Austin has 5 ABSN programs with estimated tuition ranging from about $23,045 to $71,200 and published timelines from 12 to 16 months. That gives applicants a much wider spread than the city had before, especially on cost and speed. The biggest takeaway is simple: Austin now offers both very low-cost public options and higher-cost private programs with different delivery models. That makes Austin a strong market for students who want to compare tradeoffs instead of settling for one type of program.
| School | Estimated Tuition | Duration | Format | GPA Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$24K | 12 months | Online with local clinical placements | 2.5 GPA | |
$24K | 15 months | In-person | 3.3 GPA | |
$59K | 13 months | In-person | 2.5 GPA | |
$56K | 15 months | Hybrid with in-person labs and clinicals | 3.0 GP | |
$72K | 16 months | Hybrid | 3.0 GPA |
TLDR Summary
Choose Texas Tech University if you want the fastest published timeline and one of the lowest tuition options in Austin
Choose Texas A&M University if you want a low-cost public program with a more traditional in-person model
Choose St. Edward’s University if you want a fast in-person path with no nursing entrance exam
Choose Concordia University Texas if you want guided structure, multiple start terms, and strong reported NCLEX results
Top Program Comparison
Best value: Texas Tech University. Texas Tech changes the Austin market in a big way. It combines the shortest listed timeline at 12 months with resident tuition of about $23,045, and it uses a structured online model with clinical placements tied to local Texas sites, including Austin.
Best low-cost in-person option: Texas A&M University. Texas A&M stays one of the strongest public options because the estimated tuition is also close to $23,000, but the format is more classroom-based and in person. It looks like a better fit for students who want a campus-driven experience and can handle a more selective admissions bar.
Fastest private option: St. Edward’s University. St. Edward’s stands out because it finishes in 13 months and does not require TEAS or HESI. That combination is useful for applicants who want speed but do not want an entrance exam in the mix.
Most balanced private option: Fairfield University. Fairfield offers a 15-month program with strong national rankings and a hybrid structure. It does not lead on cost, but it gives students a private-school option that still stays shorter than many traditional nursing routes.
Most structured and highest-cost option: Concordia University Texas. Concordia is the most expensive Austin-area option in this set, but it offers three yearly start points, a guided admissions model, hybrid delivery, and a reported 97.18% first-time NCLEX pass rate for 2024. That makes it easier to justify for students who care more about support and outcomes than sticker price.
For a broader view, it makes sense to compare this page with your Texas ABSN programs guide, especially if you are also considering other cities.
Cost Comparison
The full Austin cost range now runs from about $23,045 to $71,200. That is a very wide spread for just five programs, and it creates two clear tiers.
The three lowest-cost options are:
- Texas Tech University — about $23,045 for Texas residents
- Texas A&M University — about $23,100
- Fairfield University — $55,380
The highest-cost programs are:
- Concordia University Texas — $71,200
- St. Edward’s University — about $58,716
The value story is pretty clear. Texas Tech and Texas A&M sit in a separate low-cost tier, while the private programs cluster much higher. Concordia does note a $10,000 Nursing Workforce Development Scholarship for newly admitted ABSN students, which can reduce net cost for some students, but its listed tuition is still the highest in this Austin comparison.
Students focused on budget should also compare these schools with your fastest ABSN programs and cheapest ABSN programs guides, since Austin now has contenders for both.
Program Length & Timeline
Austin’s timeline range is now 12 to 16 months, with 15 months acting as the most common middle ground.
The shortest program in this market is Texas Tech University at 12 months. The next fastest is St. Edward’s University at 13 months. The longest program is Concordia University Texas at 16 months.
The tradeoff is straightforward. Faster programs like Texas Tech and St. Edward’s compress the path into three intense semesters. Programs at 15 to 16 months may give students a bit more structure or a blended model, but they do not match the raw speed of the shortest options. Students who want the quickest route should lean toward Texas Tech or St. Edward’s, while students who want a little more built-in support may prefer Concordia or Fairfield.
Program Format
Austin offers a real mix of structured online, hybrid, and in-person ABSN formats.
Texas Tech University is the clearest flexibility play. Coursework is delivered in a structured online format, while clinical learning happens through assigned community sites with faculty and preceptor oversight. This can fit students who want online didactic work but still need an approved clinical pathway tied to Texas locations.
Concordia University Texas and Fairfield University both use blended or hybrid structures. Concordia combines online nursing theory with in-person labs and clinicals, while Fairfield combines online coursework with Austin-based labs and clinical experiences. These models make sense for students who want some online academic flexibility but still expect a fixed cohort structure and regular in-person training.
St. Edward’s University and Texas A&M University are the most traditional in-person choices in this group. They fit students who prefer direct classroom instruction, campus-based labs, and a lockstep pace with less dependence on online delivery.
None of these programs read as self-paced. They are all structured and cohort-like, even when online course delivery is part of the model. Simulation, labs, and local clinical training remain central across the board.
Admission Requirements
Austin’s ABSN programs span a pretty wide admissions range. The lowest stated GPA floor in this group is 2.5, while the most selective published benchmark is 3.3 in prerequisite and nursing science coursework.
Texas Tech University and St. Edward’s University look more accessible on GPA alone, both starting at 2.5, though Texas Tech still expects a heavy prerequisite base and uses interviews for selected applicants.
Texas A&M is the most selective on the numbers provided, with 3.3 GPA benchmarks plus a HESI A2 requirement. Concordia requires a 3.0 GPA and ATI TEAS, while Fairfield requires a 3.0 GPA and has rolling admissions with science expectations that lean strong.
Prerequisite intensity is high across the market. Science coursework, psychology, statistics, and other core requirements show up almost everywhere, and several schools also expect recent science coursework or partial completion by the deadline.
Start terms also vary:
- Concordia offers multiple annual entry points
- Fairfield uses rolling admissions
- St. Edward’s is fall-entry only
- Texas Tech is spring only
- Texas A&M lists two deadlines
That matters if timing is part of your decision.
Who This Location Is Best For
Austin is a strong fit for applicants who want real choice. It works especially well for budget-focused students, students chasing the fastest ABSN path, and applicants deciding between structured online, hybrid, and traditional in-person learning. It also suits students who are comfortable sorting through different admissions styles, because this market includes both lower-GPA entry points and highly selective public options. If you want to stay in Central Texas but compare other areas too, it is worth linking out to nearby-city guides and the full Texas ABSN page before making a final choice.
This video reviews the top 3 programs in all of Texas in case you want to expand your options: