University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Flagship public nursing school on the UT Austin campus with a competitive four-year BSN, alternate-entry MSN/DNP/PhD pathways for career changers, APRN DNP options, and nationally visible research funding. This guide ties program names to nursing.utexas.edu sources, cites published School of Nursing undergraduate tuition from the UT catalog tables, and points to the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard for program-level NCLEX-RN outcomes.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UT Austin’s School of Nursing pairs a single-campus Austin BSN with rare alternate-entry graduate pathways (AE-MSN, AE-DNP, AE-PhD) for students who already hold non-nursing degrees, extensive simulation through the LEAP Center, and major nursing research infrastructure—confirm your NCLEX questions against Texas Board of Nursing dashboard rows for the exact program name you intend to enter.
Overview & Why Students Choose UT Austin Nursing
The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing sits at 1710 Red River Street next to UT’s health-sciences district, giving pre-licensure students access to Austin’s teaching hospitals and community agencies while graduate students pursue leadership, APRN, and research doctorates in programs the school markets as among the top-ranked in Texas.
Public-facing materials emphasize research intensity (including major NIH-linked funding), simulation and skills infrastructure through the LEAP Center, and a degree mix spanning traditional BSN study, alternate-entry graduate paths for career switchers, and doctoral nursing science.
For Board-reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates tied to UT Austin’s approved pre-licensure programs, use the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard and search for The University of Texas at Austin program entries (BSN and alternate-entry routes that lead to RN licensure may appear as separate rows by approval type). This page does not substitute a live dashboard lookup—confirm the latest reporting cycle with the Board and UT nursing Academic Services.
Reasons students consider UT Austin
Capital-city clinical volume
Austin anchors Central Texas trauma, academic medical, and safety-net systems; UT nursing publicly orients clinical education around diverse inpatient and community settings across the region.
Alternate-entry graduate options
AE-MSN, AE-DNP, and AE-PhD tracks recruit holders of non-nursing bachelor’s or graduate degrees who want RN preparation embedded with an advanced credential—less common than standalone ABSN-only portfolios.
Research & policy footprint
Facts & Rankings materials cite sizable extramural funding and high national standing for graduate programs—useful if you want nursing science, health policy, or simulation scholarship adjacent to practice training.
Simulation & LEAP infrastructure
The LEAP Center houses simulation, skills labs, and academic success services referenced on utexas.edu nursing pages—supporting deliberate practice before high-acuity rotations.
Public university tuition framework
Texas residents access published semester tuition tables for School of Nursing undergraduates; nonresident differentials are spelled out alongside other UT colleges in the General Information catalog.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program groupings below follow the undergraduate and graduate pages on nursing.utexas.edu (reviewed March 2026).
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Four-year BSN framed as theoretical and clinical preparation for NCLEX-RN eligibility. UT Austin admits freshmen who select nursing as a first-choice major, current UT students via internal transfer, and external transfers with prerequisite coursework; external transfers use a March 1 fall deadline and, per the public BSN page, no TEAS/HESI.
Alternate entry (non-nursing bachelor’s or graduate degree holders)
AE-MSN (LeaDs)
Combines graduate RN foundation coursework with the MSN Leadership in Diverse Settings (LeaDs) curriculum for students without a prior nursing degree.
AE-DNP
Terminal-practice doctorate for alternate-entry students; UT nursing notes that beginning Fall 2026 applications to the AE-DNP Primary Care Pediatric NP (PC-PNP) track will no longer be accepted—verify active tracks before planning.
AE-PhD
Research doctorate pathway for highly qualified non-nurses seeking RN preparation alongside PhD training.
Post-licensure & graduate (RNs)
MSN LeaDs
Master’s program for licensed RNs focusing on leadership in diverse health systems.
PhD in Nursing
Four-year full-time doctoral preparation (part-time available) with student-selected focus areas; promotional materials cite strong national PhD rankings—confirm current methodology with publishers.
DNP–Post MSN
Hybrid program (monthly Friday–Saturday on-campus intensives with online work between sessions) for RNs who already hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
APRN DNP Program
Advanced practice preparation paired with DNP completion; graduate overview lists Family NP, Primary Care Pediatric NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist emphases.
