Calhoun Community College Nursing: ADN & LPN Overview (2026)
Calhoun Community College, with campuses in Decatur and Huntsville, offers stackable nursing pathways that can lead from entry‑level credentialing to registered nurse licensure. This high‑level guide summarizes what Calhoun’s public materials say about the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) options, recent NCLEX performance, and the kinds of questions you should ask before applying.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Calhoun emphasizes “stackable credentials” in nursing: students progress through clearly defined milestones in the Practical Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing curricula, with opportunities to test for CNA, LPN, and RN licensure along the way. Recent NCLEX results reported by the college highlight strong RN and LPN pass rates, but you should still verify the latest numbers and admission criteria directly with Calhoun and the Alabama Board of Nursing before you rely on any single snapshot.
Overview & Why Students Choose Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College is part of the Alabama Community College System and serves students in North Alabama through its Decatur and Huntsville campuses. Its nursing offerings are centered on an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) and a Practical Nursing certificate, with a curriculum that allows students to earn multiple credentials as they progress.
Students often consider Calhoun because they want an ACEN‑accredited, community‑college pathway into nursing that still offers strong NCLEX performance and clinical affiliations in the Tennessee Valley health‑care region.
Nursing Programs Offered
The official Calhoun website and policy manuals are the authoritative sources for program length, course lists, and admission rules. The summary below is meant to help you frame your research before you dive into those documents.
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Calhoun’s traditional nursing A.A.S. is a five‑semester, full‑time program that prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX‑RN exam. Students complete nursing courses and general education requirements, attend lecture and simulation at the Health Sciences Center (Decatur or Huntsville), and participate in clinical experiences at partner facilities.
Practical Nursing (LPN)
The Practical Nursing certificate program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX‑PN and practice as licensed practical nurses. Program materials describe LPN as part of a larger “nursing education” pathway in which students may earn multiple certificates and degrees over time.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The Alabama Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX examination pass rates by approved program in the Approved Nursing Programs — Annual Data (Calendar Year 2024) PDF (see also abn.alabama.gov). In that workbook, find this institution and the column for your program type (for example, Practical Nursing, Associate Degree, or Baccalaureate Degree). Rates can differ by pathway and reporting period.
CY2025 annual workbook: During an April 2026 editorial review, a public CY2025 file with the same “approved annual programs” layout was not confirmed on the Board’s site. Always check the Board for the latest posted year before comparing schools.
According to the Alabama Board of Nursing Approved Nursing Programs — Annual Data (Calendar Year 2024), Calhoun Community College reported a 96.76% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for its associate-degree (ADN) program, and a 99.15% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for its practical nursing (PN) program (CY2024, first-time testers). Rates can differ by pathway, campus, and reporting year. Confirm the latest outcomes with the Alabama Board of Nursing and the school before you compare programs.
Calhoun highlights strong NCLEX performance for both RN and LPN graduates. A recent college news release reported top nationally ranked outcomes, which are summarized below. Because NCLEX results can vary from year to year, treat this as a snapshot and confirm the latest statistics directly with Calhoun and the Alabama Board of Nursing.
| Program | Recent NCLEX Performance* |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (ADN) | 96.76% per ABN CY2024 annual report (CY2023: 96.88%). |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (practical nursing) | 99.15% per ABN CY2024 annual report (CY2023: 100%). |
| Source | Alabama Board of Nursing — Approved Nursing Programs — Annual Data (Calendar Year 2024) (PDF); historical comparison: CY2023 by institutions (PDF). Confirm the row for Calhoun Community College and your program type. |
*Figures summarized from Calhoun Community College’s public NCLEX news and achievement updates. For the exact number of test‑takers, year‑by‑year breakdowns, and official benchmarks, always refer to Calhoun’s nursing outcomes information and the Alabama Board of Nursing’s NCLEX reports.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Calhoun’s nursing information is written mainly for domestic applicants, but international students and foreign‑educated nurses may still use the college as part of their pathway. Because immigration and licensure rules are complex, you should always confirm the details below with Calhoun and the Alabama Board of Nursing before making decisions.
