PROGRAMS

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates

RN, BSN

15 Min Read Published July 22, 2024

Many aspiring nursing students fear that they won't be able to get into a competitive nursing program because they have a lower GPA or do not have enough extracurriculars on their resumes.

Many nursing programs are highly competitive and have significantly more applications than they could reasonably accept. But if you have your heart set on becoming a nurse, don't lose faith! We've compiled a list of nursing programs with a strong track record of producing excellent nurses - these programs also have very high acceptance rates!

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10 Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into (Based on Acceptance Rates)

The schools on this list were chosen based on the following factors:

High acceptance rates
ACEN or CCNE accreditation
Accessible to students with lower grades or nursing entrance exam scores

Nurse.org does not explicitly endorse any of these schools, but we want to provide helpful information about nursing programs to help prospective students reach their career dreams.

Remember that whatever nursing program you choose, you must ensure it is accredited. Accreditation is a standardized process that evaluates nursing programs to determine if they meet specific state and national standards.

Each school or program must be accredited by one of the following:

This list includes the top 10 easiest nursing schools to get into, their acceptance rates, tuition, and specific nursing program pre-reqs.

1. Rasmussen Nursing School*

Acceptance Rate

100% (for students who meet admission requirements)

Tuition

Cost varies by program and location

Rasmussen’s nursing programs are an excellent option for students looking to earn any type of nursing degree. There are no application fees, and several of the programs have eight convenient start dates per year. There are also no wait lists for programs, and most applicants are admitted as long as they meet the admission requirements.

Students who have attended Rasmussen exceed expectations on the NCLEX. In 2023, 93% of Minnesota BSN students and 85.7% of Florida BSN students passed the NCLEX-RN.

Tuition:
- Practical Nursing: $360-$419 per credit hour
- BSN: $355 per credit hour
- MSN: $155 per credit hour
- MSN/NP: $865 per credit hour
- Post-Graduate Certificate: $260 per credit hour
- Post-Graduate/NP Certificate: $425 per credit hour
- DNP: $695 per credit hour
School Requirements:
- Rasmussen University has a 100% acceptance rate for students who complete the required application and education requirements.
- Students must complete the following for acceptance into the program:
  - Attend a nursing information session
  - Complete an online application
  - Take an entrance placement exam or TEAS exam (students may be exempt from this step depending upon the program and transfer credit)
  - Complete a background check
  - Turn in any previous college transcripts
  - RN license (if applicable)
  - ADN/LPN/BSN if applicable
  - Degrees:
    - Practical Nursing Diploma
    - LPN to RN Bridge
    - Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN)
    - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
    - BSN (2nd degree)
    - Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
    - RN to BSN
    - Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
    - Post Graduate Nursing Certificate
Website*

>>Explore Rasmussen University's Nursing Program*

2. Aspen University

Acceptance Rate

100% (for students who meet admission requirements)

Tuition

$180 to $644 per credit

Aspen University’s online nursing programs allow students to earn a variety of nursing degrees at their own pace, thanks to their flexible scheduling. The programs are all offered in a hybrid format, meaning that students are required to complete in-person clinicals, but only a few of the programs actually require attendance at the Phoenix campus.

School Requirements:
- Aspen University's Nursing program has a 100% acceptance rate for students who complete the required application and education requirements. There are no waitlists or prerequisite courses at most locations.
- Students must provide the following for acceptance into the program:
  - Completed application
  - High school transcripts or at least 15 credits of college-level coursework)
  - Official transcripts for all previous college credits earned
  - GED applicants can enroll as continuing education (non-degree seeking) students and complete prerequisite courses before reapplying for the BSN Pre-Licensure program
  - A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 is required for all previous high school or college credits
  - HESI A2 exam scores
  - Submission of a fingerprint clearance card
- Degrees:
  - RN to BSN
  - BSN (Pre-Licensure)
  - MSN
  - RN to MSN
  - DNP
Website

3. Middle Georgia State University

Acceptance Rate

100%

Tuition

Resident: $24,628
Non-Resident: $36,786

There are four campus locations for MGSU, which allows for a high acceptance rate. Three of the campuses, Macon, Warner Robins, and Dublin, all offer BSN options. There is also an online program offering an NP degree and an RN to BSN degree.

Requirements for BSN Program:
- Program Application
- Official TEAS exam score
- Nursing Entrance Exam
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Letter of intent
Degrees:
- ASN
- BSN
- MSN
  - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Certificate
  - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
- RN to BSN
Website

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

4. Western Governors University*

Acceptance Rate

100% (for students who meet admission requirements)

Tuition

$6,430 to $8,755 per six-month term

WGU’s nursing programs are highly sought after by students, especially those with an RN diploma or ADN degree who want to expand their knowledge. Various RN-to-MSN programs are available, which are more cost-effective and time-efficient for those who know they want an advanced degree.

