Nursing Programs in Charleston, SC
Rated as one of the nation's best places to live and retire by U.S. News & World Report, Charleston, South Carolina offers a delightful blend of historic sites and escape-worthy beaches. With its stroll-through, quaint city neighborhoods, registered nurses can earn a comfortable living of approximately $69,000 per year, which goes far in this small yet bustling Southern city. With a sizable and growing population of active seniors, the demand for RNs is only likely to increase in the years to come.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Charleston
Best Nursing Schools in Charleston: Rankings help prospective nursing students identify programs that effectively prepare graduates for licensure success. Registerednursing.org creates these rankings using NCLEX pass rates as the sole criteria, ensuring objective comparisons. For methodology details, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.
Top Performing Schools
These schools demonstrate the highest average NCLEX pass rates across multiple years with substantial student populations.
- University of South Carolina: 98.61% average pass rate (794 students)
- Lander University: 98.16% average pass rate (272 students)
- Medical University of South Carolina: 96.98% average pass rate (464 students)
BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs show slightly higher pass rates than Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs in this dataset.
- BSN programs: 96.67% average pass rate (1,290 students)
- ADN programs: 94.44% average pass rate (1,239 students)
Geographic Trends
Charleston area nursing programs maintain strong performance, with several cities showing pass rates above 96%.
- Spartanburg: 98.93% average pass rate (187 students)
- Clemson: 97.39% average pass rate (230 students)
- Columbia: 97.01% average pass rate (335 students)
- Charleston: 96.59% average pass rate (352 students)
- Greenville: 91.10% average pass rate (191 students)
Pass Rate by Program Size
Larger nursing programs tend to have higher average pass rates, suggesting potential advantages of scale in nursing education.
- Large programs (>100 students/year): 96.85% average pass rate (1,363 students)
- Medium programs (50-100 students/year): 94.73% average pass rate (854 students)
- Small programs (<50 students/year): 92.31% average pass rate (312 students)
Trident Technical College
Charleston, SC - Public 2-Year - tridenttech.edu
Associate - Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN)
Campus Based - Visit Website
Trident Technical College's Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) program in Charleston prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam and RN licensure through a 65-credit curriculum spanning at least two years. This campus-based program offers both generic and LPN-to-ADN pathways, blending general education with specialized courses in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. Admission requires a minimum 2.0 GPA, with science prerequisites completed within five years, but no ACT or SAT entrance exam. The program emphasizes hands-on clinical experience and patient-centered care, accredited by ACEN. NCLEX pass rates have shown strong performance, reaching 99.42% in 2024, indicating effective preparation for nursing practice.
- 65 Credit Hours
- Minimum two years completion
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Generic and LPN-to-ADN options
- Accredited by ACEN
- Hands-on clinical experience
- Anatomy and Physiology courses
- Microbiology included
- Pharmacology for Nurses
- Patient-centered care focus
Charleston Southern University
Charleston, SC - Private 4-year - charlestonsouthern.edu
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Charleston Southern University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers both traditional four-year and accelerated 18-month pathways, preparing students for the NCLEX-RN exam. This hybrid program integrates Christian values with comprehensive clinical training, featuring human patient simulators and rotations in regional hospitals. For bachelor's level admission, entrance exams like ACT or SAT are typically required. The program demonstrates strong NCLEX performance, with pass rates improving from 84.44% in 2022 to 97.10% in 2024 among 69 graduates, indicating effective preparation for nursing licensure.
- ACEN Accredited Nursing Program
- Traditional and Accelerated BSN Options
- Christian Values Integration
- Competitive NCLEX Pass Rates
- Clinical Experience in Hospitals
- Human Patient Simulator Labs
- Multiple Career Path Options
- Comprehensive Clinical Training
Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Charleston Southern University provides an 18-month hybrid pathway for students with prior college credits, combining online coursework with on-campus labs and clinical rotations. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA in prerequisites, completion of specific math and science courses within 5-10 years, and two recommendation letters. As a bachelor's level program, entrance exams such as ACT or SAT are typically required. The program's NCLEX pass rates have shown consistent improvement, reaching 97.10% in 2024, reflecting strong preparation for nursing practice through its focused curriculum and clinical experiences.
- 18-month program duration
- Hybrid online and on-campus
- Starts Summer II only
- 3.0 GPA prerequisite requirement
- 58-60 credit hours prerequisite
- Two letters of recommendation
- Lab sessions on weekday evenings
- Clinical rotations on weekends
- Comprehensive nursing curriculum
- Focus on diverse healthcare needs
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
Charleston, SC - Public 4-Year - citadel.edu
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Citadel Military College of South Carolina offers a campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program emphasizing leadership development and evidence-based practice. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA and B grades in math/science courses, with no ACT/SAT requirement mentioned. The program accepts 24 cadets annually and progresses from nursing fundamentals to specialized care for diverse populations. NCLEX pass rates have shown improvement, reaching 86.67% in 2023. Unique features include research opportunities, veteran admission consideration, and clinical partnerships that provide hands-on experience throughout the curriculum.
- 3.0 GPA requirement.
- B grades in math/science.
- 24 cadets accepted yearly.
- Introduction to Nursing course.
- Focus on leadership skills.
- Sophomore year fundamentals.
- Junior year acute care.
- Senior year special populations.
- Research opportunities available.
- Veteran admission consideration.
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Citadel Military College of South Carolina's Swain Department of Nursing provides a hybrid BSN program designed for working adult students, featuring evening coursework and clinical experiences. This five-semester program requires a 3.0 GPA and B grades in math/science courses for admission, with no ACT/SAT requirement specified. Application deadlines are October 1 for early decision and March 1 for final consideration. The program focuses on delivering quality education for quality care, accommodating students' work and family commitments while preparing them for nursing leadership roles.
- Evening coursework for flexibility.
- Hybrid program type.
- Five-semester completion.
- 3.0 GPA requirement.
- 'B' or better in math/science.
- October 1 early decision deadline.
- March 1 final decision deadline.
- Designed for adult students.
- Quality education focus.
- Evening clinical experiences.
Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Charleston, SC
Become a nurse by taking the pathway that is best for you and your individual situation. Whether you want to start out as an LPN or begin your career with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, Charleston, South Carolina has colleges and universities that offer a range of education programs to meet your needs.
LPN to RN Programs
Looking out for the health and well being of patients is what Licensed Practical Nurses do every day when they care for patients. LPNs can take on higher-level job duties and bring home a more lucrative salary, however, by becoming Registered Nurses. Trident Technical College in Charleston, South Carolina offers an LPN to RN bridge track that enables working LPNs to leverage their education and field experience to earn their associate’s degree. College credits are most likely to transfer if they have been earned within the past five years.
ADN Programs
Unlike many professional fields that require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, you can enter the nursing profession as a licensed Registered Nurse with only an associate’s degree. Medical Careers Institute’s (MCI) offers a quick-moving Associate of Science in Nursing at its Charleston, SC campus. The nursing curriculum covers Anatomy and Physiology, Acute Care, Medical/Surgical Nursing and more so students are ready to care for patients in a clinical setting.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
Members of the armed forces and military veterans bring a unique perspective to the field of nursing and healthcare. The Citadel, a top-ranked and highly competitive military college of South Carolina, offers its students a superior nursing curriculum for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The intensive, critical-thinking, science-based program recognizes nursing as both a call to serve and a duty; students are expected to uphold the Citadel’s values of honor, duty, and respect in all aspects of their educational experience.
Find out more about South Carolina Accelerated BSN Programs.
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Charleston, SC
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Charleston, SC
By becoming patients’ primary care providers, Nurse Practitioners in Charleston, SC can see them grow and develop year after year through physicals and wellness exams. By earning your Master of Science in Nursing, Post-Master's Certificate or Doctorate degree, often part-time and in online formats, you can have a greater impact on the lives of your patients across their entire lifecycle.
MSN Programs
Advanced practice nurses in Charleston, SC continue to take on higher-level patient care roles, including prescribing authority with minimal physician oversight. To achieve status as an advanced practice professional in the field, nurses must earn their MSN. Charleston Southern University, a Christian school, offers a rigorous, one class at a time format so students can hone-in on one core competency at a time. Hands-on clinicals are required as part of the program.
