13 Easiest Nursing Schools to Get Into: High Acceptance Rates

While nursing is a lucrative and prestigious career, becoming a registered nurse in the United States is more difficult than it seems.

Getting into any nursing school is tough due to the large applicant pool and limited spots. This is why we covered the 13 easiest nursing schools to get into in this article.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

What you need to get into nursing school

Below are some major requirements that admission applicants must meet before being accepted.

1. Complete the prerequisites. Regardless of the type of nursing degree you aim for, these prerequisites must be completed before anything else. The common nursing prerequisites are:

2. Decide on the nursing program you are going for. There are different types of nursing degree programs, but there are two major ones; the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)/Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

The former takes about two years to complete, while the latter takes four years. Both programs make a Registered Nurse upon completion and passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Suppose you are not financially capable of funding any of these programs. In that case, you can earn a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)/Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) degree at any community college near you. It takes one year to complete.

3. Find schools offering the program. A quick Google search will get hundreds of nursing schools near you. Check for those offering your intended program and filter the list by making sure:

While searching for the perfect nursing school, be on the lookout for diploma mills and stay away from online nursing school programs to avoid getting scammed.

4. Meet the minimum admission requirements. Visit your school website and check their admission requirements and the class profile for admitted students of the previous year or academic session. Apart from GPA, most nursing schools require that you pass an entrance exam.

5. Complete the application. Pay the non-refundable application fee and fill out all required fields in the form. Make sure you review it at least twice before submission and that it’s submitted before the deadline.

6. Prepare for the admissions interview. Qualified students are usually interviewed before the school can make its final decision on whether or not an applicant is a perfect fit. The invitation is sent a few days before the interview, and those who don’t appear are automatically rejected.

Understand the mission and vision of the school you are applying to and research the questions they ask. It is normally about describing yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, why you chose this path, why you should be accepted, etc.

7. Wait for your acceptance or rejection letter. Even with your perfect GPA and good grades, you can be rejected or added to the school’s waitlist. Most schools notify applicants of when to expect admission decisions and are usually sent via email or SMS.

Don’t give up if rejected; this is why most people apply to more than one nursing school when seeking admission. Some nurses applied more than twice before being admitted; if you want it so bad, get it.

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Easiest nursing schools with High Acceptance Rates

Below are some of the easiest nursing programs to get into in 2023

1. Saint Anthony College

Acceptance rate: 100%

Established in 1915, Saint Anthony College of Nursing is a private nursing school affiliated with Roman Catholic Church and is among the best nursing schools in Illinois. The school has a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 92% graduation rate.

To be admitted to SACN, applicants must have completed at least 32 out of the 64 required prerequisite credits and a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

The school offers a variety of educational options, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, RN to BSN program, Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. Apart from the traditional BSN, all other programs are available online.

2. Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Acceptance rate: 100%

Cox College is an accredited private academic institution in Missouri offering three nursing programs. It enrolls less than a thousand students annually and has a 12% projected job growth.

The school has different enrollment tracks and program options to fit student needs. For their ASN program, you need at least a 3.0 GPA and a minimum score of 22 in the math section of the ACT to be considered for admission.

3. Lewis-Clark State College

Acceptance rate: 100%

Earning your BSN nursing degree at Lewis-Clark State College is one of the best ways to save money, especially if you reside in Idaho or Asotin County. The Idaho Board of Nursing approved the program and was accredited by the CCNE.

LC State nursing school has a 94.87% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate for its pre-licensure BSN graduates. It consistently ranks among the top nursing schools in Idaho, offering students a strong foundation in health sciences and practical nursing skills, preparing them to become skilled and compassionate healthcare providers.

Given the increasing demand for highly trained nurses nationwide, those earning their BSN degree at LC State are typically in high demand upon graduation. 

4. Finger Lakes Health College

Acceptance rate: 100%

Founded in 2008, Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a private, not-for-profit institution in Geneva. Since its inception, the school has graduated over 500 registered nurses with a 60% graduation rate.

While it has no specific GPA requirement for admission, coursework grades below a ‘C‘ are not accepted. FLHCON has a 96% Licensing Exam pass rate on 1st attempt.

5. UTEP School of Nursing

Acceptance rate: 100%

The Univerity of Texas at El Paso School of Nursing is one of the easiest nursing schools to get into in the nation. Also, it’s consistently ranked among the best nursing schools in the Southwest.

