First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates among Kentucky's top programs cluster tightly at the top: Kentucky Christian University posted 100%, and Northern Kentucky University reached 99.8% on the 2026 Board of Nursing report. The question for most applicants is which schools hold those results year after year, not just once.
The practical tension is cost against outcome. A KCTCS associate degree runs under $5,000 in tuition, while a private BSN at a nonprofit or for-profit nursing school can exceed $27,000 a year, and both sit for the same licensing exam. Pass rates and net price rarely move together, which is why the gap between sticker price and payoff matters more than any single ranking.
Kentucky Nursing Schools With the Best NCLEX-RN Outcomes in 2027
Kentucky's nursing programs are presented here on first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes rather than reputation alone. The Kentucky Board of Nursing's pass rate report, published in March 2026, covers candidates who tested between January and December 2025, and the state benchmark for a program is a first-time pass rate of 80 percent or higher. Every school below is a Kentucky-based program with a currently enrollable ADN or BSN pathway.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates
- First-year retention
- Accreditation and state approval
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- NCLEX cohort size, lightly weighted
- Net price and typical debt
- 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
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
#1Bowling Green, KY · ~$4,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Budget-minded students seeking a two-year ADN
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College in Bowling Green offers a two-year associate degree in nursing that pairs campus coursework with clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and child care centers. As a KCTCS campus, it lets students begin RN coursework at community college prices and then enter practice or continue toward a BSN. Admission is selective and requires the TEAS exam plus prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, and math.
- ACEN accreditation noted in program materials
- Two-year associate degree completed in five semesters
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, and math
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and child care centers
- Program materials cite the lowest tuition in Kentucky
- Work Ready KY Scholarship and financial aid available
- Annual background check, drug screening, CPR, and immunizations required
Northern Kentucky University
#2Highland Heights, KY · $8,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Students wanting a hospital tuition partnership
Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights runs a CCNE-accredited BSN with clinical placements beginning in the first semester and simulation training in acute care, intensive care, pediatrics, and community health. A partnership with St. Elizabeth Healthcare can cover up to two years of tuition for eligible juniors and seniors who commit to working there after graduation, and participants may also work as nursing assistants at St. Elizabeth while enrolled. It is a strong fit for students who plan to stay in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati job market.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- Clinical placements begin in the first semester
- Simulation center training in acute care, ICU, pediatrics, and community health
- Faculty mentors and dedicated student advising
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare partnership can cover up to two years of tuition
- Students may work as nursing assistants at St. Elizabeth while enrolled
- Strong foundation for graduate study in nursing
Kentucky Christian University
#3Grayson, KY · $24,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Faith-based learners wanting small cohorts
Kentucky Christian University in Grayson offers a prelicensure BSN through the Yancey School of Nursing in a Christ-centered setting with small cohorts and faculty mentoring. Students complete general education and Bible coursework alongside nursing classes, then finish with a preceptored capstone and clinical rotations in hospitals and community agencies. The university also offers an online RN to BSN completion track for nurses who already hold a license.
- CCNE accredited, delivered in a Christ-centered environment
- 120 total credit hours, starts in fall
- 3.0 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses required
- ACT, TEAS, or TOEFL accepted as entrance exam
- Bible minor and general education alongside nursing coursework
- Preceptored capstone and clinical rotations in hospitals and community agencies
- Limited enrollment with small class sizes and faculty mentoring
- Post-licensure completion program for registered nurses
- 18-month, 36-credit online track
- Fully asynchronous, cohort-based online classes
- No campus visits required; clinicals completed in the home community
- 2.5 GPA minimum and two letters of recommendation
- Capstone required to finish the degree
- Designed for working nurses seeking leadership roles
Maysville Community and Technical College
#4Maysville, KY · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Maysville Community and Technical College delivers its ADN across three campuses in Maysville, Licking Valley, and Montgomery, blending classroom theory with clinical work at regional hospitals and care facilities. A five-semester traditional track and an LPN to RN pathway give both new students and working practical nurses a route to RN licensure. Low community college tuition and scholarship options keep the total cost of the degree modest.
- ACEN accredited ADN with a five-semester traditional track
- 2.5 GPA minimum with prerequisite courses
- Campus locations in Maysville, Licking Valley, and Montgomery
- LPN to RN accelerated option for licensed practical nurses
- Requires Kentucky Nurse Aide registry status
- Work Ready KY Scholarship and campus scholarships available
- Clinical experiences in hospitals and regional healthcare facilities
- Fall start with a selective admissions process
Lindsey Wilson University
#5Columbia, KY · ~$15,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Lindsey Wilson University in Columbia offers a campus-based BSN that combines nursing theory with clinical rotations in area hospitals, clinics, and community settings. The college is CCNE-accredited and Kentucky Board of Nursing approved, and also provides an RN to BSN pathway for licensed nurses. Clinical groups stay small enough that students get close faculty attention throughout the program.
- CCNE accredited and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- Campus-based prelicensure BSN in Columbia
- Program materials list tuition at $1,170 per credit hour
- College reports a 100 percent licensure pass rate for 2024
- RN to BSN pathway available for licensed nurses
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings
- Financial aid and scholarships available
University of Kentucky
#6Lexington, KY · $19,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.8% (3-yr weighted avg)
The University of Kentucky in Lexington runs one of the state's largest four-year BSN programs through the College of Nursing, with coursework in anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and care across the lifespan. Students can enter as a pre-nursing major, use a transfer pathway from KCTCS, and join an interprofessional living-learning community. Simulation and clinical learning, plus a Mayo Clinic externship option, make it a strong choice for students aiming at hospital practice or graduate study.
- CCNE accredited and Kentucky Board of Nursing approved
- Four-year, 120-credit BSN with no entrance exam required
- ACT and SAT accepted, with test-optional admission
- Students may enter as a Pre-Nursing major
- Transfer pathway designed for KCTCS students
- Interprofessional living-learning community for nursing students
- Mayo Clinic externship opportunity
- Clinical and simulation-based learning across the curriculum
Eastern Kentucky University
#7Richmond, KY · $11,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond runs prelicensure BSN, accelerated second-degree BSN, and ADN options on one campus, so students can pick the timeline that fits their situation. In 2026 Humana invested $125,000 in the program, including $50,000 for nursing scholarships and $75,000 aimed at removing personal barriers that keep students from finishing. Small clinical groups, a simulation center, and low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart are part of the package.
- CCNE accredited BSN with fall and spring start dates
- 2.5 GPA minimum and prerequisite courses required
- $0 application fee and low-cost textbooks through EKU BookSmart
- Clinical Skills Lab and Simulation Center access
- Small clinical groups with dedicated nurse specialists
- Military benefits accepted, with tuition discounts for service members
- Employers include Baptist Health and UK Chandler
- Accelerated BSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree
- Completed in less than two years, 65 total credit hours
- Fall start with one cohort per year
- 2.5 GPA minimum and three letters of recommendation
- Reduced tuition for active-duty military students
- Work Ready Scholarship eligible
- Simulation center plus small clinical groups and seminars
- ACEN accredited and approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing
- 64-credit associate degree with fall and spring starts
- HESI entrance exam required
- 2.5 GPA minimum
- $0 application fee
- Work Ready Scholarship covers up to 60 credits
- iPad required for electronic testing
- Clinical uniform and supply costs apply
Berea College
#8Berea, KY · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 95.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
Berea College enrolls students with limited financial means and pairs its BSN with paid work-study experience in real healthcare settings. Clinical partnerships with public health departments and school systems give students practice outside the hospital, and the college reports a 100 percent employment rate six months after graduation. Its endowment-supported model keeps student costs well below typical private-college tuition.