Find out more about South Carolina Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Inspire the younger generation to enter the profession you’ve served for years by becoming a Nursing Educator via a Post-Master's Certificate Program. The current nursing shortage is being addressed by nursing colleges in Charleston. But to fully meet the demand, they need dedicated nursing instructors to teach and encourage students. Charleston Southern University’s online nursing education cert readies veteran nurses to leverage their clinical expertise for the classroom.
Find out more about South Carolina Post-Master's Certificate Programs.
DNP Programs
Bring your patient-care focused nursing experience to a leadership or administration role by pursuing your Doctor of Nursing Practice. The Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston offers a modern DNP program that incorporates leadership coursework as well as clinical intensives. Students also gain an understanding of healthcare policy development and design that they can apply in a real-world setting. The mostly-online degree offering, which does require some on-campus participation, can typically be completed in two years.
Find out more about South Carolina DNP Programs.
List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Charleston
Charleston, SC
Medical University of South Carolina
- MSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Concentration: Primary Care - Online Learning - Website
- Online DNP program
- Primary care specialist track
- Broad patient age range
- Multiple clinical practice settings
- Expert faculty leadership
- MSN to DNP - Family Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Online Learning - Website
- Online Post-BSN DNP program
- Lifespan healthcare education
- Interprofessional learning environment
- Clinical hours in primary care
- Specialized procedural training
- Flexible employment opportunities
- Optional nurse educator courses
- MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Online Learning - Website
- Comprehensive pediatric primary care training
- Pre-natal to 21 years focus
- National certification eligibility
- Online DNP program
- Expert faculty mentorship
- MSN to DNP - Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online Learning - Website
- #22 National DNP Ranking
- 100% Online Asynchronous
- Four Clinical Specializations
- No GRE Required
- 4-Year Flexible Study Plan
- Mental Health Curriculum
- Nationally Recognized Faculty
- Welcome New Graduates
- MSN to DNP - Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner - Online Learning - Website
- 45% projected job growth
- Specialized psychiatric training
- Interprofessional learning environment
- Optional psychotherapy certificate
- Diverse clinical placement opportunities
- MSN to DNP - Post-MSN to DNP
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program format
- Terminal nursing practice doctorate
- For current advanced practice nurses
- No GRE scores required
- Preferred 3.0 GPA
- National certification required
- Active APRN license needed
- Practice improvement project
- MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, DNP
Online Learning - Website
- Online Post-BSN DNP Track
- 45% Job Growth Projection
- Multiple Clinical Specialization Options
- Interprofessional Learning Environment
- National Certification Eligibility
- Diverse Clinical Placement Opportunities
- Optional Psychotherapy Certificate
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC
Charleston Southern University
- Bachelor's - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 18-month program duration
- Hybrid online and on-campus
- Starts Summer II only
- 3.0 GPA prerequisite requirement
- 58-60 credit hours prerequisite
- Two letters of recommendation
- Lab sessions on weekday evenings
- Clinical rotations on weekends
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- ACEN Accredited Nursing Program
- Traditional and Accelerated BSN Options
- Christian Values Integration
- Competitive NCLEX Pass Rates
- Clinical Experience in Hospitals
- Human Patient Simulator Labs
- Multiple Career Path Options
- Comprehensive Clinical Training
Citadel Military College of South Carolina
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- 3.0 GPA requirement.
- B grades in math/science.
- 24 cadets accepted yearly.
- Introduction to Nursing course.
- Focus on leadership skills.
- Sophomore year fundamentals.
- Junior year acute care.
- Senior year special populations.
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Evening coursework for flexibility.
- Hybrid program type.
- Five-semester completion.
- 3.0 GPA requirement.
- 'B' or better in math/science.
- October 1 early decision deadline.
- March 1 final decision deadline.
- Designed for adult students.
Trident Technical College
- Associate - Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN)
Campus Based - Website
- 65 Credit Hours
- Minimum two years completion
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Generic and LPN-to-ADN options
- Accredited by ACEN
- Hands-on clinical experience
- Anatomy and Physiology courses
- Microbiology included