WGU offers a flat-rate six-month term tuition for its programs, which is great for students looking to complete courses at their own rate and faster than the traditional pace.

School Requirements:
- Have an associate's degree or diploma in nursing
- Have a current, unencumbered registered nurse (RN) license
- Submit a resume
- Be actively working as an RN at the time of application and throughout enrollment in the program
- Pay a $65 application fee (waived by signing up for information online or speaking directly to an admission counselor)
- Students transferring to an MSN program at WGU can automatically enter the program upon completing the online BSN program.
Degrees:
- RN to BSN
- Nursing (Prelicensure)
- BSN to MSN
- MSN
- RN to MSN
- Post Master’s Certificate
Website*

>> Check out WGU's Nursing Program*

5. Regis University

Acceptance Rate

76%

Tuition

$23,495 per semester

Regis offers on-campus information sessions for traditional programs and Zoom meetings for online programs. The traditional BSN program accepts only 76 students each fall with approximately 200 students applying for consideration.

The class comprises students who have completed their prerequisites through the Regis University full-time pre-nursing program in Regis College, and transfer students who have applied after attending another institution to complete their prerequisites.

Tuition:
- Full-time undergraduate: $23,495 per semester
- Part-time undergraduate (less than 12 credit hours/ semester): $1,533 per credit hour
School Requirements:
- First-year students attending Regis University may be eligible for guaranteed admission into the BSN option if they meet all guaranteed admission policy requirements at the end of their sophomore year.
- Students not meeting guaranteed admission policy requirements are still eligible to apply to the traditional BSN program and have their applications competitively reviewed.
- Admission requirements include:
  - Cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or above
  - Prerequisite coursework with a C- or above:
    - Chemistry
    - Anatomy
    - Physiology
    - Microbiology
  - Grade of "C" or better in all Regis University coursework
  - Recommendation of pre-professional advisor
  - TEAS and HESI exams are not required
Degrees:
- BSN
- BSN (Accelerated)
- RN to BSN
- RN to MSN
- MSN
- DNP
- Post BSN to DNP
- Post Graduate Certificate
Website

6. University of North Carolina Pembroke

Acceptance Rate

90%

Tuition

$148.78 - $315.44 per credit hour

The nursing program at UNC Pembroke focuses on the roles of teaching, research, and community service. Students have access to high-quality, cost-effective education, allowing students to improve health across the life span for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

Tuition:
- In-State: $148.78 per credit hour
- Out-of-State: $315.44 per credit hour
- Distance Education In-State: $108.20 per credit hour
- Distance Education Out-of-State: $274.87 per credit hour
School Requirements for BSN:
- Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Students must have a "C" or better in all nursing prerequisite classes
- Completion and submission of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS™) to UNCP before January 31.
- Submission of a supplemental application to the School of Nursing by February 15 of the year they plan to enter the BSN program.
Degrees:
- Pre-licensure BSN
- RN to BSN
- MSN
- DNP
Website

7. Lewis-Clark State College

Acceptance Rate

87%

Tuition

$358 per credit

Located in Lewiston, Idaho the pre-licensure BSN program is a four-semester program that prepares students to enroll in a traditional BSN program. The nursing program at the college is the only 4-year nursing degree program in Northern Idaho.

School Requirements:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) in all college coursework.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) in the courses below.
- Anatomy & Physiology + lab (full series, 8-semester credits)
- Chemistry + lab (General, Organic & Biochemistry preferred)
- Microbiology + lab
- Statistics
- All Prerequisite courses passed with a C or better
- Certification as a Nursing Assistant (CNA), LPN/LVN, or LCSC Equivalency
Degrees:
- Traditional BSN
- LPN to BSN
- CC to BSN
- RN to BSN
- Nursing Management & Leadership Certificate
- Graduate Certificate in Nursing Management & Leadership
Website

8. University of Texas, El Paso

Acceptance Rate

100% (for students who meet admission requirements)

Tuition

$256.90 - $866.35 per credit hour

UTEP prides itself on focusing on the community and working with nursing students to find job placement after graduation. More than 60% of El Paso nurses are UTEP graduates. Additionally, UTEP prides itself on being the first national research university with a 21st-century demographic.