- CCNE accredited and Kentucky Board of Nursing approved
- Serves students from limited economic backgrounds
- Work-study experience built into the nursing program
- Clinical partnerships with public health departments and school systems
- Internship sites include VALOR and UPMC
- Sigma Theta Tau honor society membership available
- College reports 100 percent job placement within six months
- Prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN and graduate study
Campbellsville University
#9Campbellsville, KY · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 96% (3-yr weighted avg)
Campbellsville University offers both a prelicensure BSN and an associate degree in nursing on its Campbellsville campus, giving students two entry points into RN practice at one institution. The ADN is ACEN accredited, uses a HESI entrance exam, and runs four semesters with fall and spring starts. Published program-level detail for the BSN track is limited, so prospective students should confirm admission timelines and prerequisites directly with the School of Nursing.
- Campus-based prelicensure BSN offered by the School of Nursing
- Private Christian university in south-central Kentucky
- ACEN accredited associate degree in nursing
- HESI entrance exam required
- Four-semester program with fall and spring starts
- 2.6 GPA minimum and prerequisite courses
- Hands-on clinical rotations and simulation labs
- Program reports a 94 percent licensure pass rate
- Application deadlines: March 15 for fall, October 15 for spring
- Internal and external scholarships available
Murray State University
#10Murray, KY · $10,000 – $20,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
Murray State University in Murray offers a four-year BSN built on three semesters of prerequisites followed by five semesters of nursing coursework. Clinical placements span healthcare settings across the region, and the curriculum emphasizes communication, leadership, and evidence-based practice. Fall and spring start dates give students flexibility, and published tuition sits below many private Kentucky options.
- CCNE accredited BSN
- Four-year program: three semesters of prerequisites, five of nursing
- Fall and spring semester start dates
- Clinical experiences across the region's healthcare settings
- Curriculum emphasizes leadership and evidence-based practice
- Competitive tuition with scholarships and financial aid
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam
Inside the Score: Three Years of NCLEX-RN Results Drive This List
The list starts where nursing school ends: with how graduates perform on the licensing exam itself. About three-quarters of each school's score comes from first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate data across the latest three years of state board data. Accreditation and a small completion and retention factor make up the rest.
Why Test-Taker Counts Matter
Each year's results are weighted by the number of people who tested. That keeps small cohorts from distorting the picture. A program with 8 test takers at 100% shouldn't outrank one with 150 takers at 95%, because the larger group is much stronger evidence of consistent teaching.
Benchmarks to Measure Against
For 2025, the Kentucky Board of Nursing's pass-rate report puts the statewide first-time rate at 88.1%. NCSBN's 2025 statistics show Kentucky at 88.3%, with 143 of 162 first-time U.S.-educated candidates passing.1 The sources differ by a small margin. Nationally, U.S.-educated first-time candidates passed at 86.7%.1
The board also sets a floor: programs must keep their pass-rate average at 80% or higher for three consecutive years. A school that sits above the state figure is clearing that bar comfortably.
Context, Not Guarantees
Graduation rates are institution-wide, and net prices are averages after aid. Use them as background when comparing schools, not as promises about any one nursing program.
ADN, BSN, ABSN, or RN-to-BSN: Matching a Kentucky Nursing Path to Your Goals
Kentucky's nursing paths fall into two groups: pre-licensure programs that prepare you for the NCLEX-RN, and the post-licensure RN-to-BSN for nurses who already hold a license. ADN graduates, most from KCTCS community colleges, take the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates. Our rule of thumb: choose an ADN for the fastest, lowest-cost entry, a BSN if you are targeting hospital Magnet roles or graduate school, and an accelerated BSN if you already hold a bachelor's degree and are changing careers.
