Nursing Programs in Charlotte, NC

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Charlotte

Rankings help prospective nursing students evaluate program quality and make informed decisions. Registerednursing.org has analyzed NCLEX pass rates to create the Best Nursing Schools in Charlotte rankings. Our rankings focus solely on NCLEX performance as the key metric for excellence. For our methodology, see https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates in the Charlotte area have shown a generally upward trend, peaking in 2023 before a slight dip in 2024. This indicates strong and consistent program performance.

• 2021: 92.33%
• 2022: 96%
• 2023: 98.33%
• 2024: 96.5%

Biggest Improvements

Several schools demonstrated notable improvements in pass rates from the earliest to the latest year. Gaston College stands out with a substantial increase.

• Gaston College: improved from 93% to 100% (a 7-point increase)
• Wingate University: improved from 93% to 94% (a 1-point increase)
• Cabarrus College of Health Sciences: improved from 91% to 92% (a 1-point increase)

Consistently High Performing Schools

These Charlotte-area nursing schools have consistently maintained exceptional pass rates across multiple years, with all averaging above 94%.

• Wingate University: 96.75% average pass rate
• Gaston College: 95.5% average pass rate
• Cabarrus College of Health Sciences: 94.25% average pass rate

#1

Belmont Abbey College

Belmont, NC - Private 4-year - belmontabbeycollege.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor's of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Belmont Abbey College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) blends Benedictine values with Catholic health care ethics, offering a holistic, liberal arts-based curriculum. Students study anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, and nursing theory, then apply skills through clinical rotations and a capstone practicum. A dedicated on-campus CaroMont Health Hospital provides hands-on patient care experiences. The program requires prerequisite coursework, a minimum 2.8 GPA, and CNA I certification. Graduates pursue roles in acute, long-term, ambulatory, and community health settings. Accredited by CCNE, the program achieved a 100% NCLEX pass rate for first-time test takers in 2024. Direct admission is available for Fall 2025.

• CCNE accredited
• 2.8 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• Capstone required
• CNA I certification required
• Catholic health care ethics focus
• Direct admission in Fall 2025
• CaroMont Health Hospital on campus
• 195,000 job openings yearly
• Benedictine values foundation

#2

Gaston College

Dallas, NC - Public 2-Year - gaston.edu

Associate - Associate Degree Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Gaston College offers a campus-based Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the curriculum emphasizes safety, quality, and patient-centered care while building skills in nursing theory and clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and pursue careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. The program has demonstrated strong NCLEX pass rates, achieving 93% in 2021, 89% in 2022, and 100% in both 2023 and 2024. Dedicated faculty and a supportive learning environment provide a solid foundation for Registered Nursing practice.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited
• Registered Nursing (RN) program
• Program code: A45110RN

#3

Wingate University

Wingate, NC - Private 4-year - wingate.edu

Bachelor's - BS in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Wingate University's campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) combines a liberal arts foundation with clinical experiences in hospitals, mental health centers, and community settings. The program, ranked No. 4 among NC BSN programs, is ACEN accredited and uses a fall-start cohort model with small classes and one-on-one instruction. Students can pursue the optional Nursing Honors Program. Graduates are prepared for NCLEX-RN licensure and enter fields such as cardiac care, pediatrics, and public health. Recent BSN NCLEX pass rates at Wingate reached 100% in 2022 and 2023, with 93% in 2021 and 94% in 2024. No explicit SAT/ACT entrance exam requirement is stated; applicants should verify current admission policies.

• ACEN accredited
• Starts fall
• Cohort-based structure
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Small class sizes
• One-on-one instruction
• Diverse clinical experiences
• Nursing Honors Program available

#4

Carolinas College of Health Sciences

Charlotte, NC - Public 4-Year - carolinascollege.edu

Associate - Associate Degree Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Carolinas College of Health Sciences offers an on-campus Associate Degree in Nursing in Charlotte, NC. This five-semester, 71-credit program progresses through three curriculum levels, blending nursing theory with sciences and humanities. Clinical experiences begin by the third week of the first nursing course, with rotations at Carolinas Medical Center across medical-surgical, cardiac, cancer, orthopedic, obstetrics, pediatrics, and intensive care units, plus behavioral health at CMC-Randolph. Graduates are prepared for RN licensure and entry-level practice. NCLEX pass rates are strong: 96% (2021), 84% (2022), 100% (2023), and 99% (2024). The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing.

