5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Michigan 2025

Nursing schools prepare students to work as registered nurses (RNs) and to take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). While nurses are in demand across the country, nursing programs can be highly competitive.

The easy nursing programs to get into are usually ones with low barriers to admissions and waitlists for an excess of applicants. Keep reading to discover the easiest nursing schools to get into in Michigan.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Michigan?

Most nursing schools in Michigan do not list their specific acceptance rates, so it's hard to know exactly how competitive they are or identify the easiest nursing programs to get into. However, many programs state that admissions are competitive and not all applicants will be accepted.

Unsurprisingly, the larger schools like the University of Michigan and Michigan State University are the most competitive. But even some of what may be considered easy nursing programs are competitive as well.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Michigan Nursing Schools?

Most nursing schools in Michigan require that students have taken all prerequisite courses before they can begin the program. Many also require a minimum GPA for these courses, usually between 2.5 and 3.0.

Some nursing schools also require an entry exam, like the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS), Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admissions exam, or Kaplan nursing admissions test. You may also need to fulfill other nursing school requirements like letters of recommendation or to participate in an interview process.

After acceptance, you'll typically need to pass a background check and be up to date on your immunizations before you're allowed to begin the program. Some programs require you to be competent in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Note that if you're applying to a registered nurse to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program or a graduate program like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), you'll usually have different entrance requirements.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Michigan

As we mentioned above, very few nursing schools in Michigan release their acceptance rates to the public. Below, we've highlighted nursing programs in the state with easier admissions requirements or waitlists that guarantee admission � even if it's not right away.

1. Grand Rapids Community College

Grand Rapids Community College is a public community college in Grand Rapids, MI. It offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that blends coursework and clinical experiences.

To apply, students must have a high school GPA of 2.5 or a college GPA of 2.0, complete all pre-nursing courses, pass the HESI, and undergo a background check. After this, approved students are added to the waitlist and added to the program on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Estimated tuition cost: $4,179 per year (in-state); $12,219 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Muskegon Community College

At Muskegon Community College, students can earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing. This program requires students to pass general education courses with a GPA of 2.0 and nursing prerequisites with a GPA of 2.5 for admission.

MCC, a public community college, is located in Muskegon, MI. Students who meet the admissions requirements for the nursing program are placed on a waitlist. The list is first-come, first-served, and students usually wait on the list for a year and a half to two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $7,250 per year (in-state); $16,010 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

3. Bay College

Bay College offers an AAS in nursing that takes five semesters to complete. Bay College is a public community college in Escanaba, MI.

There is only one prerequisite for this course: Anatomy and Physiology I (BIOL 213). Students who complete the course with a C or better will be considered for admission.

• Estimated tuition cost: $5,712 per year (in-state); $10,528 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

4. Ferris State University

The BSN program at Ferris State University requires students to complete their pre-nursing courses with a GPA of 2.7. After applying to the nursing program, they're added to a queue. Students are added to the program based on when they finish their prerequisites.

Ferris State, located in Big Rapids, MI, is a public university. It accepts up to 96 students per year, divided into three cohorts throughout the year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,778 per year (in-state and out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 81% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

5. Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University is a public institution in University Center, MI. It offers a bachelor's degree in nursing.

This program is competitive and requires a 3.0 GPA to qualify. While the school does not provide a specific acceptance rate, it says that 96 students are accepted each semester from a typical applicant pool of 100 to 120 applicants. This works out to an acceptance rate somewhere between 80% and 96%.

• Estimated tuition cost: $12,930 per year (in-state); $30,450 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 73% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and CCNE

How We Rank Schools

As mentioned, most nursing schools don't list their acceptance rates. To choose the best nursing schools above, we focused on ADN programs and BSN degrees that lead to licensure and meet the following criteria:

• Accreditation: All institutions are accredited, and all nursing programs are programmatically accredited.
• Admissions: All schools listed either have low admissions requirements or waitlists, or they provide evidence that they accept most students.
• Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, all schools are approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and have a first-time NCLEX pass rate of over 90%.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

In a nursing degree program designed to lead to licensure, sometimes called a pre-licensure program, you can expect a blend of coursework on the nursing profession and hands-on experiences.

While the curriculum will vary based on the school of nursing, most programs cover topics such as patient care, ethics, and mental health. You'll learn healthcare across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics, and participate in clinical rotations in various healthcare settings.

Some schools offer advanced pathways for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and some offer registered nurse to BSN (RN to BSN) programs. Your college of nursing may also offer graduate options for nurse practitioners. These have different requirements than pre-licensure programs.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Finding a nursing program is exciting but a little scary too. We've answered some frequently asked questions about nursing programs to help soothe your nerves.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school can be challenging for some students. The coursework is rigorous, and these programs require a lot of dedication.

Depending on your skills, you may find certain aspects of the program harder than others. Many students particularly struggle with the math and chemistry prerequisites required for nursing.

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

Are Online Nursing Schools Easier Than Traditional Programs?

For some students, learning online is easier than learning in person. While online courses are just as challenging, the flexibility makes them much easier to tackle.

Most nursing programs that are offered online only allow you to take a portion of courses online, and you'll need to be in person for most labs and clinical experiences. You may also be able to find self-paced nursing prerequisites online.

RN to BSN programs are commonly offered with online classes. The easiest RN to BSN program online are those that let you do your coursework online and your clinical placements where you already work.

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

It is possible to get into nursing school with a low TEAS score in Michigan, as many schools in Michigan don't require the TEAS. They either require a different exam or don't require an exam at all.

If you're not the greatest test-taker, focus on getting good grades in your prerequisite classes. This can help boost your application even if your test scores aren't great.

What Is the Fastest RN Program in Michigan?

If you don't have any college education yet, the fastest nursing option is going to be an ADN degree. These usually take two to three years of full-time study after you've completed your prerequisites.

If you hold an LPN license, you can finish your ADN faster. If you already have a bachelor's in another field, consider an accelerated BSN (ABSN), which usually takes one to two years.

What Is the Job Outlook for Nurses in Michigan?

The nursing career outlook in Michigan is lower than the national average, but jobs for RNs are still expected to grow over the next decade. According to O*Net, RNs in Michigan should see a job increase of about 3% by 2032.

Certain areas of Michigan employ more RNs than others. For example, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids are nursing hotspots compared to more rural areas.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest nursing class will depend on your skill set. If you're not great with math, some of the math and science prerequisites may be a struggle. If you struggle with memorization, courses like microbiology or pathology might be hard.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Prepare to pursue your career goals by exploring the nursing programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific nursing schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.