Grad certificates & portfolios
AI in Nursing and Health Care
Nine-credit online certificate focused on artificial intelligence competencies for clinicians and leaders.
Teaching Nursing
Certificate aimed at strengthening pedagogy for nurses pursuing faculty roles.
Graduate portfolio programs
UT nursing notes cross-disciplinary portfolio credentials available to graduate students alongside their primary degrees—confirm eligibility with the graduate adviser.
The summaries on nursing.utexas.edu emphasize traditional BSN and graduate pathways rather than a dedicated RN-to-BSN completion track. If you are already licensed as an RN seeking BSN completion only, confirm current options with ss@nursing.utexas.edu before assuming a program exists.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Texas Board of Nursing: Official first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for Board-approved programs appear in the Education Dashboard and related education search tools. Filter or search for The University of Texas at Austin programs to compare the BSN track versus alternate-entry pathways that produce first-time RN test takers—Texas typically reports statistics separately when programs operate under distinct approvals.
This NurseOnShift guide does not insert a static percentage because Board dashboards update by reporting cycle and program row; capture the percentage, test-taker counts, and year directly from the Board after you select the correct UT Austin program entry.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate | Look up the UT Austin program you are applying to inside the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard; record the most recent posted cycle. |
| Benchmark context | If the Board publication includes a statewide first-time pass benchmark for the same reporting window, you may compare within that official document only—do not infer comparisons from unofficial aggregates. |
| Source | Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboard; Education program search. Confirm current rates with UT nursing and the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort, pathway, and Board reporting period. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Texas Board of Nursing and UT Austin School of Nursing Academic Services before making decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Use this section as orientation only. UT Austin’s International Student and Scholar Services sets campus-wide policies, while the School of Nursing adds clinical clearance, background screening, and progression rules that can affect visa holders.
- English-language proficiency: Match TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo requirements to the office reviewing your application (Undergraduate Admissions, Graduate School, or nursing program addenda).
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow UT Austin guidance for translated coursework; nursing licensure steps may need separate evaluations recognized by the Texas Board of Nursing.
- Texas Board of Nursing: International and foreign-educated applicants must independently confirm CES providers, jurisprudence, and NCLEX eligibility through bon.texas.gov.
- Immigration & clinical placements: Because pre-licensure nursing requires lengthy clinical hours, ask ISSS and nursing advisers whether your visa category supports required placements and travel.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with UT Austin, the School of Nursing, U.S. immigration counsel as needed, and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UT Austin’s nursing school admits a small share of the university’s highly qualified applicant pool. BSN students enter through a dedicated freshman nursing major selection, competitive internal transfer, or external transfer with prerequisite alignment; graduate applicants work with the Graduate School application process and the instructions posted on each UT nursing graduate program page.
Application timeline (BSN highlights)
| Pathway | Deadline pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman BSN | December 1 (fall) | Applicants use ApplyTexas/Coalition flows described on the BSN page and submit nursing short-answer prompts. |
| External transfer BSN | March 1 (fall) | Requires biology, chemistry (no lab requirement stated on summary page), and statistics plus recommended degree-plan coursework; TEAS/HESI not required for this route per UT nursing. |
| Internal transfer BSN | Program-specific | Follow internal transfer guidance; acceptance remains competitive and space-dependent. |
| Graduate (MSN/DNP/PhD/AE) | Varies | Use Texas One Stop and graduate program pages for checklist items; contact nugrad@nursing.utexas.edu for advising. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed here. |
| Typical GPA band | Not publicly disclosed; assume highly competitive given UT Austin selectivity. |
| Standardized exams | BSN external transfer: TEAS/HESI not required per UT nursing BSN page; other pathways may differ. |
| Clinical clearance | Expect immunizations, background checks, drug screens, and fit-for-duty documentation prior to clinical courses—budget time and fees. |
Applicant tip: If you are an external transfer, map the three required prerequisites early and use UT’s Automated Transfer Equivalency tool so you do not miss March checkpoints.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
UT Austin publishes tuition by college, residency, semester credit hour load, and level. Figures below are extracted from the General Information catalog tuition tables (Fall/Spring) for undergraduate School of Nursing students taking 12 or more semester credit hours; add mandatory fees, housing, and books using Texas One Stop tools.
