7 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Indiana 2025

To become a registered nurse (RN) in Indiana, you need to obtain a nursing license. This requires completing a nursing program and passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Unfortunately, despite demand for nurses rising nationwide, nursing programs can be highly competitive. The good news is, there are several easy nursing programs to get into in Indiana. Keep reading to find out which Indiana schools have the easiest nursing programs to get into.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Indiana?

Nursing schools in Indiana can be competitive, but it depends on which school you're applying to.

While individual schools don't release their acceptance rates to the public, the Indiana State Board of Nursing releases an annual report concerning accredited nursing programs in the state. This report includes data on the number of qualified applicants each school rejected that year.

According to this report, over 20 schools accepted all applicants in 2024 � but some rejected over 100 applicants. For example, most Indiana University campuses didn't reject any students, but the campus in Indianapolis rejected 98. Likewise, several Ivy Tech schools didn't reject applicants, but the Hamilton County campus had to reject over 300.

Most schools have a maximum enrollment capacity, so if they receive more applicants than they have available spots, they must decline some. Schools with a higher number of applicants or a lower number of spaces will have to decline more students. Even easy nursing programs sometimes have to turn away students.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Indiana Nursing Schools?

Admissions requirements for Indiana nursing schools vary by institution. Some pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs have very few nursing school requirements; they just require students to be admitted to the university and maintain a passing GPA.

Others, especially Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs, require students to first complete prerequisite courses before starting the program. Students often need to have a specific GPA, usually between 2.5 and 3.0, for these courses.

Some nursing schools require students to take an entrance exam. The most common nursing entrance exams in Indiana are the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) and the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admissions exam.

Other types of programs will have different admissions requirements:

• LPN to RN: requires licensed practical nurse (LPN) certification
• RN to BSN: requires an ADN and RN license
• Accelerated BSN (ABSN): generally requires a bachelor's degree in another field
• Entry-level Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): requires a bachelor's degree in a different field
• MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): require a BSN (sometimes an MSN, for DNP programs) and a valid RN license

You can usually find a full breakdown of a nursing program's requirements on the program website.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Indiana

While nursing schools in Indiana don't provide specific acceptance rates, we have the ability to see how many qualified students each institution had to turn away. Below, we've highlighted a few that didn't deny any students and have accessible admissions requirements.

1. Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University is a private Christian institution in Valparaiso, IN. It offers a four-year BSN through its College of Nursing and Health Professions.

According to the school, ''all first-year students, transfer students, and registered nurses who want to earn a baccalaureate degree and who have declared nursing as their intended major of study will be directly admitted to the program.'' There are no special admissions requirements.

• Estimated tuition cost: $48,450 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Anderson University

At Anderson University, students will find a BSN program that prepares students to work as nurses in various healthcare settings. This is a four-year program of study from start to finish.

Anderson University, a private Christian school, is located in Anderson, IN. To apply to the program, students need to submit their high school or GED transcripts, their SAT, ACT, or CLT scores, and two essays.

• Estimated tuition cost: $37,240 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

3. University of Southern Indiana

The University of Southern Indiana offers a BSN degree with two admissions pathways: direct admission and standard admission. USI is a public university in Evansville, IN.

The standard admission pathway requires students to have a ''C'' or above on all their prerequisites and to participate in a personal interview. The direct admission option is for high school students with a GPA of at least 3.4 and either an SAT score of at least 1210 or an ACT score of at least 25.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,066 per year (in-state); $22,907 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

4. Ivy Tech Community College- Marion

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) at Ivy Tech Community College is a four-semester, 70-credit-hour program. Applicants must have a ''C'' grade in all prerequisites and must pass the TEAS.

Ivy Tech is the public community college system in Indiana and offers the nursing program at 23 campuses. All campuses have the same admissions requirements, but acceptance rates vary. In 2024, the campus in Marion, IN, accepted all qualified applicants.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,154 per year (in-state); $9,935 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

5. University of Evansville

The University of Evansville is a private Christian institution in Evansville, IL. It offers a BSN with both direct-entry and alternative-entry options.

The direct entry option is open to high school students with a minimum ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 1100 � who have taken core English, math, and science courses. Students who don't meet these requirements can be accepted at the end of their freshman year if they have a 2.5 GPA and pass the TEAS.

