Top accelerated nursing programs
Accelerated programs let people with a degree in another field become registered nurses in about a year and a half. Here are the programs that state boards report separately, ordered by first-time NCLEX results.
- 340
- accelerated baccalaureate programs counted by AACN, enrolling 29,421 students and graduating 17,029
- 12 to 18
- months: typical length of an accelerated program
- 74
- accelerated tracks and entry-level master’s programs with ranked NCLEX results in 22 states
What the data shows
- Across the 74 ranked programs, 90.5% of first-time test-takers passed, compared with 87.6% for all BSN graduates nationally in 2025. 61 of the 74 were at or above the national BSN rate.
- 53 of the ranked programs are entry-level master’s programs (also called direct-entry or MEPN) that award an MSN. The rest are accelerated BSN tracks.
- The median net price among these schools is $19,231 a year, based on the school’s average for aid recipients. Accelerated tracks often cost more than the school’s regular average.
- AACN counted 75,255 qualified applications turned away from bachelor’s programs in 2025, citing insufficient clinical placement sites, faculty, preceptors, and classroom space, as well as budget cuts. Applying to several programs is standard.
Top 25 accelerated and entry-level master’s programs
Ordered by pooled first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over each program’s last three reporting years, programs with 20 or more first-time test-takers. Net price is institution-wide, not specific to the accelerated track.
| # | School | State | Type | Pass rate | Test-takers | Net price a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The College of New JerseyEwing, Public | New Jersey | Accelerated BSN | 100.0% | 196 | $26,752 |
| 2 | Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, Public | Ohio | Entry-level master's | 100.0% | 54 | $17,269 |
| 3 | University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, Public | Hawaii | Entry-level master's | 100.0% | 41 | $11,122 |
| 4 | Harding UniversitySearcy, Private | Arkansas | Entry-level master's | 100.0% | 30 | $19,786 |
| 5 | Eagle Gate Idaho Falls – MEPN RN | Idaho | Entry-level master's | 100.0% | 25 | n/a |
| 6 | Trinity College of Nursing & Health Sc. | Illinois | Entry-level master's | 100.0% | 22 | n/a |
| 7 | Texas Lutheran UniversitySeguin, Private | Texas | Entry-level master's | 98.4% | 64 | $20,716 |
| 8 | University at BuffaloBuffalo, Public | New York | Accelerated BSN | 98.0% | 350 | $21,775 |
| 9 | Xavier UniversityCincinnati, Private | Ohio | Entry-level master's | 97.6% | 41 | $31,905 |
| 10 | University of the PacificStockton, Private | California | Entry-level master's | 97.4% | 77 | $24,186 |
| 11 | Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, Public | Kentucky | Entry-level master's | 96.9% | 32 | $11,789 |
| 12 | University of California-IrvineIrvine, Public | California | Entry-level master's | 96.6% | 58 | $13,866 |
| 13 | Methodist CollegePeoria, Private | Illinois | Entry-level master's | 96.4% | 28 | $41,238 |
| 14 | OHSU (Accelerated Program) | Oregon | Accelerated BSN | 96.0% | 317 | n/a |
| 15 | Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnati, Private | Ohio | Entry-level master's | 95.7% | 116 | $19,231 |
| 16 | Eagle Gate College-Boise CampusBoise, For-profit | Idaho | Entry-level master's | 95.7% | 47 | $32,637 |
| 17 | Linfield UniversityMcMinnville, Private | Oregon | Entry-level master's | 95.5% | 46 | $24,882 |
| 18 | Saint Peter's UniversityJersey City, Private | New Jersey | Accelerated BSN | 95.3% | 128 | $8,127 |
| 19 | University of ToledoToledo, Public | Ohio | Entry-level master's | 95.3% | 107 | $16,406 |
| 20 | Augusta UniversityAugusta, Public | Georgia | Entry-level master's | 95.1% | 408 | $12,017 |
| 21 | Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, Private | New Jersey | Accelerated BSN | 95.1% | 325 | $31,552 |
| 22 | University of WY Accelerated Program | Wyoming | Accelerated BSN | 95.1% | 41 | n/a |
| 23 | Georgian Court UniversityLakewood, Private | New Jersey | Entry-level master's | 95.0% | 20 | $18,380 |
| 24 | Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, Private | Wisconsin | Entry-level master's | 94.8% | 212 | $30,561 |
| 25 | UT at Austin Alternate Entry MSN | Texas | Entry-level master's | 94.8% | 153 | n/a |
State boards of nursing, collected 2026. 30 states publish counts. Compare within a state and see the BSN overview for each state’s full list.
How to apply
Check prerequisites. Most programs need a prior bachelor’s degree plus anatomy and physiology, microbiology, chemistry, statistics and sometimes nutrition or developmental psychology, often with a minimum grade. See prerequisites for nursing.
Plan the money. Programs are full time, and most students do not work. Compare total cost, scholarships and loan options in how to pay for nursing school.
Compare programs. Ask for the pass rate of the accelerated track itself, how clinical sites are assigned, and attrition. See how to choose a nursing school and the accelerated BSN FAQ.
Check accreditation. See accredited programs by state.
Common questions
What is an accelerated nursing program?
An accelerated program is for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field. It skips general education and runs about 12 to 18 months, with nursing coursework and clinical hours packed into it. Graduates earn a BSN, or in some programs a master’s degree, and take the NCLEX-RN.
How hard is an accelerated BSN?
It is intense: classes, labs and clinical shifts run most of the week, and most programs advise against working. Prerequisite science courses must be finished before you start. Apply early, because many programs have waiting lists.
How are these programs ranked?
Programs where the state board lists the accelerated track or an entry-level master’s program separately, with at least 20 first-time test-takers over three reporting years, ordered by the pooled first-time pass rate. Many accelerated tracks are not listed separately by boards, so this list is a subset of 340 programs AACN counts nationally.
Are accelerated programs more expensive?
Tuition per credit is similar, but the program is condensed and you give up income while you study. Look at total cost, including living expenses for the 12 to 18 months, not only tuition. See how to pay for nursing school.
Sources: state boards of nursing, NCSBN, AACN (program counts and enrollment, fall 2025), IPEDS. Data sources · Methodology.