| Path | Licensure Stage | Typical Length | Credential | Best Fit | Kentucky Providers and Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LPN-to-RN | Pre-licensure (for licensed LPNs) | Varies by program | ADN or BSN | Working LPNs ready to move up to RN practice | Bridge options vary by school; UK's accelerated BSN also accepts active LPNs |
| ADN | Pre-licensure | About 2 years | Associate Degree in Nursing | Students wanting the fastest, lowest-cost route to RN licensure | KCTCS community colleges are the main providers; graduates sit for the same NCLEX-RN as BSN graduates |
| Traditional BSN | Pre-licensure | About 4 years | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | First-time college students aiming for Magnet hospital roles or graduate school | Offered at public and private universities across the state |
| Accelerated BSN: University of Kentucky | Pre-licensure | 16 months, including summer terms | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Degree holders in other fields, U.S. military medics, active LPNs, approved dual-degree students | Minimum C in anatomy, physiology, biology, chemistry, psychology, microbiology, nutrition, and statistics; 2.5 cumulative and 2.5 science GPA |
| Accelerated BSN: Bellarmine University | Pre-licensure | 12 months (summer, fall, spring) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Career changers with a bachelor's degree in another field | Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited school; C or better in Anatomy and Physiology I and II; B- or better in other science and nutrition prerequisites; 2.75 prerequisite and cumulative GPA |
| Accelerated BSN: Spalding University | Pre-licensure | 13 months (56 credits) | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Career changers with a bachelor's degree in another field | June start; prior bachelor's degree required |
| Accelerated BSN: University of Louisville | Pre-licensure | Confirm current length with the school | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Applicants seeking a selective accelerated pathway | Microbiology with lab, Anatomy and Physiology I and II with labs, Chemistry for Health Professionals, and Life Span Developmental Psychology completed before the program starts |
| Second-Degree BSN: Eastern Kentucky University | Pre-licensure | Confirm current length with the school | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Students pursuing a second bachelor's degree in nursing | 15 to 16 credit hours in anatomy and physiology, microbiology, nutrition, and statistics |
| RN-to-BSN | Post-licensure | Varies by school | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | Licensed RNs, often ADN graduates, who want to finish a bachelor's degree | Active RN license required; students are already licensed, so it does not prepare for initial NCLEX-RN testing |
Kentucky by City
Explore other Kentucky related topics
What Kentucky Nursing School Really Costs After Financial Aid
Net price is the average amount students pay in a year after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the full cost of attendance. It is an average for past students, not a quote, so your own bill will depend on your financial aid for nursing students.
Public Colleges vs. Private Schools
The KCTCS community and technical colleges here sit in a tight, low band. Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College averages $3,537 after aid, Somerset Community College $4,398, and Maysville Community and Technical College $4,605. The rest of the KCTCS colleges listed run from about $5,300 to $5,900, with Hopkinsville Community College at $5,875.
Berea College is the private exception worth a look. Its listed tuition and fees are $51,658, yet the average net price is $6,106. That public vs private nursing programs gap shows why sticker price alone should never rule a school out or in.
What Residency Is Worth
At every KCTCS college on this list, in-state tuition and fees are $4,728 and out-of-state is $6,432. Residency saves roughly $1,700 a year, which adds up across a multi-semester ADN.
Program-Level Debt
Median federal debt and the 10-year monthly payment for nursing graduates are not yet published for these programs. School-wide debt figures blend in other majors and say little about what a nursing graduate borrows, so they are not used here. Ask each financial aid office for typical nursing borrowing before you commit.
The Practical Takeaway
A community college ADN with strong licensing results is often the lowest-debt route to an RN license. Southcentral Kentucky pairs the lowest net price here with a 98.4% NCLEX-RN pass rate. Once you are licensed and working, many nurses finish a BSN through RN to BSN Programs in Kentucky, often with employer help.
Kentucky RN Median Annual Wage
Federal wage data offers a clear benchmark for what registered nurses earn across Kentucky.
