Board of Nursing.

Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy