UT Austin · School of Nursing
UT Austin School of Nursing
Complete guide to UT Austin's BSN program: admission criteria, curriculum, clinical rotations, NCLEX pass rate, cost, and career outcomes for Texas and OOS nursing students.
Cites Texas Education Code §54.052Last reviewed 2026-06-23Not affiliated with UT or THECBPublished by Luke Allen, TREC #788149
UT Austin Nursing at a glance
UT Austin School of Nursing offers a competitive BSN direct-admit program (~150-180 students per cohort; ~12-18% acceptance rate). Admitted profile: 3.7-4.0 GPA, SAT 1400+, strong high school science. NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90-95% first attempt. Cost: base UT tuition + small nursing fees. Median starting RN salary: $65K-$75K; specialty and advanced practice (NP, CRNA) $100K-$200K+ long-term.
Program overview
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Length: 4 years (direct admit) or 2-3 years (transfer)
- Cohort size: ~150-180 direct admits per year
- Total undergrad enrollment: ~400 BSN students
- Location: UT main campus, School of Nursing building
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Ranking: Top 50 nursing schools nationally
Admissions
- Acceptance rate: ~12-18% direct admit
- Non-resident acceptance: lower due to 10% OOS cap
- Admitted GPA: 3.7-4.0 unweighted
- Admitted SAT: 1400+ typical
- High school prep: Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy&Physiology, Statistics
- Application: ApplyTexas + separate nursing application
- Deadline: November 1 priority
Curriculum highlights
- Year 1: Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, Microbiology, general education
- Year 2: Foundations of Nursing, Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology
- Year 3: Adult Health Nursing, Maternal-Child Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, clinical rotations begin
- Year 4: Community Health, Leadership, Critical Care, Capstone Preceptorship, NCLEX preparation
Clinical rotations
- Rotations begin sophomore/junior year
- Rotation sites: Ascension Seton Medical Center, St. David's Medical Center, Dell Children's Medical Center, other Austin hospitals
- Rotations across specialties: med-surg, ICU, ER, pediatrics, OB, mental health, community health
- Senior year capstone preceptorship: extended clinical placement
- Total clinical hours: 800+ before graduation
Career outcomes
| Role | Starting Salary | 5-Year Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Staff RN (medical-surgical) | $65K-$75K | $75K-$85K |
| ICU/ER Specialty RN | $75K-$85K | $85K-$100K |
| OR/Cath Lab Specialty RN | $75K-$90K | $90K-$110K |
| Nurse Practitioner (post-MSN) | $100K-$130K (post-grad) | $130K-$150K |
| Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA, post-DNP) | $180K-$220K (post-grad) | $200K-$275K |
| Nurse Manager | $85K-$100K (post-experience) | $100K-$130K |
Top employers for UT Nursing graduates
- Ascension Seton Healthcare Family (Austin)
- St. David's HealthCare
- Dell Children's Medical Center
- Baylor Scott & White Health (Temple, Austin area)
- Texas Children's Hospital (Houston)
- MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston)
- UT Health Houston hospitals
- Methodist Hospital System (San Antonio)
Frequently asked questions
What is the UT Austin School of Nursing?
The UT Austin School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as well as graduate programs (MSN, DNP, PhD). The BSN is a 4-year direct-admit undergraduate program (some students transfer in). Located on UT main campus. Approximately 400 undergraduate BSN students total enrollment. Consistently ranked top 50 nursing schools in the US.
What is the UT Austin nursing admission rate?
BSN direct admit acceptance rate at UT Austin is approximately 12-18%. Approximately 150-180 students admitted per cohort. Highly competitive due to limited seats. Admitted profile: 3.7-4.0 unweighted GPA, SAT 1400+, strong science coursework in high school (Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy&Physiology recommended).
What is the UT Austin NCLEX pass rate?
UT Austin BSN graduates achieve NCLEX-RN pass rate of approximately 90-95% on first attempt. Above the Texas state average and comparable to top nursing programs nationally. Strong first-time pass rate reflects rigorous curriculum and clinical preparation.
How much does UT Austin nursing cost?
UT Austin nursing tuition is approximately base UT tuition ($11,688 in-state / $44,908 out-of-state) plus small nursing-specific fees. Clinical supplies, uniforms, and licensing fees add $500-$1,000/year. Nursing scholarships available through the School of Nursing and external nursing associations.
What can UT Austin nursing graduates earn?
Median starting salary for UT Austin BSN graduates: $65,000-$75,000 for hospital RN positions. Higher-paying specialties (ICU, ER, OR) can start at $75,000-$85,000. Nurse anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), and specialty certifications add substantial income long-term ($100,000-$200,000+).
Where do UT Austin nursing graduates work?
Top employers: Ascension Seton (Austin), St. David's HealthCare, Baylor Scott & White (Temple, Austin area), Dell Children's Medical Center, Texas Children's Hospital (Houston), MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston), UT Health Houston hospitals. Many graduates remain in Texas; some pursue out-of-state opportunities.
What are the pre-req courses for UT Austin nursing?
BSN prerequisites (typically completed freshman year for direct admits): Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology, Chemistry (general and organic), Statistics, English Composition, Psychology, Growth & Development, Nutrition. Direct-admit students take these prereqs freshman year alongside nursing-specific coursework.
Can I transfer into UT Austin Nursing?
Yes but competitive. Transfer acceptance rate is lower than direct admit. Requires completion of prerequisites with 3.5+ GPA, competitive nursing GPA if from another nursing program. Most transfers enter from Texas community colleges or other undergraduate programs.
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