Top Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs
If your career goals include becoming a registered nurse (RN), there are two pathways: an associate's degree in nursing (ADN degree) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Both options help to enable students to earn RN credentials. However, an ADN is the shorter and cheaper route to becoming an RN. This article will cover the top ADN programs across the country and share essential information you need to know about each program.
Fast Facts About ADN Nursing Programs |
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Salary |
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, registered nurses earned a median income of $86,070 annually or $41.38/hr. |
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Program length |
2-3 years |
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Requirements |
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What is an ADN Nursing Program?
An ADN is a two-year nursing degree from a community or junior college. Upon graduation, ADN students become eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to obtain licensure to practice as an RN in their state.
Most ADN programs take about two years to complete full-time. However, students often take up to three years to complete the program and take licensing examinations.
Both ADN and BSN students learn critical thinking and clinical nursing skills. Also, ADN and BSN-trained nurses are employed in various hospitals and healthcare facilities and care for patients in many different bedside care positions.
However, the main difference is that a BSN is a four-year degree, and an ADN is a two-year degree. BSN-trained nurses receive expanded education and clinical experience. For this reason, some employers prefer BSN-trained nurses over ADN-trained nurses.
When considering earning an ADN, your career aspirations, how much you want to spend on your education, and how quickly you want to start working are all important factors.
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Top 10 ADN Nursing Programs
Choosing an ADN program is a massive decision that requires careful consideration. The good news is that Nurse.org has compiled a list of the best ADN programs in the country.
Our ranking system considers accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, post-graduation employment rates, and student-faculty ratio.
1. Santa Monica City College, Santa Monica, CA
Located in southern California, Santa Monica City College has a 100% job placement rate for 2021-2022 ADN graduates. This university also has transfer articulation agreements with several University of California and Cal State University campuses for students who wish to continue their education and obtain a BSN.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $46
- Nonresident: $316
- Application Deadline: July 11th
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (310) 434-4000
- Email: admissions@smc.edu
2. Cayuga Community College, Auburn, NY
Cayuga Community College has a campus in Auburn and Fulton, NY. To gain entry into this program, prospective students must fill out a university application and a separate nursing program application.
The school encourages applicants to enroll in the Liberal Arts and Sciences/Humanities and Social Science program before pursuing nursing. Doing so allows students to complete their nursing school prereqs and select required nursing degree courses. Following this plan, they will earn their ADN in three years.
- Semesterly Tuition
- Resident: $2,496
- Nonresident: $4,992
- Application Deadline: January 15th
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (866) 598-8883
- Email: admissions@cayuga-cc.edu
3. Howard College, Big Spring, TX
The ADN program at Howard College takes two years of full-time study to complete. In the second year, students attend online lectures, which provides more flexibilty and conveneince.
Howard College also has several articulation agreements in the area. So, many ADN graduates will continue their education at a university to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
- Tuition Per Credit:
- Howard County Residents: $72
- Texas Residents (Non-Howard County): $152
- Nonresidents: $179
- Application Deadline: June 1st
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (432) 264-5074
- Email: lgabehart@howardcollege.edu
4. Chabot College, Hayward, CA
The Chabot College ADN program boasts a 100% NCLEX pass rate every year from 2015 to 2022. The school admits 40 new nursing students each fall, which makes this program somewhat competetive.
Students attend this program in four consecutive semesters, excluding summers. Following the program, they earn their ADN degree in just two years.
- Application Deadline: January 31st
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (510) 723-6600
- Email: ccarcom@chabotcollege.edu
5. Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake, WA
Students who want to attend BBCC's ADN program must submit their applications by April 15th to start class in the fall. Big Bend's admits between 24 and 28 new ADN students annually, depending on clinical spaces and available faculty. Although the college prefers applicants with some experience in patient care, it is not mandatory.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $58.94
- Nonresident: $59.79
- Application Deadline: April 15th
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (509) 793-2222
- Email: NursingProgram@bigbend.edu
6. Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Asheville, NC
A-B Tech boasts its commitment to providing a student-centered and high-quality ADN educational program. In addition to the standard 2-year ADN, the college offers an LPN-RN and paramedic to RN bridge, which can help other healthcare workers more easily transition to nursing.
The school offers two start dates annually in the spring and fall. It also reports that ADN students find employoment within six months of graduation.
- Annual Tuition
- Resident: $1,216
- Nonresident: $4,288
- Application Deadline: Rolling (Fall and Spring)
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (828) 398-7900
- Email: info@abtech.edu
7. Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ
Students at Mesa Community College’s ADN program receive a variety of course schedules and may choose between morning, afternoon, and evening cohorts. Clinical experiences take place in various laboratory, simulation, in-patient, and outpatient settings.
- Tuition Per Credit
- In-County: $85
- Out-of-County: $441
- Program Length: 2 Years
- Application Deadline: Rolling
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (480) 461-7106
- Email: tuesdee.pfeiff@mesacc.edu
8. Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, CA
Saddleback College’s ADN program began in 1971 and has an outstanding reputation in its healthcare community. NCLEX pass rates are consistently higher than state and national pass rates. ADN graduates from the university work in various nursing positions, and many continue their education to earn a BSN.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $46
- Nonresident: $295
- Application Deadline: July 17th
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (949) 582-4500
- Email Information: schshs@saddleback.edu
9. Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg, IL
100% of Southern Illinois College’s ADN program students passed their licensure exams the first time upon graduation in 2020. Many students from the university also go on to continue their education and earn a BSN.
- Tuition Per Credit
- In-district: $106
- Out-of-district: $172
- Out-of-state: $180
- Application Deadline: March 31st
- Contact Information:
- Phone Number: (618) 252-5400
- Email: nursing@sic.edu
10. Seminole State College of Florida, Altamonte Springs, FL
Seminole State has one of the nation's best NCLEX-RN licensure pass rates. In fact, 97% of graduates passed on their first attempt in 2020, compared with a 68.8% statewide average during the same year. Graduates also gain employment quickly, and the university has a 94.9% job placement rate.
The university also offers a part-time option for students working toward their ADN. Both full-time and part-time ADN programs seamlessly transfer into the university’s RN-to-BSN program.
- Tuition Per Credit
- Resident: $104.08
- Nonresident: $381.57
- Application Deadline: May 12th
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (407) 404-6196
- Email: onlineadvisor@seminolestate.edu
Types of ADN Nursing Programs
Online
Some ADN programs offer online lectures and coursework that students may complete remotely. However, all ADN nursing programs have clinical requirements that students must complete in person.
In-Person
Most ADN programs are on a university campus, where students attend in-person classes. However, many in-person programs are “hybrids " that offer some online coursework.
Bridge
Bridge ADN programs allow LPNs to earn an ADN without starting their education from scratch. Many universities take prior nursing education and professional experience into account so students can complete their programs more quickly.