- English‑language proficiency: Confirm which exams (TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.) and minimum scores Calhoun currently requires for international admission and whether nursing has stricter standards.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Ask if foreign secondary or college transcripts must be evaluated by WES, CGFNS, or another evaluator before Calhoun will award transfer credit or place you into nursing courses.
- Licensure for foreign‑educated nurses: If you already have nursing education or licensure outside the U.S., verify with the Alabama Board of Nursing which credential evaluations, English tests, and documentation are required for NCLEX‑RN or NCLEX‑PN eligibility.
- Visa & clinical considerations: If you are studying on a visa, confirm with Calhoun’s admissions or International Programs office how full‑time enrollment, clinical rotations, and any on‑campus work fit within your immigration status.
Treat this section as orientation, not legal or licensing advice. Always use Calhoun’s official admissions resources and the Alabama Board of Nursing as your final sources of truth for international and foreign‑educated nurse requirements.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Like most community‑college nursing programs, Calhoun’s ADN and LPN tracks are selective and limited by clinical and faculty capacity. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. The college uses a point system based on GPA, test scores, and prerequisite coursework; details live in the official nursing application materials.
- GPA on core courses (for example, a minimum around 2.5 on designated academic or “nursing core” classes — verify exact threshold and which courses count in the current application cycle).
- Standardized testing such as ACT or HESI A2, including minimum composite or sub‑scores required for your intended program (ADN vs. LPN).
- Prerequisites completed at Calhoun vs. transfer institutions, and whether science and math grades are weighted more heavily.
- Application timing (e.g., published deadlines like August 31 for certain intakes on the Nursing Program Application page).
Because admission criteria can be revised between catalog years, always rely on the latest Nursing Program Application packet and health‑sciences admissions information published at calhoun.edu.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Calhoun’s tuition and fees are set by the Alabama Community College System. Exact amounts per credit hour, along with mandatory fees and nursing‑specific charges (such as testing packages, uniforms, supplies, background checks, and immunizations), are outlined in the college’s current catalog and cost information on its website.
| Topic | What to look for on Calhoun’s site |
|---|---|
| Tuition & General Fees | In‑state and out‑of‑state per‑credit rates, plus technology and other required fees for full‑time students in health‑science programs. |
| Nursing Program Costs | Estimated costs for books, uniforms, clinical supplies, testing/assessment tools, background checks, drug screens, and health‑clearance items. |
| Financial Aid & Scholarships | Information on Pell Grants, state aid, scholarships, and any health‑sciences‑specific awards or workforce grants that may apply. |
*Because cost tables change by academic year, always consult Calhoun’s latest catalog and financial‑aid pages for up‑to‑date figures and nursing‑specific fee lists before building your budget.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
For employment, salary, and licensure outcomes tied to Calhoun Community College, use the program’s official disclosures, the Alabama Board of Nursing, and direct questions to admissions and career services. Results vary by cohort and how “placement” or “employment” is defined.
| Metric | How to verify |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN / NCLEX-PN | Use ABN program data and Calhoun Community College’s published cohort results; confirm reporting year and program track. |
| Job placement / employment | If Calhoun Community College publishes rates, note the source year and methodology; otherwise ask the school for the latest consumer or accreditation disclosures. |
| Source | Alabama Board of Nursing · Calhoun Community College nursing or institutional research pages. |
Is Calhoun Community College the Right Fit for You?
Calhoun tends to be a good match for students who want a regional, community‑college route into nursing with strong NCLEX results and the option to work in North Alabama after graduation, rather than relocating for a four‑year campus.
✅ Good fit if you…
Live within commuting distance of Decatur or Huntsville, prefer smaller classes and lower tuition than a university, and like the idea of stackable credentials (CNA/LPN/ADN) that can lead into RN‑to‑BSN programs later.
