Nursing Programs in Jackson, MS

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Jackson

Registerednursing.org is creating the rankings for the Best Nursing Schools in Jackson to help students choose programs that align with their career goals. Our rankings focus exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the sole criteria, providing objective data to evaluate program effectiveness. For more details on how we compile these rankings, visit our methodology page at https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Jackson area nursing programs have shown strong pass rates over recent years. The average pass rate was 93.28% in 2022, increased to 98.84% in 2023, and remained high at 95.8% in 2024.

• 2022 average pass rate: 93.28%
• 2023 average pass rate: 98.84%
• 2024 average pass rate: 95.8%

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

When comparing program types, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs show slightly higher pass rates than Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in the Jackson area.

• ADN programs average pass rate: 98.27%
• BSN programs average pass rate: 93.33%

Biggest Improvements

Hinds Community College demonstrated the most significant improvement in pass rates among Jackson nursing schools, while Mississippi College maintained consistent performance.

• Hinds Community College improved by 5.3 percentage points
• Mississippi College showed minimal change with -0.26 percentage points

Consistently High Performing Schools

Two Jackson nursing schools have maintained strong performance across multiple years with average pass rates above 95%.

• Hinds Community College: 96.79% average pass rate over 3 years
• Mississippi College: 95.16% average pass rate over 3 years

#1

Belhaven University

Jackson, MS - Private 4-year - belhaven.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Belhaven University's campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Jackson, MS, integrates rigorous academics with a Christian worldview, emphasizing servant leadership. This CCNE-accredited program features expert faculty, modern facilities, and extensive clinical experiences. With a 100% NCLEX pass rate in recent years, graduates are well-prepared for diverse healthcare roles. As a bachelor's program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams. Competitive tuition and generous scholarships make this education accessible, while its location near medical corridors enhances practical learning opportunities.

• 4-year program duration
• Campus-based learning
• CCNE accredited
• Christian worldview emphasis
• Expert, compassionate faculty
• Modern facilities and labs
• Competitive tuition rates
• Generous scholarships available
• Hands-on clinical experiences
• Servant leadership curriculum

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Belhaven University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with a Christ-centered approach, available in both traditional and RN-to-BSN pathways. Located in Jackson, MS, this CCNE-accredited program combines small class sizes with state-of-the-art facilities and hands-on clinical experiences. The program maintains a 100% NCLEX pass rate, demonstrating strong preparation for licensure. As a bachelor's program, ACT or SAT entrance exams are required. With competitive tuition and scholarship opportunities, it provides flexible options for students seeking to advance their nursing careers while integrating Christian values.

• Christ-centered nursing education
• Small class sizes
• State-of-the-art facilities
• Premier healthcare location
• Traditional and online options
• Affordable RN to BSN
• CCNE accredited
• Competitive tuition
• Generous scholarships
• Hands-on clinical experiences

Show 1 More Programs ˅

#2

Hinds Community College

Raymond, MS - Public 2-Year - hindscc.edu

Associate - Associate Degree Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Hinds Community College's Associate Degree Nursing program provides a comprehensive two-year education preparing students for RN licensure. With both Traditional and Transition pathways, it accommodates diverse backgrounds including LPNs and paramedics. The program emphasizes core nursing competencies through hands-on learning at its Jackson and Pearl campuses, featuring simulation centers for practical experience. Recent NCLEX pass rates demonstrate strong outcomes, reaching 99.13% in 2023 and maintaining 98.27% in 2024. As an ACEN-accredited program, it requires no specific entrance exam for admission, focusing instead on building professional behaviors and clinical decision-making skills essential for nursing practice.

• Two-year program.
• Prepares as generalist nurses.
• Focus on core nursing practices.
• Options: Traditional and Transition RN.
• Accredited by ACEN.
• Face-to-face delivery mode.
• Located in Jackson and Pearl.
• Simulation center available.
• For LPNs, paramedics, respiratory therapists.
• Emphasis on professional behaviors.

#3

Mississippi College

Clinton, MS - Private 4-year - mc.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Mississippi College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers both traditional and accelerated pathways, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and 30 prerequisite credits. As a CCNE-accredited program, it emphasizes comprehensive clinical training through hands-on experiences in various healthcare settings. For admission, ACT or SAT scores are typically required. The program has demonstrated strong NCLEX performance, with pass rates of 93.59% in 2022, 98.55% in 2023, and 93.33% in 2024 for BSN graduates, indicating effective preparation for nursing licensure.

• Traditional and Accelerated BSN options
• Comprehensive clinical training
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Multiple clinical reasoning courses
• CCNE accredited program
• 30 prerequisite credits needed
• Multiple career pathway options
• Hands-on healthcare experience

Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Mississippi College's Accelerated BSN program provides a fast-track nursing pathway for students with existing bachelor's degrees, completing in just 4 semesters. This intensive campus-based program requires a 3.0 GPA and either HESI A2 exam completion or an ACT score of 21+ for admission. The curriculum focuses on essential nursing skills through clinical rotations, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. With NCLEX pass rates reaching 98.55% in 2023, the program demonstrates strong outcomes in preparing students for nursing licensure and professional practice.

