How to Get Into Nursing School in Texas (2026 BSN Admissions Guide)

Texas has one of the largest networks of BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs in the country, from public flagships like UT Austin and Texas A&M to dozens of private and regional schools. Admission is competitive, but the requirements are predictable once you know what to look for. This guide walks through exactly what Texas nursing programs expect.

1. Understand the GPA that actually matters

Most Texas BSN programs evaluate two GPAs: your overall (cumulative) GPA and your prerequisite/science GPA. The science GPA, your grades in Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and Chemistry, usually carries the most weight.

• Competitive public programs often expect a prerequisite GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Many regional and private programs admit with a 2.5–2.75 minimum, but a higher GPA dramatically improves your odds.
• A grade of C or better in every prerequisite is almost always required (some schools require a B in the sciences).

2. Take the right entrance exam

Texas programs use one of two entrance exams:

• ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills), the most common.
• HESI A2 (Health Education Systems, Inc. Admission Assessment), used by Baylor, Texas A&M, and several others.

Check each school individually: a few require a specific overall percentage (e.g. 65%), others require minimum scores in specific sections (Reading, Math, Science, English), and a handful require no entrance exam at all. Most programs cap the number of attempts and enforce a waiting period between retakes.

3. Finish your prerequisites early

The typical Texas BSN prerequisite list includes Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition, Human Growth & Development (Lifespan), and English Composition. Some schools also require Pathophysiology. Many programs will not let you apply until a set number of prerequisite credit hours (often 50–68) are complete.

4. Strengthen the rest of your application

• Many programs (UT Health San Antonio, Texas A&M, and others) require a Kira Talent video interview or writing sample, so practice answering short prompts on camera.
• A clear, specific personal statement about why you want to be a nurse helps in holistic review.
• Healthcare experience (CNA, EMT, volunteering, scribing) is rarely required but consistently helps.

5. Apply through the right system, on time

Several Texas programs use NursingCAS, a centralized application. Deadlines vary by intake (Fall vs. Spring), and priority deadlines for the strongest applicant pools are often months earlier than the final deadline. Build a calendar of each target school's deadline and required materials.

Know your odds before you apply

Every school weighs GPA, exam scores, and prerequisites differently. Want to see where you stand right now? Check your admission chances free against real Texas BSN requirements. If you're still mapping out the basics, see what GPA you need for nursing school and our nursing prerequisites checklist. Then use the Nursing School Planner to compare your stats against real Texas BSN program requirements and see whether each school is a Safe, Match, or Reach for you. You can also browse all Texas nursing programs in one place.

*This guide is for planning purposes only. Always confirm current requirements on each school's official admissions page before applying.*