| Program / category | Published amount (review snapshot) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate School of Nursing (12+ SCH, fall/spring) | $6,020 per semester (Texas resident) and $23,934 per semester (nonresident) from the catalog row labeled “Nursing” for the highest SCH band—parsed March 2026 from the live tuition table HTML. |
| Mandatory fees & incremental charges | University fees (services, IT, etc.) and any course fees are listed alongside the tuition tables and fee schedules linked from Texas One Stop. |
| Graduate nursing | Consult the graduate tuition PDFs and catalog lines (including DNP-specific rows such as “Nursing Practice (DNP)” when applicable) because post-baccalaureate rates differ from the undergraduate grid. |
| Cost of attendance estimate | Use the UT cost & tuition calculator for personalized totals. |
| Source | UT Austin catalog — Tuition tables (Fall & Spring); Texas One Stop — Tuition rates. Confirm figures before each semester. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Board-reported NCLEX-RN outcomes are summarized above. Separate employment, salary, or placement marketing should only be cited when UT nursing or Career Success publishes dated tables—none are reproduced here without a primary link.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (official) | Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard entry for your UT Austin pre-licensure program and reporting year. |
| National rankings cited by the school | UT “Facts & Rankings” cites 2024–2025 publisher lists (e.g., U.S. News BSN #31 nationwide, graduate program placements)—treat as third-party rankings, not outcome guarantees. |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed in this guide. Use Career Success resources. |
| Source | Texas BON; UT nursing Facts & Rankings; Career Success. |
Is UT Austin Nursing the Right Fit for You?
UT Austin fits students who want a flagship public research university, intense admissions competition, and access to Austin’s clinical labor market with the tradeoffs of large-university complexity and nonresident tuition premiums.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want alternate-entry MSN/DNP/PhD routes that combine RN preparation with an advanced degree.
- Thrive in research-driven environments with NIH-scale nursing science activity.
- Plan to work in Central Texas health systems or use UT’s brand recognition nationally.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a part-time or fully online pre-licensure BSN (UT’s BSN page lists distance learning as not available).
- Expect guaranteed admission after meeting minimum prerequisites—nursing remains competitive at every entry point.
- Want the lowest-cost RN pathway only; compare with community college ADN routes if budget dominates.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Austin anchors the South Central Texas referral region: Dell Medical School at UT partners with Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, while nonprofit systems such as St. David’s HealthCare and Ascension Seton operate multiple hospitals across Travis and surrounding counties.
| Setting | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Academic medical & county partners | Teaching hospitals and county health infrastructure expose students to Level I trauma, specialty quaternary care, and underserved clinic populations—exact rotation sites vary by semester. |
| Regional growth | Rapid population growth sustains demand for graduate nurses; still verify contract agreements and commuting expectations with the clinical placement office. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students use the Red River Street complex (NUR building) with the LEAP Center providing simulation suites, skills labs, and tutoring. UT Austin’s broader campus supplies Big 12 athletics, hundreds of student organizations, and Austin’s music and technology culture—balanced against demanding junior- and senior-level nursing schedules.
Information sessions (including internal transfer Zooms advertised on the homepage calendar) help applicants understand progression from prerequisites to clinical cohorts.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Austin, TX
- Address
- 1710 Red River St., Austin, TX 78712, US
- General telephone
- (512) 471-7913
- Undergraduate Academic Services
- (512) 232-4780 · ss@nursing.utexas.edu
- Graduate Academic Services
- (512) 471-7927 · nugrad@nursing.utexas.edu
- Website
- nursing.utexas.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open BSN or Alternate Entry pages and confirm eligibility against your transcripts.
- Download the current BSN degree plan PDF and highlight remaining prerequisites.
- Search the Texas BON dashboard for the exact UT Austin program name you expect to enter; screenshot the latest posted cycle.
- Run the UT cost calculator with School of Nursing undergraduate tuition plus mandatory fees.
- Register for TEAS/HESI only if your specific pathway still requires it after you read the active checklist.
- Attend a nursing information session or graduate webinar listed on the UT nursing events calendar.
- Calendar December 1 / March 1 BSN deadlines (if applicable) alongside Graduate School timelines for AE or MSN/DNP applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is UT Austin School of Nursing accredited by CCNE?
Yes—the school’s accreditation page states that UT Austin’s baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Re-check CCNE’s directory for nomenclature matching your admit year.
Where should I look up official UT Austin nursing NCLEX-RN pass rates?
Use the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard, locate the UT Austin program you intend to enter, and read the posted first-time pass percentage for the reporting cycle shown there. Confirm follow-up cohorts with Academic Services.
What tuition does the UT catalog show for undergraduate School of Nursing students?
For 12 or more semester credit hours in fall/spring, the catalog tuition table lists $6,020 per semester for Texas residents and $23,934 for nonresidents (parsed March 2026). Mandatory fees are additional—see Texas One Stop.
Does UT Austin offer an accelerated campus BSN for second-degree students?
The public pages reviewed here center on the traditional four-year BSN plus alternate-entry graduate pathways rather than a stand-alone 12-month ABSN like some private programs. Career changers should review AE-MSN/AE-DNP/AE-PhD materials or compare other Texas ABSN options.
Are TEAS or HESI exams required for UT Austin BSN external transfers?
The UT nursing BSN summary states external transfer applicants are not required to take TEAS or HESI. Other applicant types may have different testing expectations—verify each checklist.
When are UT Austin BSN application deadlines?
The BSN page lists December 1 for freshman applicants (fall entry) and March 1 for external transfer applicants (fall entry). Internal transfer deadlines follow UT’s intra-university calendar.
What is the AE-DNP Primary Care Pediatric NP change announced for Fall 2026?
UT nursing’s alternate-entry page notes that applications to the AE-DNP PC-PNP track will no longer be accepted beginning Fall 2026—confirm whether the track remains on hold if you are reading this later.
Does UT Austin list an RN-to-BSN completion program?
Public undergraduate/graduate summaries emphasize the traditional BSN and graduate credentials rather than RN-to-BSN completion. Contact ss@nursing.utexas.edu if you need a BSN completion pathway as a licensed RN.
Which APRN roles does UT Austin highlight for its APRN DNP?
The graduate overview cites Family NP, Primary Care Pediatric NP, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, and Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist preparation paired with DNP completion. Detailed plans live on track-specific pages.
How large is UT Austin School of Nursing?
“Facts & Rankings” cites about 770 students and 86 faculty alongside research funding totals—use that page for the latest enrollment snapshot.
References
- UT Austin School of Nursing — homepagenursing.utexas.edu
- UT nursing — BSN program (deadlines, prerequisites, testing)nursing.utexas.edu/…/bsn
- UT nursing — graduate programs overviewnursing.utexas.edu/academics/graduate
- UT nursing — Alternate Entry (AE-MSN, AE-DNP, AE-PhD)nursing.utexas.edu/…/ae
- UT nursing — accreditation (CCNE statement)nursing.utexas.edu/accreditation
- UT nursing — Facts & Rankingsnursing.utexas.edu/about/facts-rankings
- UT Austin catalog — tuition tables (Fall & Spring)catalog.utexas.edu/…/tables-tuition-for-fall-and-spring
- Texas One Stop — tuition rates (PDFs)onestop.utexas.edu/…/tuition-rates
- Texas Board of Nursing — Education Dashboardbon.texas.gov/…/education_school_resultsDashboard.asp.html
- Texas Board of Nursing — education program searchbon.texas.gov/…/education_school_resultssearch.asp.html
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
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 via the Texas Board of Nursing Education Dashboard, alignment of the program list with nursing.utexas.edu undergraduate and graduate pages, tuition figures parsed from the UT Austin General Information catalog tuition tables, and CCNE wording matched to the school accreditation page.
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 the institution and the Texas Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy