Undoubtedly, nursing is one of the most sought-after courses in the medical field. Like medicine, nursing has competitive requirements, which is seen as a way to check the graduation-employment ratio.
Of these requirements, many nursing schools only accept students who pass their entrance examinations. This may, however, be a challenge for some interested applicants.
As rare as they can be, some nursing schools do not require students to write entrance examinations. But like I said, they can be rare to find.
To save you the trouble, I have compiled a list of top nursing schools that do not require entrance exams. Nevertheless, entry into these schools may involve other requirements.
Top 9 No Entrance Exam Nursing Schools
Here is a list of the top 9 no-entrance exam nursing schools in the United States;
1. Oregon Health & Science School of Nursing
Oregon Health & Science School of Nursing (OHSU) is a no-entrance exam nursing school offering a traditional and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
The traditional BSN program lasts 3 years, while the accelerated program lasts 15 months. Students who already hold bachelor’s degrees in a non-related field follow the accelerated track, while non-degree-holding students follow the traditional track.
Basic requirements for admission into Oregon Health & Science School of Nursing include:
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Admission interview
- 30 hours of prerequisite courses
2. Western Governors University (WGU)
Western Governors University is another no-entrance exam nursing school in the country. The school follows a competency-based education (CBE) model, which evaluates students primarily based on their mastery of a certain skill set or know-how instead of completing certain credit hours.
Students are evaluated based on academic transcripts, work experience, and other relevant criteria. With this CBE model, students can progress in the program at their own pace. Also, the program is usually online, allowing students to attend classes from anywhere.
Still, Western Governors University’s nursing program involves clinicals that students must complete in person. As a no-entrance exam nursing school, WGU evaluates applicants based on academic transcripts, work experience, and other relevant criteria.
3. California State University, Fullerton
Like other no-entrance nursing schools, California State University does not require TEAS or HESI exams for its nursing program. However, other laid-out requirements must be met by applicants. These requirements include a BSN program application and completing high school coursework.
The nursing school also evaluates applicants depending on their high school, college, and prerequisite academic performance instead of an entrance examination.
Here’s the catch:
California State University only accepts California applicants into its nursing program. This means that applicants from other states are not eligible to apply for this program.
4. Drexel University
The nursing program at Drexel University is quite similar to that at the Oregon Health & Science School of Nursing. It offers a registered nurse program alongside an accelerated career entry (ACE) program.
Like other accelerated BSN programs, even in other nursing schools, the ACE option at Drexel University allows degree-holding students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) very quickly.
Entry requirements into the accelerated career entry (ACE) program at Drexel University include:
- Bachelor’s degree in a non-related field
- Minimum 3.0 undergraduate GPA
- Completion of prerequisite courses
5. The University of Arkansas at Little Rock
It might be surprising to find out that the nursing program at the University of Arkansas admits the most students on campus. The nursing department boasts over 600 students with a team of 26 faculty and staff members.
When this article was published, the University of Arkansas had no entrance exam requirements for its nursing program. Two prelicensure nursing programs are offered at the University, including a BSN program and an associate of applied science (AAS) RN program.
6. George Washington University
George Washington University offers one of the most expensive nursing programs among no-entrance nursing schools, at $82,400 for the entire program.
Like other nursing schools, the accelerated BSN program at George Washington University is for applicants with bachelor’s degrees in other fields. The program is a second-degree option, allowing students to transition into nursing.
Also, the nursing school at George Washington University offers a BSN veterans program option. Veterans with 60 college-level credits from academic and military experiences may partake in this program even without a prior degree.
7. The University of South Florida
The College of Nursing at the University of South Florida does not require TEAS, HESI, recommendations, or resumes for admission into its undergraduate nursing programs.
Instead, the college management admits students based on several factors, including;
- Cumulative GPA
- Admissions interview
- Prerequisite course grades
The University College of Nursing also offers two pre-licensure BSN programs. The first Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is a traditional, 4-year nursing degree track. At the same time, the other is an accelerated BSN program for students already holding a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
8. West Chester University
West Chester University is another no-entrance exam nursing school on my list. The university offers two different nursing programs, a traditional BSN and an RN to BSN program for ADN-trained nurses.
Of course, West Chester University is a great choice if you are particular about a nursing school with no entry exam requirements, such as the TEAS or HESI examinations.
However, you should be aware that the nursing program at West Chester University is quite competitive, and you need to fulfill other requirements to stand a chance. The WCU admissions office has a thorough selection process, which they conduct on a rolling basis.
9. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers up to three pre-licensure BSN programs, including a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN, and a military BSN pathway.
All programs at the University of North Carolina are completed in person on campus and do not require TEAS or HESI exams for admission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all nursing schools require exams?
No. Not all nursing schools require applicants to write and pass an entrance exam. Although many nursing schools require entrance exams, some evaluate applicants based on other factors such as cumulative GPA, admission interviews, and prerequisite courses.
All the nursing schools in this article evaluate applicants based on the aforementioned factors. If you are interested in applying to any of them, you only need to improve yourself in these areas.
Of course, you can no longer change your GPA after high school; you can still work towards a great admission interview. Check out for possible questions you may be asked and prepare yourself ahead.
Also, you should take your prerequisite courses seriously, as your grades in these courses will be a major factor in evaluating your admission.
How hard is it to pass the Nursing entrance exam?
While some nursing schools do not require entrance examinations, knowing what it takes to get into those with entrance exam requirements is still important.
The difficulty level of the TEAS and HESI A1 is comparable to the SAT or ACT. Depending on your preparation, education, and test-taking skills, these nursing school entrance exams may be challenging or relatively easy.
What is the easiest nursing degree to obtain?
It is important to note that all nursing degrees require significant coursework, exams, and clinical practice.
However, after comparing the various nursing degrees with one another, I have concluded that learning an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is the easiest.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs are usually shorter than traditional programs and focus on technical topics instead of broad knowledge. Nevertheless, you should be aware that ADN holders work under the supervision of BSN holders even though they undergo almost the same training.
Before you go
More students have been attending nursing schools that do not require entrance examinations. Although some may consider schools that require entrance exams better, I believe entrance exams are not a determining factor in how good a school is.
Most of these schools that do not require entrance examinations have other entry requirements such as GPA and admission interview, to mention a few. Some may go as far as putting prerequisites into consideration.
In essence, the decision solely depends on you. If you are not interested in writing entrance exams, you should apply to nursing schools that do not require them.
You can increase your chances of getting into nursing school in several ways. If you are confident about your GPA, you may want to apply to multiple schools. The more schools you apply to, the better your chances of getting admitted into one. Try it and see if it works out.
Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.