5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in North Carolina 2025

The surest way to begin a successful nursing career is to earn an accredited degree in the field and become a registered nurse (RN). Prospective nurses usually do this by earning either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Although the coursework is never easy, you can at least make your admission into nursing programs more secure by researching schools with flexible enrollment guidelines and higher acceptance rates. This article will show you the easiest nursing schools to get into in the State of North Carolina.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in North Carolina?

Even the easiest nursing programs to get into in North Carolina are still rather competitive. Acceptance rates for most BSN programs are as low as 20%, so you'll need a high grade point average (GPA) and score no less than a 'C' in introductory nursing courses. If you did not achieve the highest general education grades or believe you cannot get into the best nursing schools, then take some time to explore easy nursing programs, which offer remedial opportunities, lenient admissions, and online coursework.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for North Carolina Nursing Schools?

The basic nursing school requirements will depend on the type of program you wish to pursue. Many nurses earn their RN license or become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) after studying for one to two years at a community college.

If you wish to pursue a BSN, then the admissions standards are stricter, requiring applicants to submit a GPA of at least 3.0. Some programs require students to take a standardized test called the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) and meet certain scoring thresholds.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in North Carolina

This is a list of North Carolina schools with the highest acceptance rates. This includes some of the state's easiest RN to BSN programs online for nurses interested in continuing education opportunities.

1. University of North Carolina - Pembroke

The University of North Carolina - Pembroke (UNCP) has the highest acceptance rate among North Carolina nursing care programs. It also grants several degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including a pre-licensure BSN, a traditional BSN program, an RN-to-BSN bridge program, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). UNCP also boasts a solid 96% pass rate for first-time test takers of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $292.46 per credit hour (in-state); $1,798.00 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 91%
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE

2. University of North Carolina - Greensboro

The University of North Carolina - Greensboro (UNCG) has an 80% acceptance rate for its undergraduate nursing program. This is a solid option for distance learners because UNCG ranks #1 among North Carolina universities for online colleges, according to Newsweek. Given the school's central location in North Carolina, it routinely places trained RNs into nursing positions in places like Durham, Fayetteville, Raleigh, and other large communities.

• Estimated tuition cost: $292.46 per credit hour (in-state); $1,052 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 90%
• Accreditation: CCNE

3. University of North Carolina - Charlotte

The University of North Carolina - Charlotte (UNCC) offers bachelor's degrees, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a DNP for new nursing students and experienced nurse practitioners. Its MSN program ranks #21 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report. UNCC also claims the #3 ranking for online bachelor's degrees.

• Estimated tuition cost: $288.82 per credit hour (in-state); $536.98 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 80%
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. University of North Carolina - Wilmington

The University of North Carolina - Wilmington (UNCW) offers its prospective students the chance to complete an RN-to-BSN fully online. The program takes at least 12 months to finish (30 credit hours total). UNCW estimates a total tuition cost of just over $6,000, which you can offset further by exploring the university's financial aid opportunities for nursing students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $293 per credit hour (in-state); $967.56 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 70%
• Accreditation: CCNE

5. East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) grants qualified nursing students the chance to earn an accelerated BSN (ABSN) within 12 months. This is not an easy or part-time program, though. Although ECU's acceptance rate is lower than the other schools on this list, it offers the most affordable tuition and the fastest degree completion time.

• Estimated tuition cost: $204.79 per credit hour (in-state); $883.00 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 55%
• Accreditation: CCNE

How We Rank Schools

Here is a description of our ranking system. Our list considers three important selection factors: accreditation, acceptance rates, and program reputation.

• Accreditation: All schools must receive accreditation from a reputable nursing auditor, such as CCNE, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), or the North Carolina Board of Nursing.
• Acceptance rates: These programs have the highest acceptance rates among nursing programs in North Carolina.
• Program reputation: Although they have high acceptance rates, each school of nursing offers a quality education for in-person students and online students alike.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

First-time nursing students can expect to take about 18 months of general education and nursing coursework followed by clinical training if they enter an ADN program. BSN programs are similar but have longer coursework requirements, more hands-on clinical experience, and pre-licensure requirements. Typical nursing school topics include patient care techniques, pediatric care, mental health nursing, and introduction to several other health sciences and nursing specialties.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the easiest nursing schools to get into. This section addresses issues like program difficulty, online nursing education, and the fastest degree options.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school can be challenging for many students because it requires various difficult prerequisite courses just to gain admission. This includes courses in chemistry, biology, college algebra, and statistics. Then, once you've gotten into upper-division courses (for a bachelor's degree), the advanced nursing topics can present many challenges as well.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

The answer to this question depends on which nursing programs you pursue, but online schools are generally more flexible with admissions and coursework difficulty than traditional on-campus programs. One reason for this is the availability of a self-paced curriculum, which makes courses much easier and more convenient.

This is less common among traditional programs. So, if you find yourself not quite prepared for a rigorous program, then consider starting with one or two self-paced nursing prerequisites online to see if you can handle the coursework before entering a full-time degree program.

Can I Get Into Nursing School With a Low TEAS Score?

Yes, you can attend nursing school even with low test scores if you apply to schools that do not require the TEAS or will admit applicants with lower scores. Even some of the highly selective universities, such as the University of North Carolina (UNC) - Chapel Hill, do not require this test. Instead, these nursing schools place greater emphasis on GPA and other competency measures.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in North Carolina?

The fastest way to obtain an RN license is to complete an associate degree as fast as possible and earn an entry-level license within 16 to 18 months. If you desire to earn a BSN, the fastest option in North Carolina is the ABSN program at ECU, which takes only 12 months to complete.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in North Carolina?

The nursing career outlook is positive for the foreseeable future. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nursing jobs should increase about 6% from 2023 to 2033. Nurses also earn terrific wages, including over $93,000 by mid-career.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest nursing class depends on one's personal strengths and weaknesses academically. If you find math difficult, then you may have trouble completing a program's statistics or calculus requirements. Many nursing students also struggle with other hard sciences, especially organic chemistry.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

We invite you to learn more about nursing school, nursing licensure, and every other important component of healthcare education. Learn.org offers you the best information on every angle of nursing education.