Where Kentucky RNs Earn the Most: Pay and Jobs by Metro Area
Current federal wage data does not break out RN pay for individual Kentucky metros such as Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, or Elizabethtown, so the table below shows statewide figures for licensed nurses at all experience levels from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Kentucky RNs earn a median of $81,040, with the middle half earning between $75,670 and $97,200. Larger hospital markets like Louisville and Lexington tend to fall toward the upper end of that range, while smaller metros and rural areas often pay less but carry lower housing costs, so weigh any offer against local cost of living. Demand looks steady: the Kentucky Center for Statistics counts about 48,615 RNs employed in 2023 and lists 28,582 projected openings in its 2033 projection figures, though it does not say whether that number is annual or covers the full projection period.
| Occupation | Kentucky Employment | 25th Percentile Wage | Median Annual Wage | Mean Annual Wage | 75th Percentile Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 50,300 | $75,670 | $81,040 | $86,140 | $97,200 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 4,770 | $106,240 | $122,870 | $125,010 | $132,720 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | 8,570 | $54,290 | $60,460 | $60,460 | $65,090 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,130 | $59,550 | $71,920 | $76,560 | $83,830 |
Getting in: Prerequisites, GPA, and TEAS Expectations at Kentucky Programs
Admission standards vary widely across Kentucky, even among community colleges in the same system. Treat the figures below as reference points, and confirm current requirements directly with each program before you apply.
- Science prerequisitesAnatomy and physiology is the common gatekeeper. Bluegrass lists BIO 137 (A&P I) as a prerequisite. Jefferson requires BIO 137, PSY 110, and a quantitative math course, and BIO 137 must be completed within 10 years of your first ADN semester. Expect to need at least a C, and some campuses set the bar at C+. University BSN programs commonly add microbiology and chemistry, so check each school's list.
- GPA thresholdsGateway, Ashland, and Maysville set a 2.5 minimum. Jefferson's minimum is 2.75 or 3.0, depending on the pathway. Elizabethtown does not consider applicants below a 3.0. These are floors, not competitive targets. For university traditional BSN programs, 2026 GPA standards could not be verified, so ask admissions offices directly. UK's RN-to-BSN requires a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Entrance examsOwensboro requires a Proficient score (58.7% or higher) on the ATI TEAS. Elizabethtown does not consider HESI A2 scores below 75%. Galen College of Nursing in Louisville accepts the TEAS, HESI A2, ACT, SAT, or PAX. Some programs, including Jefferson, set no fixed exam score.
- Selective vs. direct entryKCTCS ADN programs use selective admission, so meeting the minimums does not guarantee a seat. Whether a university admits freshmen directly into nursing or requires a separate upper-division application varies, so ask before you enroll.
- Pre-clinical clearancesPlan for a criminal background check, drug screen, current immunizations, and CPR certification before clinicals begin. Jefferson also requires Kentucky State Registered Nurse Aide status or completion of HST 104, which includes CPR. Its Spring 2027 application deadline was September 25, 2026.
Kentucky Board of Nursing Licensure Snapshot
More Kentucky ADN and BSN Programs Worth a Look
The directory below rounds out this guide with nursing programs across Kentucky that sit outside the ranked list, spanning community college associate degrees and university BSN tracks. Each entry notes the city, the credentials offered, and whether instruction is on campus, hybrid, or online, so you can weigh location and schedule against your goals. Cost and financial aid for these programs are covered later in this guide.
Louisville Metro
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- 3-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate's Degree Registered Nurse
- Nursing (Pre-Licensure Program) (BSN)
- Nursing (RN-BSN Online Program) (BSN)
- Nursing, Accelerated Program (BSN) (Accelerated Second Degree)
Bluegrass Region
- Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Northern Kentucky
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing - 3 Year BSN Program (Prelicensure BSN)
Eastern Kentucky
- Nursing, Pre-Licensure, B.S.N.
- Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
South Central Kentucky
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science in Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
Western Kentucky
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Nursing - AAS