A two-year ADN and a four-year BSN, ADN vs BSN programs, end at the same checkpoint: the NCLEX-RN, which every Indiana graduate must pass before the Indiana State Board of Nursing issues an RN license. A program's prestige means little if its graduates stall at that exam.
So the schools here are ordered by licensure results, not reputation or marketing claims. The University of Evansville leads with a 99.2% first-time pass rate, just under a 100% NCLEX pass rate. Indiana Wesleyan University reached 98.2% with roughly three times as many test-takers.
Volume matters. A near-perfect rate from a small cohort and a strong rate from a large one say different things about how consistently a program prepares nurses for licensure.
Indiana Nursing Schools With the Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates for 2027
Indiana's nursing schools are ordered here mainly by NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates reported to the Indiana State Board of Nursing across the most recent published years, with accreditation and completion and retention figures acting as tie-breakers. Results are weighted by how many candidates a program actually sent to the exam, so a small cohort with a perfect rate does not automatically outrank a large one that finishes close behind. Where a school or the state has published a newer figure, we cite it and name the year; where no program-level rate has been released, we say so rather than estimate. Together the entries below answer the two questions readers ask most: the school on the top card is the strongest overall pick for 2026, and the ten cards that follow are the state's top nursing schools on licensure outcomes.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and retention rates
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation and program breadth
- Tuition and average net price
- Clinical and simulation resources
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
University of Evansville
#1Evansville, IN · $18,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: High school seniors seeking direct-entry BSN seats
Evansville is a private university in southwestern Indiana whose four-year BSN is direct-entry for qualified high school students, letting admitted freshmen lock in a nursing seat before their first class. Transfer applicants with a 2.75 GPA or higher have their own route in, and students can spend a term at the university's Harlaxton campus in England without delaying graduation. Clinical work runs alongside simulation and faculty mentoring, and the university reports that graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months. The school's overall graduation rate is 65%.
- Direct entry for qualified high school students after depositing
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing
- Transfer students admitted with a 2.75 GPA or higher
- Entrance exam required (ACT, SAT, or ATI TEAS accepted)
- Study abroad at Harlaxton in England
- University reports 100% employed or in graduate school within six months
Indiana Wesleyan University
#2Marion, IN · ~$23,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Second-degree students wanting an accelerated BSN
Indiana Wesleyan runs three prelicensure routes on its Marion campus: a traditional four-year BSN, a three-year fast track, and a transition program for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. Coursework in anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology is paired with a simulation lab, virtual reality training, and clinical site visits. The university reports a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the accelerated track, and the school's overall graduation rate is 67%.
- CCNE accredited prelicensure BSN on the Marion campus
- Locked tuition rate for the length of the program
- 2.8 GPA minimum for admission
- Simulation lab plus clinical site visits
- Faith-integrated curriculum
- Plan for Academic Student Success support program
- NCLEX preparation courses built into the curriculum
- Complete the BSN in as little as three years
- University reports a 100% NCLEX first-time pass rate
- Virtual reality and simulation lab training
- Transcultural experiences abroad
- Clinical work in hospital, outpatient, community, and eldercare settings
- Designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree
- 64 total credit hours at $830 per credit
- 2.8 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- Entrance exam required (TEAS)
- Military benefits and employer tuition reimbursement accepted
- Clinical experience across a range of care settings
Bethel University
#3Mishawaka, IN · $19,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-driven students wanting mission-trip clinicals
Bethel offers both a four-year BSN and a two-year ADN from the same Mishawaka campus, and students in either program train in updated high-fidelity simulation labs and a cadaver lab used for anatomy. The BSN program reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate across 2023 and 2024, while the state's 2022 first-time figures for the university were 91.7% at the BSN level and 71.43% at the ADN level. Three years of clinical rotations start in the sophomore year, and medical mission trips add international practice experience. The school's overall graduation rate is 53%.
- ACEN accredited four-year campus program
- School reports a 100% NCLEX pass rate for 2023 and 2024
- Clinicals run three full years, starting sophomore year
- High-fidelity simulation labs and a cadaver lab
- Medical mission trip opportunities
- Faith-based holistic care emphasis
- ACEN accredited two-year associate degree
- Updated high-fidelity simulation labs
- Cadaver lab used in anatomy and physiology classes
- School reports top NCLEX pass rates in Indiana and the U.S.
- Medical mission trips and 13+ nursing career paths
- Mayo Clinic employer network
Purdue University
#4West Lafayette, IN · ~$15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Purdue's direct-admit BSN takes students straight from high school into a four-year nursing sequence, with training in the Nursing Center for Education and Simulation and clinical placements across more than 200 partner agencies. A 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 94.5% across 185 test takers puts the state's largest cohort near the top on licensure outcomes, and the university reports a 98.3% career outcome rate with an average starting salary of $64,851. The school's overall graduation rate is 83%.
- CCNE accredited, direct-admit from high school
- Four-year program with simulation center training
- Clinical partnerships with more than 200 agencies
- On-campus Family Health Clinic placement
- Reported average starting salary of $64,851
- University reports a 98.3% career outcome rate
University of Southern Indiana
#5Evansville, IN · ~$13,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
USI delivers its BSN in a hybrid format that blends campus and online coursework, with CCNE accreditation and a curriculum built around smaller classes and faculty mentoring. Clinical competency drives the sequence, which is aligned to American Association of Colleges of Nursing standards and prepares graduates for hospital, community health, and advanced practice roles. The school's overall graduation rate is 48%.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing
- Hybrid delivery combines campus and online coursework
- Smaller class sizes with faculty mentoring
- Curriculum aligned to AACN standards
Indiana University-South Bend
#6South Bend, IN · $9,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
IU South Bend splits its nursing offerings between an entry-level BSN for students starting out and an online RN to BSN for nurses who already hold a license. The prelicensure track spends two years on prerequisites and general education before a two-year clinical sequence, with fall and spring start dates and a competitive admission review. The online completion track is CCNE accredited and built as a stepping stone toward graduate study. The school's overall graduation rate is 40%.
- CCNE accredited four-year entry-level BSN
- 120 total credit hours
- Fall and spring start dates
- 2.5 cumulative GPA and 2.7 science GPA required
- Two-year clinical curriculum after prerequisites
- Clinical transfer application available for transfer students
- CCNE accredited online completion program for licensed RNs
- Built as a foundation for graduate nursing study
- Curriculum centers on health, wellness, and leadership
- Covers information management and healthcare technology
Manchester University
#7North Manchester, IN · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Manchester's traditional BSN is a 120-credit, eight-semester program with 756 clinical hours and a capstone leadership practicum. Clinical rotations begin in the sophomore year across rural and urban sites, and simulation labs and small classes carry much of the hands-on work. Admission is test optional with a 3.0 GPA threshold, and the school's overall graduation rate is 46%.
- CCNE accredited, 120-credit, four-year program
- 756 clinical hours with a required capstone
- 3.0 GPA minimum; test optional admission
- Clinical rotations begin in the sophomore year
- Clinical sites in both rural and urban settings
- Early Assurance option for high school seniors
- State-of-the-art simulation labs and manikins
St. Elizabeth School of Nursing
#8Lafayette, IN · $22,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95% (3-yr weighted avg)
St. Elizabeth runs a cooperative diploma plus BSN program with the University of Saint Francis, pairing in-person nursing courses in Lafayette with online general education. Students choose a two-, three-, or four-year pace, and the concept-based curriculum builds from simple to complex through active learning in small classes. The school reports that 94% of graduates have passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt since 2015, and the institution's overall graduation rate is 64%.
- ACEN accredited cooperative program with University of Saint Francis
- 120 semester credits; choose a two-, three-, or four-year pace
- In-person nursing courses in Lafayette, online general education
- School reports a 94% first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rate since 2015
- Entrance exam required (TEAS)
- Option for students who already hold a bachelor's degree
Anderson University
#9Anderson, IN · ~$25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Anderson's four-year BSN combines clinical placements at regional hospitals with coursework in evidence-based practice, adult and community health, and a senior leadership capstone. Qualified students can be admitted directly, transfer pathways are available, and every student completes a required intercultural experience. The state's 2022 first-time NCLEX-RN figure for the program was 75%, and the school's overall graduation rate is 54%.
- CCNE accredited four-year prelicensure BSN
- Clinical placements at regional hospitals
- Required intercultural experience
- Direct admission for qualified students
- Transfer pathways available
- Leadership capstone in the senior year
Saint Mary's College
#10Notre Dame, IN · $25,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 93.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Saint Mary's builds its BSN on a liberal arts foundation with relationship-centered care as the throughline, and clinical groups are capped at eight students. The college reports a 95.2% NCLEX pass rate and a 91% rate of graduates employed or enrolled in graduate school, with alumni working at institutions including Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic. Students can study in Cyprus, Puerto Rico, Uganda, or New Zealand without adding time to the degree. The school's overall graduation rate is 69%.
- CCNE accredited BSN grounded in the liberal arts
- Clinical groups capped at eight students
- Simulation labs at the Center for Healthcare Education
- Study abroad in Cyprus, Puerto Rico, Uganda, or New Zealand
- School reports a 95.2% NCLEX pass rate
- Communication course focused on patient interaction
- Pathway into the college's DNP program
Why Licensure Results Drive This List: Our Scoring Formula
A nursing degree is only as useful as the license it leads to, so this list starts with the exam that determines whether graduates can practice. For a student choosing among Indiana programs, a high first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate suggests the coursework and clinical preparation align with what the state board expects on test day. That is why pass rates are not just a statistic; they are the clearest public signal that graduates are ready for practice.
How the Score Is Built
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate: roughly three quarters of a program's score. We use a three-year average weighted by test takers, so a single strong or weak cohort cannot swing the result.
- Accreditation and completion/retention: the rest of the score. Both signal whether students persist to graduation and whether a program meets national quality standards.
The Accreditors That Matter in Indiana
CCNE typically reviews bachelor's and graduate nursing programs, while ACEN accredits programs at multiple levels, including ADN and diploma pathways. CNEA is a newer national accreditor used by some community-college ADN programs in the state, including Ivy Tech. Accreditation affects credit transfer, eligibility for MSN Programs in Indiana, and hiring decisions at some employers. A program on warning, probation, or conditional status is still accredited during monitoring, but that status is worth confirming before you enroll.
What the Score Does Not Capture
Net price and graduation rate are institution-wide College Scorecard figures, not nursing-specific numbers. Admission selectivity is not part of the score, so a school gets no bonus for turning applicants away. The formula rewards licensure results and program quality, not prestige or marketing claims.
Lowest-Cost Nursing Schools in Indiana Among the Ranked Programs
If you're wondering what the cheapest accredited nursing school in Indiana is, Indiana University Kokomo has the lowest average net price among the schools ranked here at $3,968 a year, followed by Indiana University Northwest and Purdue University Northwest, according to 2024 IPEDS and College Scorecard data. All of these are public campuses with in-state BSN tuition around $8,400. Net price is an average after grants and scholarships, so your own cost will depend on your income and aid package. Private schools often post much higher sticker prices, but institutional aid can shrink that gap considerably, so run each school's net price calculator before ruling any program out, and weigh cost alongside graduation rates, which range from about 37% to 46% institution-wide at these campuses.
| School | City | Average Net Price (After Aid) | In-State Tuition | Institution-Wide Graduation Rate | NCLEX-RN Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Kokomo | Kokomo, IN | $3,968 | $8,424 | 45.6% | 91.3% |
| Indiana University Northwest | Gary, IN | $5,130 | $8,424 | 37.4% | 91.3% |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond, IN | $6,079 | $8,357 | 42.9% | 86.8% |
Indiana by City
Explore other Indiana related topics
ADN vs. BSN Nursing Schools in Indiana: Which Path Fits You?
Yes, there are 2-year nursing programs in Indianapolis. Ivy Tech Community College's Indianapolis campus offers a 61-credit ADN that students with prior college credit or medic training can finish in as little as 15 months, and the University of Indianapolis also lists an ADN. A common Indiana route is to earn the ADN, pass the NCLEX-RN, then complete an online RN-to-BSN while working (IU Indianapolis, IU Kokomo, and IU Fort Wayne all offer one), since many hospital systems prefer or require a BSN for some roles. Our research did not identify any hospital-based diploma RN program currently enrolling students in Indiana.
| Factor | 2-Year ADN | Traditional 4-Year BSN | LPN-to-RN Bridge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program length | 61 credits at Ivy Tech Indianapolis; as little as 15 months with prior credit, plus time for required prerequisites | About four years of full-time study; IU Indianapolis also offers an accelerated second-degree option for bachelor's holders | Fewer than 12 months at Ivy Tech Indianapolis and Bloomington, where the transition awards 19 credits toward the 71-credit associate degree |
| Typical cost | Fewer total credits and community college rates make it a lower-cost entry point; confirm current tuition with each campus | Four years of university tuition, which varies between public IU campuses and private schools such as the University of Indianapolis | Shortest path to RN, so fewer credits to pay for; prior LPN training counts toward the degree |
| Where offered | Ivy Tech at more than 20 campuses, including Indianapolis, Columbus, Lafayette, and Evansville; University of Indianapolis | IU Indianapolis and University of Indianapolis offer prelicensure BSN tracks | LPN-to-ADN at 15 Ivy Tech campuses and at the University of Indianapolis; one statewide listing counts 21 LPN-to-ADN bridges in Indiana |
| Admission realities | Selective and point-based at Ivy Tech; separate application, limited seats each year, three start terms per year | Competitive prelicensure admission; requirements vary by university | Active, unencumbered LPN license, a qualifying ATI TEAS or entrance-exam score, and at least a 2.5 GPA in the practical nursing diploma; qualified applicants are considered for the next available term |
| NCLEX-RN eligibility | Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN | Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN | Graduates earn the ADN and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN |
| Career ceiling | RN licensure, but some hospital roles prefer or require a BSN; Ivy Tech Indianapolis offers a Transfer as a Junior pathway to a partner university's BSN | Broadest hospital eligibility plus a foundation for leadership roles and graduate study, including nurse practitioner programs | Same as the ADN once licensed; Ivy Tech's Transition to ASN track also admits paramedics, military medics, and certified medical assistants |
Accelerated, RN-to-BSN, and Online Nursing Programs in Indiana
If you already hold a bachelor's degree in another field, accelerated BSN programs for career changers let you build on the credits you have rather than starting over. Indiana ABSN programs generally run 12 to 18 months of full-time study.
Accelerated BSN Options for Career Changers
Several Indiana schools offer ABSN tracks, with lengths that vary by program:
- University of Southern Indiana: as little as 14 months, with a minimum GPA around 2.3.
- University of Indianapolis: roughly 15 months, 56 credits, and a 2.8 minimum GPA.
- University of Evansville: about 16 months in a hybrid format, with a 2.5 minimum GPA.
- Marian University, Valparaiso University, and Purdue University West Lafayette: reported at 15 to 16 months.
- Anderson University: closer to 21 months, with prerequisites including both Anatomy & Physiology courses, general and developmental psychology, intro chemistry, and microbiology.
- Indiana University: an in-person ABSN of about 16 months, admitting roughly 180 students per year.
Treat these as full-time, demanding programs. Coursework and clinicals are compressed, so working alongside an ABSN is usually unrealistic. Prerequisites must be finished before you start, and start terms (often January and August, though this varies) fill well in advance.
RN-to-BSN Completion for Working Nurses
If you already hold an ADN or diploma and an active RN license, an RN-to-BSN completion program adds the bachelor's credential while you keep working. Many RN to BSN programs in Indiana are built for this:
- The Indiana University RN-to-BSN Consortium runs 100% online, with nursing courses completable in about 12 months full-time after general education requirements are met. IU Columbus offers a fully online path as well.