To be admitted to UTEP nursing school for its traditional BSN program, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a 62% score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam. The school has a high retention rate and a 97.5% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate.

6. ATU Ozark Nursing School

Acceptance rate: 95%

Arkansas Tech University Nursing School offers a Practical Nursing program that prepares students for entry-level nursing (LPN). It has a 97.3% pass rate for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam.

Also, the school offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS-RN) program for LPN or paramedics to progress in their careers. You need at least 1000 hours of clinical experience and must have completed 37 hours of coursework with a minimum 2.75 GPA to be accepted.

7. South Dakota State University

Acceptance rate: 94.9%

South Dakota State University nursing school is one of the less competitive nursing schools to get into in the United States. It has various degree options for prospective nursing students and an 89% NCLEX-RN pass rate.

To apply for its BSN program, applicants need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 with no less than a grade of “C” in all completed courses. Admitted students have average GPAs ranging from 2.73 – 4.0, and the school receives less than 200 applications annually.

8. Nebraska Methodist College

Acceptance rate: 92%

Since its creation in 1891, Nebraska Methodist College nursing school has produced successful nursing graduates equipping them with the needed experience to work with different patients. It is among the easiest nursing schools anyone smart enough can get into in 2023.

The nursing school at NMC has a 95.27% NCLEX exam pass rate, and about 96% of its BSN graduates are employed within six months of graduation. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as part of their admission requirements.

9. Mennonite College of Nursing

Acceptance rate: 81%

Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University is among the best nursing schools in the region and is less selective. It has maintained a 96% NCLEX pass rate for five years.

The traditional BSN program is relatively affordable, especially for in-state students. To get admitted, you need a 2.5 or higher GPA; transfer students must have completed at least 55 credit hours.

10. URI College of Nursing

Acceptance rate: 76%

The University of Rhode Island College of Nursing offers an accredited BSN program. Applicants need a grade point average over 3.0 and a minimum grade of ‘C’ or better to get admitted.

URI nursing school does not accept transfer students to its pre-licensure nursing program. The program prepares its graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam, a requirement for licensure as a registered nurse in the United States.

Graduates from the program are prepared for a diverse range of nursing roles and have a strong foundation in critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills.

11. Loyola’s Marcella Neihoff

Acceptance rate: 67%

Marcella Neihoff School of Nursing at Loyola University Chicago offers a 4-year BSN and an Accelerated BSN (ABSN) program. The school is affiliated with several hospitals and medical centers making it easier for students to complete their clinical rotations.

Loyola Nursing has a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 88.6% and enrolls more than 1,200 students annually. Part of its admission requirements includes having a BA or BS degree from an accredited institution and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.

12. University of Rochester

Acceptance rate: 66%

University of Rochester School of Nursing is known for its diverse student population. Its ABSN program is not only less competitive but also has maintained a 94.5% NCLEX pass rate for the past five years.

The Commission accredits all nursing programs at Rochester nursing school on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the academic institution enrolls over 500 students annually.

13. Western Kentucky University

Acceptance rate: 65%

WKU School of Nursing offers accredited associate, baccalaureate, and graduate nursing programs. It is one of the best nursing schools in Kentucky.

To apply to Western Kentucky’s BSN program, you need at least a grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. However, to ensure guaranteed admission, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.6, an ACT composite score of 23, or an SAT composite score of 1130 or above.

Easy nursing programs to get into by state

In the table below, we outlined less selective nursing schools in some states in the US.

State	Nursing school
New York	Helene Fuld College of Nursing
California	San Diego State University
Texas	East Texas Baptist University
Florida	Keigwin School of Nursing
Michigan	Detroit Mercy’s McAuley
North Carolina	FSU School of Nursing
Pennsylvania	Mercyhurst University Nursing School
Georgia	Georgia Baptist College of Nursing
Indiana	Indiana State University School of Nursing
Washington	Northwest University’s College of Nursing
Massachusetts	Fitchburg State University Nursing School
Colorado	UCCS College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Conclusion

Becoming a licensed nurse in the US in 2023 is not easy. We covered some of the least selective academic institutions offering an accredited nursing degree.

These universities’ least selective nature does not undermine the quality of their nursing programs. They continue to produce high-quality nursing professionals. Remember, selectivity and quality are not the same.

Questions, suggestions, or criticism are welcome. Feel free to use the comments section below. Don’t forget to share this post with others 🙂