• National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission accredited
• 5-Semester program
• 71 total credit hours
• Prepares for RN licensure examination
• Clinical rotations at Carolinas Medical Center
• Behavioral health clinical at CMC-Randolph facility
• Three curriculum levels, lower to higher
• 38 nursing credits, 33 general education
• Outcomes based on NLN core competencies
• Clinical experiences begin by third week

#5

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Campus Based - Visit Website

*Source documentation: IPEDS 2025 Technical Review Panel report, NCES.

Entry Level ADN & BSN Programs in Charlotte, NC

If you don't already have an RN license, entry-level programs are a great way to enter the field. Options in the Charlotte area include the Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the traditional Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN). These programs typically require a high school diploma or GED and a minimum GPA for enrollment.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses are well-versed in providing high-quality patient care and improving patient comfort and well-being. Many LPNs decide to expand their skills by moving into careers as registered nurses, and LPN to RN bridge programs provide LPNs with a direct pathway to RN licensure. As one example, the LPN to RN program at Sampson Community College offers a hybrid online/on-campus LPN to RN program that allows students to complete some coursework online and return to campus for certain activities such as orientation and testing. Applicants to this program must have a valid LPN license and two years of work experience as a practical nurse.

ADN Programs

The quickest route to an RN license is through an ADN program. At just two years in length, students can begin working before those enrolled in 4-year degrees have even completed their education. For example, Gaston College offers a 71 program-hour ADN program, which includes courses like Family Health Concepts, Anatomy & Physiology, and more.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN Programs

With many employers preferring a 4-year nursing degree, the traditional BSN pathway is an excellent choice for aspiring RNs. Wingate University offers a BSN pathway that can be completed in 8 consecutive fall and spring semesters. Courses include Science-Based Nursing, Pharmacology for Nursing, Nursing Leadership, and more. Learn more about the selection of NC ABSN offerings.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Charlotte, NC

Bridge programs provide a unique opportunity for RNs who have already completed an ADN or diploma program to earn their BSN or Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. These programs give the RN credit for many of the courses they have already completed, thereby shortening the length of the program considerably.

RN to BSN Programs

This pathway leads to the most popular undergrad nursing degree: the BSN. Cabarrus College of Health Sciences, for example, offers an online RN to BSN program that can be completed in four semesters and one summer of full-time study (part-time options are also available). Of the total 122 hours of baccalaureate coursework, up to 61 credit hours are awarded from the ADN or diploma program previously completed.

Learn more about North Carolina RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Like the RN to BSN pathway, the RN to MSN bridge option allows licensed RNs to earn a master's degree in nursing in a fraction of the time. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers an online RN to MSN program for nurses with an associate's degree in nursing. Graduates end up earning both a BSN and MSN degree throughout the program.

Learn more about North Carolina RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Charlotte, NC

RNs interested in more advanced practice, including various nurse practitioner specialties, have a few options. The traditional MSN degree, the post-master's certificate, or the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathways are all possibilities, depending on a nurse's ultimate goals.

MSN Programs

Traditional MSN programs require an active RN license and a BSN degree. They typically require two years of study, with part- and full-time options widely available, and students can usually specialize in a number of nurse practitioner specialties. Queens University of Charlotte offers online MSN pathways with the following specialties: Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Administrator, and Nurse Educator.

Learn more about North Carolina Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

RNs who hold an MSN but who wish to change specialties can opt to take a post-master's certificate program instead of pursuing an additional degree. This tends to be a much more cost-effective option. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers numerous graduate certificate pathways, including Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator, Adult-Gerontology NP, and APRN Family Nurse Practitioner.

Find out more about North Carolina Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Doctoral programs are the most prestigious nursing degrees an RN can hold. They poise nurses for clinical practice at the highest levels. The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a dual DNP pathway with Western Carolina University, allowing students to access faculty at both universities. It requires an MSN in an advanced nursing specialty and can be completed in as little as five semesters.

Find out more about North Carolina DNP Programs.