Nursing Programs in Evansville, IN

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Evansville

Best Nursing Schools in Evansville. Rankings help students compare programs efficiently by highlighting key performance metrics. Registerednursing.org creates these rankings using NCLEX pass rates as the sole criteria, ensuring objective evaluations. For details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Top Performing Schools

Analysis of average pass rates across all years identifies schools with the highest performance.

• St. Elizabeth School of Nursing: 97.8% average pass rate with 138 total students.
• Taylor University: 97.78% average pass rate with 92 total students.
• University of Evansville: 97.78% average pass rate with 92 total students.

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

Comparison reveals differences in pass rates between Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Associate Degree in Nursing programs.

• BSN programs: 94.57% average pass rate with 4,040 total students.
• ADN programs: 87.97% average pass rate with 2,062 total students.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends (Statewide)

Statewide trends show annual changes in average pass rates and total student numbers.

• 2024: 91.02% average pass rate with 32,689 total students.
• 2023: 90.33% average pass rate with 30,989 total students.
• 2022: 85.61% average pass rate with 29,247 total students.

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size categories indicate how student numbers relate to average pass rates.

• Large programs (>100 students/year): 94.43% average pass rate with 3,237 total students.
• Medium programs (50–100 students/year): 89.96% average pass rate with 2,381 total students.
• Small programs (<50 students/year): 90.06% average pass rate with 484 total students.

Geographic Trends

Pass rates vary by location, with data from the top five largest cities showing regional performance.

• Lafayette: 94.62% average pass rate with 319 total students.
• South Bend: 94.47% average pass rate with 311 total students.
• Indianapolis: 92% average pass rate with 1,222 total students.
• Kokomo: 92.82% average pass rate with 476 total students.
• Richmond: 90.55% average pass rate with 309 total students.

#1

University of Evansville

Evansville, IN - Private 4-year - evansville.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Evansville's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program delivers a rigorous curriculum integrating natural, behavioral, and social sciences with extensive clinical practice. Accredited by ACEN and the Indiana State Board of Nursing, this campus-based program requires an ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 1100 for admission. It maintains exceptional outcomes, with a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 and 100% employment or graduate school enrollment within six months of graduation. The program supports direct entry for qualified students, welcomes transfers, and provides strong NCLEX preparation and faculty mentorship, though no specific concentration is offered.

• Direct entry for qualified students.
• 100% employment or grad school rate.
• Accredited by ACEN and Indiana Board.
• Hands-on clinical experience.
• Transfer student friendly.
• ACT/SAT score requirements.
• Comprehensive science curriculum.
• NCLEX preparation included.
• Faculty mentorship available.
• Study abroad opportunities.

#2

University of Southern Indiana

Evansville, IN - Public 4-Year - usi.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Southern Indiana offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in a hybrid format that blends online coursework with essential in-person clinical experiences. This flexible approach allows students to develop practical skills across diverse healthcare settings while maintaining academic rigor. Direct admission requires a 3.0 GPA and completion of prerequisite courses including anatomy, chemistry, and psychology. The program emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills to prepare graduates for modern healthcare challenges. For entrance, applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores. The program demonstrates strong outcomes with NCLEX pass rates consistently above 95% in recent years, including a 96.7% pass rate in 2023 and 2024.

• Hybrid program format.
• Direct admission available.
• 3.0 GPA requirement.
• Clinical experience included.
• Focus on critical thinking.

#3

Vincennes University

Vincennes, IN - Public 4-Year - vinu.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing RN-BSN Completion

Online Learning - Visit Website

Vincennes University's RN to BSN Completion Program provides a fully online pathway for registered nurses to advance their education while maintaining their careers. This flexible program requires an RN license for admission and does not mandate ACT or SAT entrance exams. Focusing on leadership development and practical skills, it prepares graduates for enhanced roles in healthcare. Recent NCLEX pass rates for the university's ADN program show improvement, with 2024 rates reaching 92.3% among some cohorts, indicating strong foundational preparation for RN licensure.

• 100% online format
• Flexible for working nurses
• Focus on leadership skills
• Higher earning potential
• RN license required for admission

*Dataset: IPEDS 2024, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Evansville, IN

To start out as an RN, students in Evansville have the option of entry-level programs including an Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). These programs are designed for those who don't already hold a nursing license.

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses are already experienced in providing patients with basic care and assisting them with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing. For LPNs who want to expand on these skills and become licensed as RNs, some schools offer LPN to RN bridge programs that provide an accelerated pathway to becoming a registered nurse. Ivy Tech Community College offers an LPN-to-ASN bridge program designed to facilitate the transition of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) into becoming Registered Nurses (RNs). This program recognizes the practical skills of LPNs and provides an accelerated pathway to RN licensure.

ADN Programs

The ADN program is the basic, entry-level route to becoming an RN. These programs take about 2 years to complete and are regularly offered at community and technical colleges in the city. The University of Southern Indiana offers a comprehensive Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program. This program equips students with essential nursing knowledge and skills over a two-year curriculum. Graduates are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN exam and begin their nursing careers.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

The 4-year baccalaureate nursing program has become more and more ubiquitous in recent years. With many employers requiring this type of nursing degree, some students choose to earn it from the get-go. The University of Evansville provides an Accelerated BSN program catering to individuals with non-nursing bachelor's degrees. This program offers an efficient route to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and emphasizes holistic nursing training, clinical proficiency, and leadership development.

Find out more about Indiana Accelerated BSN Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Evansville, IN

Those RNs who are licensed and have previously earned an ADN or nursing diploma can opt to further their careers with an RN to BSN or RN to MSN program. These bridge programs offer the benefits of earning a higher degree in a shortened time span, taking into account the nursing education the RN has already completed.

RN to BSN Programs

The RN to BSN pathway allows licensed RNs to earn a baccalaureate nursing degree. Many of these programs have the option to be completed online in order to accommodate working RNs. Indiana University School of Nursing offers an online RN-to-BSN program tailored to the needs of working Registered Nurses (RNs). This program recognizes the experience of RNs and enhances their skills while earning a BSN degree.

Learn more about Indiana RN to BSN programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Nurses wanting a more advanced option may decide to pursue an RN to MSN program. These programs allow licensed RNs to earn a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN). These programs typically allow students to specialize in a niche area, such as pediatrics or women's health. The University of Southern Indiana features an RN-to-MSN bridge program aimed at RNs aspiring to advanced practice roles. This program streamlines the transition from RN to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), preparing nurses for specialized positions such as nurse practitioner or nurse educator.

Learn more about Indiana RN to MSN programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Evansville, IN

For nurses looking to enter advanced practice as nurse practitioners, Evansville schools have a number of options. From MSN degrees to post-graduate certificates to doctoral nursing programs, RNs have a variety of available pathways depending on their goals.

MSN Programs

The traditional graduate pathway can be found at most universities in the area. In around two years of study, students are well-equipped to work in a number of nurse practitioner (NP) specializations. Oakland City University offers an MSN program with specialized tracks, including Nursing Administration. This program equips nurses with advanced clinical and leadership skills, preparing them for roles in healthcare management and administration.

Learn more about Indiana Nurse Practitioner Programs.

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Post-graduate certificates are designed for RNs who have completed a master's program and don't want to complete an additional master's or DNP program to change specialties. These certificates take just 1-2 years to finish. The University of Evansville provides post-master's nursing certificates for experienced nurses seeking to specialize in nursing education. These certificates enhance teaching skills and offer avenues to contribute to nursing education.

Learn more about Indiana Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP and Ph.D. Programs

The terminal degree options for nurses are the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (Ph.D.) degrees. While the DNP degree is mainly focused on clinical practice, the Ph.D. degree is geared toward academia and research. The University of Southern Indiana offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for nurses aspiring to the highest level of clinical practice and leadership. DNP programs emphasize advanced practice skills and innovative approaches to healthcare delivery.

Learn more about Indiana DNP Programs.