⚠️ May not be ideal if you…
Want a four‑year residential experience with on‑campus housing and Division I athletics, or are looking for a fully online pre‑licensure BSN from day one.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Clinical partnerships and community sites for Calhoun Community College change over time. Check the school’s nursing pages for current affiliates and use this section as a reminder to compare employer demand where you plan to work.
| Topic | Next step |
|---|---|
| Clinical sites | Confirm with Calhoun Community College which facilities host students for your program and term. |
| Regional employers | Review local health system career pages and state workforce summaries alongside ABN licensure trends. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Campus location, nursing facilities, simulation labs, student groups, and support services are specific to Calhoun Community College. Review the official nursing and student life pages—or visit—before assuming amenities match another school.
- Ask about simulation access, tutoring, and advising for nursing students.
- Confirm housing, transportation, and wellness resources on the main college or university site.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Decatur / Huntsville, AL
- Address
- Not publicly disclosed; see calhoun.edu for campus addresses
- Telephone
- Not publicly disclosed; see Nursing
- Contact email
- Not publicly disclosed; see calhoun.edu
- Website
- calhoun.edu
Official Calhoun links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open Calhoun’s nursing and credentialing information pages and note which campuses (Decatur, Huntsville) and start terms match your plans.
- Download the current Nursing Program Application packet and highlight minimum GPA, ACT/HESI scores, and prerequisite coursework.
- List your completed and in‑progress courses, then compare them against Calhoun’s required “nursing core” or prerequisite list.
- Write down the nursing application deadline (for example, August 31 for a specific intake) and create two reminders: 30 days before and one week before.
- Prepare 3–5 questions for Calhoun’s nursing advisors about NCLEX outcomes, clinical sites, and how competitive the program has been in recent cycles.
- Compare Calhoun’s tuition and NCLEX snapshot with at least one other Alabama community college so you can see where it sits on cost vs. outcomes.
- If you plan to eventually earn a BSN, identify one or two RN‑to‑BSN programs that accept Calhoun graduates and note their admission expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How competitive is admission to Calhoun’s ADN and LPN programs?
Seat counts and applicant numbers vary by year and campus. Ask Calhoun what GPAs and test scores are typical among accepted students, and whether most accepted students have already completed their general‑education core.
Does Calhoun publish detailed NCLEX results?
Calhoun has reported recent NCLEX outcomes through news releases and internal reports. To see the most current data, ask the nursing department where to find official RN and LPN pass‑rate information and compare it to Alabama Board of Nursing summaries.
Can I work while in Calhoun’s nursing program?
Many students work part‑time, but the credit load and clinical schedule can be demanding. When you speak with advisors or current students, ask honestly how many hours per week are realistic during different semesters.
Is there a clear path from Calhoun’s ADN to a BSN?
Calhoun ADN graduates often pursue RN‑to‑BSN completion elsewhere. Ask which universities commonly accept Calhoun alumni and whether there are articulation or transfer agreements that simplify the process.
References
- Calhoun Community College — Nursing & Health Credentialing informationcalhoun.edu/health-sciences/nursing/nursing-health-credentialing-information/
- Calhoun Community College — Nursing Program Applicationcalhoun.edu/programs-training/explore-academic-programs/health-sciences/nursing/nursing-program-application/
- Calhoun Community College — News release on NCLEX performance (RN and LPN pass rates): refer to Calhoun’s official news and announcements section for the latest NCLEX updates.
- Alabama Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates by institutionabn.alabama.gov
Editorial Standards & Review
Important: This Calhoun Community College nursing overview is deliberately high‑level and based on publicly accessible Calhoun materials plus Alabama Board of Nursing references. It is not a substitute for official admission, cost, or licensure guidance; always verify programs, deadlines, and NCLEX results with Calhoun and the Alabama Board of Nursing before making decisions.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general reference and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice and does not guarantee admission, eligibility, or any particular outcome. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and relevant boards before making decisions.
Published: Apr 2, 2026· Last reviewed: Apr 2, 2026· Nursing Education Review Process · Editorial Policy