Nursing Programs in Charleston, WV

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Charleston

Rankings help nursing students identify quality programs that align with their career goals. Registerednursing.org is creating the "Best Nursing Schools in Charleston" rankings, focusing exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the primary metric. This data-driven approach provides objective insights into program effectiveness, helping prospective students make informed decisions. For more details on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Analysis of NCLEX pass rates over recent years shows performance patterns that can inform school selection.

• 2023: 100% pass rate with 17 students
• 2024: 94.12% pass rate with 17 students

Top Performing Schools

Schools with consistently high pass rates demonstrate strong educational outcomes for nursing graduates.

• West Virginia State University: 97.06% average pass rate across 34 students over 2 years

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size can influence educational approaches and student outcomes in nursing education.

• Small programs (<50 students/year): 94.12% average pass rate with 17 students

Consistently High Performing Schools

Schools maintaining excellence over multiple years provide reliable quality for nursing students.

• West Virginia State University: 97.06% average pass rate with 34 students across 2 years, exceeding 90% threshold

#1

West Virginia State University

Institute, WV - Public 4-Year - wvstateu.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

West Virginia State University's campus-based Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares nurse generalists for diverse healthcare settings through a curriculum that blends liberal arts with professional nursing education. This HBCU and military-friendly institution emphasizes health promotion, disease prevention, and ethical standards while utilizing state-of-the-art technologies. The program opens doors to specialization areas like pediatrics, obstetrics, oncology, and psychiatry. For entrance, ACT or SAT exams are typically required. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 100% in 2023 and 94.12% in 2024 among 17 students each year, indicating effective preparation for nursing licensure.

• Campus-based program.
• Prepares nurse generalists.
• Incorporates liberal arts.
• Uses state-of-the-art technologies.
• Focuses on health promotion.
• Diverse healthcare settings.
• Opportunities for specialization.
• Ethical and legal standards.
• Lifelong learning emphasis.

#2

BridgeValley Community & Technical College

South Charleston, WV - Public 2-Year - bridgevalley.edu

Associate - Nursing AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

BridgeValley Community & Technical College offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program at its South Charleston campus. This two-year program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam with a strong track record of success, including a 93.75% pass rate in 2024. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, English proficiency, and a TEAS VII score of 60% - no ACT or SAT is needed for this bachelor's-level program. The curriculum combines general education with professional nursing courses, featuring traditional, accelerated, and advanced placement options. ACEN-accredited and approved by the West Virginia Board of Examiners, the program emphasizes clinical partnerships that provide hands-on experience in diverse healthcare settings while supporting job placement.

• Two-year program
• NCLEX-RN preparation
• Multiple program options
• 3.0 GPA requirement
• TEAS VII score 60%
• Clinical partnerships
• ACEN accredited
• West Virginia Board approved
• Hands-on experience
• Diverse healthcare settings

#3

University of Charleston

Charleston, WV - Private 4-year - ucwv.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing (BSN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Charleston's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program provides comprehensive preparation for RN licensure through a rigorous 4-year curriculum. This on-campus program requires applicants to submit TEAS exam scores of at least 60% along with a 2.0 GPA, but does not mandate ACT or SAT scores. With ACEN accreditation and over 50 years of nursing education experience, the program emphasizes hands-on clinical training at top healthcare facilities including a Level I trauma center. NCLEX-RN pass rates have shown strong performance, reaching 100% in 2023 for BSN graduates. The program maintains a favorable 1:8-10 faculty-to-student ratio and focuses on developing leadership, research, and community health competencies.

• 4-year program duration
• On-campus format
• Located in Charleston, WV
• 1:8-10 faculty to student ratio
• High NCLEX-RN pass rate
• ACEN accredited
• Over 50 years of nursing education
• Clinical experiences in top healthcare facilities
• Competitive admission process
• TEAS exam required for admission

*Postsecondary data from: IPEDS 2024, NCES. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Charleston, WV

The place to begin your career as a registered nurse is an entry-level program. There are several entry-level program types to choose from, including LPN to RN programs, which are designed for licensed practical nurses who wish to become registered nurses, as well as Associate’s Degree in Nursing programs (ADN) and of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. All three of these program types prepare students for the NCLEX licensing exam and for their first jobs are RNs, though there are some differences in curriculum and outcomes.

LPN to RN Programs

For experienced LPNs who would like to advance their careers in nursing and earn a higher salary, an LPN to RN program may be a good fit. LPN to RN “bridge” programs take into account previous LPN coursework and professional experience and provide a streamlined pathway to either an ADN or BSN degree for students. Bridge Valley Community & Technical College offers an advanced placement LPN to ADN program that prepares students for the licensing exam and for entry-level RN positions in a variety of settings.

ADN Programs

ADN programs provide students with a solid foundation of nursing principles and clinical practice skills, generally over the course of two years of study. Bridge Valley Community & Technical College offers an ADN program with a combination of general education courses with nursing major courses, such as health assessment and diagnostics, nursing pharmacology, drug and dosage calculations, and professional nursing and health system concepts.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Increasingly, healthcare employers are looking for entry level nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. As such, BSN programs are rising in popularity as entry-level nursing education programs. BSN programs, such as the one offered at the University of Charleston, are generally four-year full-time programs, and provide additional curriculum not typically included in ADN programs, such as mental health care, nursing research, pediatrics, medical/surgical and preventative care.

Find out more about West Virginia Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Charleston, WV

RN to BSN Programs in Charleston, WV

Many nurses with their ADN degree are interested in going back to school to earn their BSN in order to secure a higher paying job or move into a more advanced role in their organization. These nurses would benefit from specially designed RN to BSN “bridge programs,” which provide an accelerated pathway to a BSN degree for experienced RNs.

RN to BSN Programs

While there are no traditional on-campus RN to BSN programs in the Charleston area, there are a number of online options, which provide students with the flexibility to take classes and complete assignments whenever it is convenient for them. This flexibility is especially valuable to working nurses who need to fit in schoolwork around their busy work schedules, which may include nights and/or weekend hours. The University of Charleston offers an online RN to BSN program that includes 8 week-long courses, with a combination of core, foundational and nursing courses that may be completed in one year (3 semesters) of study.

Find out more about West Virginia RN to BSN Programs.

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Charleston, WV