• Accelerated 4-semester program.
• Requires prior bachelor's degree.
• 3.0 GPA admission requirement.
• HESI A2 or ACT 21+ needed.
• Focuses on essential nursing skills.
• Includes clinical rotations.
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
• Campus-based learning.
• Prerequisite courses required.
• Intensive, fast-paced curriculum.

Show 1 More Programs ˅

*Source: IPEDS 2024 data files, National Center for Education Statistics.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Jackson, MS

Few fields are as accessible and in demand as healthcare. If you’ve ever given thought to joining the industry as a nurse, there are numerous entry points including LPN to RN, AND, and BSN. Higher education institutions in and around Jackson, Mississippi offer accelerated and traditional nursing programs designed for those without a nursing or healthcare background.

LPN to RN Programs

Checking patients’ vital signs, gathering their information and taking care of their basic health needs is all part of a day’s work for Licensed Practical Nurses. LPNs can perform a boundless range of care duties and earn better wages by obtaining their RN. East Central Community College, located about an hour east of Jackson, MS, has in its program offerings an LPN to RN bridge. It teaches everything from nursing basics to healthcare technology systems for family, geriatric and pediatric populations. Upon completion, graduates are ready to sit for the NCLEX.

ADN Programs

Few careers are as rewarding as nursing. Though most require you to earn a four-year degree, you can begin an impactful, well-compensated career in nursing in two short years. The Generic Option Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree at Hinds Community College in Jackson, MS accepts students with or without previously earned college credits. With a focus on holistic, patient-centered care, the ASN program teaches nursing fundamentals as well as informatics, healthcare systems, and nursing ethics.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Nurses who launch with bachelor’s degrees have a strong foundation from which to build their careers. With BSNs, these professionals can have their pick of jobs and earn higher wages than non-BSN-holding nurses. The University of Mississippi, one of the preeminent schools for nursing and medicine in the state, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The clinical-heavy instructional program includes partnerships with four major hospitals in the area. Such partnerships give student nurses an advantage in the job market upon graduation (provided they obtain their RN license).

Find out more about Mississippi Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Jackson, MS

Working staff nurses know firsthand the benefits of having a BSN or MSN attached to the end of their name. In the near future, industry experts believe that the BSN will be required for nursing jobs in most major hospitals and medical centers. RNs can get a head start on this future job requirement by completing a fast-paced RN to BSN bridge degree, or an even more in-depth RN to MSN degree, in Jackson, MS.

RN to BSN Programs

Working as a nurse enables you to care for patients and have a meaningful, lasting impact on their lives. Experienced nurses can take on more patient care responsibility by earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Belhaven University, a Christian school, leverages the strength of its traditional BSN in its accelerated RN to BSN bridge offering. The program, which is completely online, offers 8-week intensives that let most students earn their degree in about two years.

Find out more about Mississippi RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

For nurses who know they wanter enter into more specialized, high-level ranks, the RN to MSN bridge program is ideal. Most programs allow students to choose a nurse practitioner or other specialty track to further hone their skills. The University of Mississippi Medical Center offers an RN to MSN pathway that offers flexible plans of study, including four nurse practitioner tracks along with a nurse educator and nurse administrator track. Access to four major hospitals in the immediate area makes the program especially advantageous for ambitious students.

Find out more about Mississippi RN to MSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Jackson, MS

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) are playing a larger role in their patients’ lives and taking on more autonomy and responsibilities. In the southern state of Mississippi, Nurse Practitioners are considered primary care providers. They are who patients most commonly see, particularly in rural communities. Nurses who wish to obtain this level of patient care authority can now complete their advanced degrees on their schedules in Jackson-area universities.

MSN Programs

Nurses are at the frontline of healthcare communicating with and caring for patients at every turn. Managing teams of nurses requires clinical nursing expertise as well as leadership traits. Christian-based Mississippi College, located outside of Jackson, offers a 100% online MSN – Clinical Nurse Leader Track for nurses looking to lead. Nurses with the CNL distinction gain the authority to modify patient care plans (if needed). Students must also complete 400 hours in clinical (supervised) to complete the degree.

Find out more about Mississippi Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Nurses are being asked to provide higher levels of care, and many are answering the call. Earning a post-graduate certificate allows APRNs to become nurse practitioners and gain greater autonomy in providing patient care. The University of Mississippi, an affordable state-run school, enables APRNs to advance their career on a budget. It offers top-rated acute care geriatric/pediatric nurse practitioner programs as well as family, neonatal and psychiatric NP programs.

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

DNP Programs

More than treating patients, nurses today are taking on leadership, policy-impacting roles that affect patients as a whole and the larger healthcare system. Those advanced practice nurses who would like to have a more influential impact can do so by earning their Doctor of Nursing Practice. The program at Alcorn State University, located about 45 minutes west of Jackson, Mississippi, offers select students the opportunity to elevate their careers and the nursing profession as a whole. Students must successfully complete a capstone project to earn their doctorate degree.

Find out more about Mississippi DNP Programs.