• Estimated tuition cost: $44,172 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

6. Indiana University Northwest

Students at Indiana University Northwest can earn a BSN through the School of Nursing. This is a four-year program, with students completing foundational health science courses in their freshman year and starting the nursing sequence in their sophomore year.

IUN, a public university, is located in Gary, IN. Acceptance into the BSN program here requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and a minimum pre-nursing GPA of 2.7.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,424 per year (in-state); $22,811 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

7. Indiana State University

Indiana State University offers several nursing programs, including a traditional BSN degree. ISU is a public university in Terre Haute, IN.

The BSN is a four-year program, with students admitted to the major during their second year. To apply, students must have a GPA of at least 2.75 and pass an admissions exam.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,258 per year (in-state); $22,322 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

How We Rank Schools

To select the best nursing schools that are easy to get into listed above, we started by focusing on those that offered pre-licensure programs. Then, we considered the following:

• Accreditation: We only chose schools that are regionally accredited, and all nursing schools on this list are accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN.
• Acceptance rates: While specific acceptance rates weren't available, we selected schools that didn't turn away any qualified applicants in 2024.
• Admission requirements: To narrow this list, we also looked at which programs were easiest to qualify for.
• Program reputation: All programs from this list come from nonprofit schools, are approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, and have first-time NCLEX pass rates over 85%.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

All nursing programs include a blend of nursing courses and clinical experiences. This combination helps improve your knowledge as well as your overall skill set.

In pre-licensure programs, you'll take courses on topics like patient care, healthcare ethics, and professional practice. BSN and graduate programs often include courses on nursing leadership as well.

Your hands-on experience will often be a mix of labs and real-world work in clinical settings. This allows you to put what you've learned into practice.

At the graduate level, you'll spend time focused on your specialty. This may be a facet of nursing practice, such as nurse anesthesia or midwifery.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Choosing a nursing school in Indiana can be tricky, as some accept all students and some can only take a limited number of applicants. Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about the easiest nursing programs to get into and nursing programs in general.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school requires a lot of focus and attention. It's meant to be rigorous and challenging, but whether the material is actually hard will depend on your strengths and skill set.

Some students find that the hardest nursing classes are actually the prerequisite courses, like statistics, algebra, or organic chemistry. This coursework requires a lot of math, so if this is something you struggle with, it may be particularly challenging.

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

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

Many students find online programs to be easier than on-campus options. This isn't because the coursework itself is easier, but because the flexibility offered by online learning makes the work easier to attend to.

If you're concerned about the prerequisite courses required, some schools offer self-paced nursing prerequisites online. This can make those challenging classes a lot easier to tackle.

Schools often offer RN to BSN programs online. These are degree completion programs for RNs with an ADN. You'll still need to do clinical experiences in person; the easiest RN to BSN program online is going to be one that allows you to do your clinicals where you work.

What Is the Lowest GPA To Get Into Nursing School?

GPA requirements vary by school. The lowest that some schools in Indiana will accept is a 2.0, but there are many schools that require higher GPAs. Additionally, having a solid GPA can help you with rankings for programs that are more competitive.

What Is the Career Outlook for Nurses in Indiana?

The nursing career outlook across the nation is positive, and the same is true in Indiana specifically. Projections Central expects the state to see a 5% increase in nursing jobs by 2032.

What Is the Hardest Nursing School To Get Into in Indiana?

Because schools don't offer their acceptance rates, we don't know exactly which is the hardest nursing school to get into in Indiana. However, the schools that had to turn away the most qualified students in 2024 were:

• Ivy Tech Community College-Hamilton County: 300
• Ivy Tech Community College-Indianapolis: 128
• Indiana University Indianapolis: 98
• Ivy Tech Community College-South Bend: 80

Where Can I Work With a Nursing Degree in Indiana?

A nursing degree can lead to roles in various settings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over half of RNs work in hospital settings. The remainder of nurses work in clinics and for ambulatory healthcare services, the government, residential care facilities, and educational services.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Take charge of your nursing career by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn about their admissions policies, enrollment, and financial aid.