Nursing School Acceptance Rates (2026)

Find nursing programs that match your profile. Compare acceptance rates, admission difficulty, and GPA requirements across accredited schools.

Schools With Rate Data

Total Accredited Schools

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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.

School Acceptance Rates

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

School	Acceptance Rate	Difficulty	NCLEX Pass Rate
Chamberlain University	25%	Competitive	N/A	View
Case Western Reserve University	33%	Moderate	N/A	View
Regis College	70%	Moderate	N/A	View
ECPI University	75%	Moderate	N/A	View
Grand Canyon University	78%	Moderate	N/A	View
University of Phoenix	98%	Open Enrollment	N/A	View
Brookline College	100%	Open Enrollment	N/A	View
Rasmussen University	100%	Open Enrollment	N/A	View

Additional Schools by Admission Difficulty

Arizona College of NursingModerate Denver College of NursingOpen Enrollment DePaul UniversityCompetitive Florida State UniversityCompetitive Indiana State UniversityCompetitive Liberty UniversityModerate Michigan State UniversityCompetitive Texas A&M UniversityCompetitive University of Alabama at BirminghamCompetitive University of CincinnatiCompetitive University of Michigan — FlintModerate University of Tennessee at KnoxvilleModerate University of Texas at ArlingtonCompetitive Western Governors UniversityModerate

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.

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