Tuition:
- Undergraduate:
  - Resident: $256.90 per credit hour
  - Non-Resident: $772.50 per credit hour
- Graduate:
  - Resident: $339.10 per credit hour
  - Non-Resident: $866.35 per credit hour
School Requirements:
- Although admission requirements are less rigorous, the university reports that their BSN graduates consistently surpass local and national averages for first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN.
- Admissions requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0
- Fill out the online application
- Transcripts
- Master'sCT exams scores
- Permanent resident card or residency affidavit
Degrees:
- Traditional BSN
- RN to BSN
- Master's Programs
- Nursing Administration and Management (NAM)
- Nursing Education (NE)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal NP
- Pediatric Acute Care NP
- Pediatric Primary Care NP
- Psychiatric Mental Health NP
- Post Graduate with Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Recognition
- Post Graduate without Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Recognition
- Post Graduate’s Nurse Certificates
- DNP
Website

9. Arizona College of Nursing - Tempe

Acceptance Rate

100%

Tuition

$44,892

Classes start about every eight weeks, six times per year. Students can earn a BSN in as little as three years. Accredited by the CCNE, students have access to state-of-the-art high-fidelity human patient simulation laboratories. There are also convenient night classes for general education courses. The main location is in Tempe, AZ; however, there are multiple other locations available to students throughout the country.

School Requirements for BSN:
- High school or college cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Weighted composite score of 60% on the HESI A2 Admissions Exam
Degrees:
- BSN
Website

10. Chamberlain University

Acceptance Rate

90%

Tuition

Varies by program

The number of nursing programs available at Chamberlain is truly impressive. Students can earn a BSN in three years and can easily continue to advanced education opportunities. Chamberlain essentially guarantees alumni a place in their MSN programs as long as they meet the criteria.

With the majority of the MSN and post-MSN graduate certificate programs entirely online, students receive the same quality of education as those who attend brick-and-mortar schools.

Tuition:
- BSN Pre-licensure: $93,585 - $102,453 total cost (depending on location)
- RN to BSN: $31,835 total cost
- MSN NP tracks: $710 per credit hour
- MSN Non-NP tracks: $695 per credit hour
- RN to MSN & MSN Accelerated Options: $695 per credit hour
School Requirements:
- Complete online application
- Interview with the admission representative
- Proof of high school graduation or GED equivalent
- Schedule the HESI admissions assessment
- ACT or SAT scores must be sent directly to the college
- Applicants must prove English proficiency
Degrees:
- 3-Year BSN
- RN to BSN
- MSN
- Accelerated MSN
- Accelerated RN-MSN
- Nurse Practitioner
- Graduate Certificates
- DNP
Website

Who Should Consider Looking Into Nursing Schools With Higher Acceptance Rates?

Many nursing programs with high competition choose students based on the following:

Higher GPA in high school
Higher prerequisite science grades
Volunteer
A higher score on the TEAS, HESI, or other nursing prerequisite exam

No matter how much you may desire to start a nursing career and feel it's the right path for you, if you don't have the highest GPA or the most extracurriculars, you may want to keep your options open by applying to schools with higher acceptance rates to ensure that you will get into a program.

Aspiring nursing students must research several nursing programs to learn about admission requirements for each. Nursing programs have different admissions requirements, prerequisite courses, GPA requirements, and entrance exam scores. Depending on the applications received, those requirements may also vary from semester to semester.

Pros and Cons of Nursing Schools That Are Easier to Get Into

Students who attend a nursing program with a higher acceptance rate will tell you that their programs are as rigorous and intensive as more competitive schools. No matter where you go, accredited nursing schools will be incredibly challenging and prepare you to succeed as a registered nurse!

Pros:

Acceptance with a lower GPA or TEAS scores
Acceptance with less or no volunteer experience or extracurricular experience
Students with a GED may find acceptance easier

Cons:

Some private schools with lower GPA requirements may cost significantly more
You will need to ensure that either the ACEN or CCNE accredits your school
Less connections to teaching hospitals, level 1 trauma centers, and Magnet hospitals for clinical placement
Less 1:1 attention

Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Will You Get the Same Level of Education at One of These Schools?

Just because one nursing program is easier to get into than another does not mean it isn't a great school or won't provide the highest standard of nursing education. The most crucial factor is that ACEN or CCNE accredits them. Accreditation ensures that your nursing program meets specific state and national standards.

Remember, you are choosing a nursing program that is right for you, just as your nursing program selects students that are right for them. Choosing the right nursing program is a two-way street!

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing a Nursing School

It is essential to consider how much time you have to study to ensure that you prepare yourself for the rigorousness of nursing school.

Essential factors you want to determine when choosing a nursing program include:

The program's NCLEX pass rate
ACEN and CCNE accreditation
Cost of the nursing program
Will you work part-time or attend school full-time?
Do you have a support system to help you with family obligations?
Will you work during your program?
Do you prefer a brick-and-mortar program, or would an online option make more sense?
Career aspirations? MSN/NP/DNP?
Do you need a program that will find clinical placements and preceptors?

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