Admissions data

Nursing School Acceptance Rates (2026)

Most nursing programs admit between 30% and 80% of applicants. Community college ADN programs typically accept 40–80%, university BSN programs 30–60%, and accelerated BSN programs as few as 10–20%. Apply across tiers so one decision doesn't decide your start date.

Median in our table: 82%; Across 10 schools
Schools with rate data: 10
States with verified tiers: 51; Reach, match, likely

Programs accepting applications

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By state

Reach, match, and likely programs in your state

Verified acceptance rates and GPA minimums, sorted into admissions tiers. We list a program only when a primary source publishes its numbers.

School data

School acceptance rates

10 schools with acceptance rate data, sorted most-selective first.

School	Acceptance rate	Difficulty	NCLEX pass rate
Chamberlain University	25%	Competitive	N/A
Case Western Reserve University	33%	Moderate	85%
Carroll Community College	62%	Moderate	N/A
Adelphi University – College of Nursing and Public Health	66%	Competitive	N/A
Burlington County College	67%	Open Enrollment	N/A
Bucks County Community College	96%	Open Enrollment	N/A
Allegany College of Maryland	99%	Competitive	N/A
Ambria College of Nursing (Judson University)	100%	Open Enrollment	N/A
Baton Rouge Community College	100%	Competitive	N/A
Brookline College	100%	Open Enrollment	79%

Additional schools by admission difficulty

Appendix

Nursing school difficulty tiers

Open Enrollment
Open or rolling admission. Meet minimum GPA (2.0–2.5). No entrance exam required. Great starting point.
Moderate
GPA 2.5–3.2 in prerequisites. May require TEAS or HESI. Healthcare experience helpful but not required.
Competitive
GPA 3.0–3.5+. Entrance exam scores required. Healthcare experience strongly preferred. Waitlists common.
Very Competitive
GPA 3.5+. Top TEAS/HESI scores. Significant healthcare experience expected. Apply to 3–5 programs.

How to maximize your nursing school application

Nursing programs are among the most competitive healthcare programs to enter. High application volumes relative to seat availability mean that strong candidates are regularly turned away from their first-choice programs. Strategic application is essential.

Apply to a portfolio of programs: 1–2 reach schools (competitive), 2–3 target schools (moderate), and 1–2 safety schools (open enrollment or higher acceptance rate). Entering as an LPN or CNA and later bridging to RN is a valid alternative if traditional programs prove difficult to enter.

Prerequisite GPA is the single most controllable factor. If your science GPA is below 3.0, retaking courses at a community college before applying can dramatically improve your odds. Many programs calculate a separate prerequisite GPA and weigh it heavily.

What is a typical nursing school acceptance rate?

Nursing program acceptance rates vary widely. Community college ADN programs range from 40–80% acceptance. BSN programs at universities typically accept 30–60% of applicants. Highly competitive programs like accelerated BSN programs at private universities may accept only 10–20% of applicants.

What are the most competitive nursing programs?

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs are typically the most selective, as they attract career changers who already hold bachelor's degrees. Programs with strong NCLEX pass rates and clinical partnerships in major metropolitan areas tend to have the most competitive admissions.

How can I improve my nursing school application?

Focus on prerequisite GPA (most programs want 3.0+, competitive programs 3.5+), get healthcare volunteer or CNA experience, score well on entrance exams (TEAS or HESI), and write a compelling personal statement. Apply to multiple programs across difficulty tiers to improve your odds.

Do I need healthcare experience to get into nursing school?

Not always — many programs accept students with no clinical background. However, programs with competitive admissions often give preference to applicants with CNA, medical assistant, EMT, or volunteer healthcare experience. Even a semester of hospital volunteering can strengthen your application.

What GPA do I need to get into nursing school?

Most programs require a minimum 2.5–3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses (anatomy, physiology, microbiology, statistics). Competitive programs target 3.3–3.7+. Your science GPA matters most — many programs weigh biology and chemistry grades heavily.