- Purdue University Northwest offers a standard RN-to-BSN of about 16 months, plus a PowerPath track of roughly 10 months for students who finish all non-nursing courses before enrolling.
- Indiana Wesleyan University offers an online post-licensure RN-to-BSN with a 2.0 overall GPA minimum.
One Thing Online Programs Can't Skip
Even in programs marketed as online, clinical hours happen in person. RN-to-BSN completers are already practicing, but ABSN students complete supervised clinical rotations on site. Expect lab, simulation, and sometimes proctored exams in person too.
For school-by-school detail, see the site's RN-to-BSN and ABSN program hubs on registerednursing.org.
What Registered Nurses Earn in Indiana
For context on earning potential after licensure, here is what registered nurses across Indiana currently earn. This is a statewide occupational wage for all RNs, not an outcome figure for graduates of any specific program.
Nursing School Admission Requirements in Indiana, Including IU Indianapolis
Most Indiana nursing programs screen applicants in similar ways, but GPA floors, testing policies, and entry routes differ. Each item below is marked as typical across Indiana or specific to IU Indianapolis.
- Minimum GPA (Typical across Indiana)Published minimums vary. IU South Bend lists 2.5, Indiana Wesleyan 2.8, and Manchester 3.0. Competitive programs often admit students well above the stated floor.
- GPA standards (IU Indianapolis)Direct admits must keep a prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or higher. A first-semester GPA below 3.5 triggers a student-success program. Below 3.0 forfeits the direct-admit seat, though the traditional pathway stays open. The 2026-2027 bulletin does not publish a numeric minimum for traditional applicants.
- Prerequisite courses (Typical, with IU detail)Expect science and math coursework such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, and statistics. Confirm each school's exact list. IU requires a C or higher in every School of Nursing prerequisite.
- Entrance exam (Typical across Indiana)Policies differ. Evansville accepts the ACT, SAT, or TEAS, St. Elizabeth requires the TEAS, and Manchester is test optional. IU's published sources do not state an entrance-exam requirement, so verify before you apply.
- Background check, drug screen, immunizations, CPR (Typical across Indiana)Plan to complete these before clinical placements begin.
- Direct admit vs. pre-nursing (IU Indianapolis)High school seniors apply to IU by November 1, then receive an invitation to a supplemental direct-admission application. Other students start as pre-nursing and apply as early as sophomore year. Students applying from a different IU campus file an Intercampus Transfer form by March 15 for Fall or November 1 for Spring.
- Acceptance rate (IU Indianapolis)The university-wide admission rate reflects entry to IU, not the nursing major. Nursing admission is a separate, competitive step. Direct-admit seats are limited and highly competitive, and traditional applicants are ranked against the pool for a fixed number of seats, with a possible waitlist.
Indiana State Board of Nursing at a Glance
More Accredited Nursing Schools in Indiana to Consider
Beyond the schools in the ranking above, Indiana has a deep bench of accredited nursing programs spread across the state. This directory groups additional options by region so you can see what is available close to home, whether you are starting out with an ADN or BSN or returning for an RN-to-BSN. Formats range from traditional on-campus cohorts to fully online completion tracks.
Indianapolis Metro
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN In-Person Track)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Second Degree Accelerated)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
- Nursing Traditional, AS
Central Indiana
- Nursing Major
- LPN to BS (LPN Transition)
- RN to BS
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Nursing
Northwest Indiana
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (Professional Nursing)
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (Accelerated Bachelor’s Second Degree)
Northeast Indiana
- Nursing (BSN)
- Nursing (ADN)
Northern Indiana
- Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Nursing
West Central Indiana
- Nursing (BSN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Paramedic to BSN
Southwest Indiana
- Nursing RN-BSN Completion program
- Nursing, A.S.
- Nursing, ASN Completion Concentration for Licensed Practical Nurses, A.S.
Southern Indiana
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing