Western Kentucky University Nursing (2026): Programs, NCLEX & What You Need to Apply
WKU’s School of Nursing and Allied Health in Bowling Green runs pre-licensure BSN and LPN-to-ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) programs, a Master Entry Professional Nursing (MEPN) combined BSN/MSN track, online RN-to-BSN, MSN (FNP and PMHNP), post-MSN certificates, and DNP. This guide cites Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates (2020–2024 PDF), WKU’s official tuition and fees schedule (Fall 2025/Spring 2026), and BSN program pages for HESI and deadlines.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
WKU combines pre-licensure BSN and LPN-to-ASN pathways with a distinctive MEPN (master entry) combined BSN/MSN track for career changers, plus online RN-to-BSN and APRN-to-DNP ladders—anchored at the Medical Center/WKU Health Sciences Complex with published KBN NCLEX outcomes and a clear HESI-based BSN application process.
Overview & Why Students Choose Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green—south-central Kentucky’s retail and healthcare hub, within driving distance of Nashville and Louisville. The School of Nursing and Allied Health houses pre-licensure BSN and LPN-to-ASN programs, the MEPN combined pathway for second-degree students, online RN-to-BSN completion, MSN concentrations, post-MSN certificates, and DNP tracks, so many students can stack credentials without leaving the institution.
WKU publishes a direct link to Kentucky Board of Nursing benchmark and pass-rate materials on its nursing homepage, and the state’s NCLEX Pass Rates PDF lists program-level first-time pass rates by calendar year—useful for comparing WKU’s BSN, MEPN, and ASN codes (US76500200, US76510300, US76408600) against the Board’s 80% NCLEX benchmark.
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates document (calendar years 2020–2024; first-time testers within one year of program completion), WKU’s Baccalaureate Nursing program (US76500200) posted a 97.8% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024 (135 of 138 testers) with a 91.7% figure in the PDF’s trailing combined column (418 of 456). MEPN (US76510300) shows 100.0% in the 2024 column (88 of 88 testers); the same row’s rightmost column lists 96.6% (28 of 29). Associate Degree Nursing aligned with WKU’s LPN-to-ASN program (US76408600) posted 87.1% in 2024 (101 of 116). Confirm the next publication cycle with KBN and WKU.
Reasons students choose WKU
MEPN for career changers
The combined Master Entry Professional Nursing program lets students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree pursue concurrent BSN and MSN coursework with a defined HESI threshold—distinct from a generic ABSN-only pathway.
Health Sciences Complex
Upper-division BSN, MEPN, MSN, and DNP courses are centered in the Medical Center/WKU Health Sciences Complex—co-located with regional clinical partners for skills labs and rotations.
LPN mobility
The LPN-to-ASN track uses online didactic delivery with local clinicals—aimed at working LPNs in south-central Kentucky who need an RN credential without relocating.
Published tuition bands
WKU’s Fall 2025/Spring 2026 tuition schedule lists undergraduate ($503/credit KY resident), RN-to-BSN ($394/credit), graduate ($607/credit resident), and DNP ($663/credit resident) rates plus a $575/semester nursing program fee for BSN (586) majors.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following lists mirror WKU’s academic catalog and School of Nursing and Allied Health pages. Pre-licensure programs prepare students for the NCLEX-RN; post-licensure programs require RN licensure unless otherwise noted (MEPN is for non-RN bachelor’s graduates).
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Upper-division BSN after Colonnade and prerequisites; junior/senior nursing courses are full-time cohort-based (57 nursing credits). Clinicals may be days, evenings, nights, or weekends in or outside Bowling Green. CCNE-accredited per WKU.
Associate of Science in Nursing (LPN to ASN)
61-semester-hour LPN-to-RN pathway with online didactic and local clinicals; ACEN Continuing Accreditation per WKU. Requires current LPN license and competitive admission including an admission assessment test.
Master Entry Professional Nursing (MEPN)
Accelerated BSN-style entry for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s: combined undergraduate and graduate coursework leading to eligibility for NCLEX-RN and an MSN (72 total hours in the combined plan per catalog). HESI comprehensive score 80+ required for admission.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN to BSN
30 upper-division nursing credits (often completable in about one calendar year) plus general education; $394 per credit on the RN-to-BSN tuition line. Requires ASN from an accredited program and unencumbered RN license (or one semester provisional enrollment if NCLEX pending).
Graduate & doctoral
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-BSN APRN track; CCNE-accredited per WKU. One year of RN experience required before FNP clinical courses.
MSN — Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-BSN APRN track; one year of psychiatric mental health RN experience required before PMHNP clinicals.
Post-MSN Certificate — FNP or PMHNP
Non-degree certificates for MSN-prepared nurses seeking additional APRN eligibility.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BSN-to-DNP (Family NP or Nurse Executive), MSN-to-DNP, practice doctorate with immersion and DNP project; CCNE-accredited per WKU.
WKU does not list a standalone PhD in nursing in the catalog excerpt reviewed here. Dental hygiene and other allied health programs share the School of Nursing and Allied Health—confirm you are applying to a nursing major. Always verify active tracks on wku.edu/nursing and in the WKU graduate/undergraduate catalogs.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Kentucky’s Board of Nursing publishes NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years with first-time tester data by calendar year (January 1–December 31) for each approved program code. The table below uses that official PDF—see NCLEX Pass Rates (KBN).
Western Kentucky University (KBN program codes)
| Program (KBN) | NCLEX code | 2024 column | Trailing column (PDF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) | US76500200 | 97.8% (135 of 138 first-time testers) | 91.7% (418 of 456) |
| Master’s Entry Program of Nursing (MEPN) | US76510300 | 100.0% (88 of 88 first-time testers) | 96.6% (28 of 29) |
| Associate Degree Nursing (WKU LPN-to-ASN) | US76408600 | 87.1% (101 of 116) | 82.3% (270 of 328) |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF). Rates are for first-time testers within one year of program completion. Confirm the latest year with KBN. | ||
Benchmark context: Kentucky’s NCLEX benchmark for programs is an average of ≥80% over three consecutive years without year-to-year fluctuation above/below 80% across five years (see KBN benchmarks page). WKU’s 2024 BSN, MEPN, and ASN first-time rates cited above exceed the 80% threshold; use the full PDF for year-by-year trends and the Board’s definitions of each column.
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and WKU School of Nursing and Allied Health.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Western Kentucky University and the Kentucky Board of Nursing. This is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: WKU’s nursing pages reference TOEFL policies for ESL applicants (including minimum iBT subscores for MEPN). Undergraduate pre-licensure applicants may need TOEFL documentation per the BSN ESL policy PDF.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow WKU Admissions and Graduate Studies instructions for international transcripts and any required evaluations.
- Kentucky Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility, confirm documentation, CGFNS, or endorsement steps with kbn.ky.gov.
- Immigration & visa: Confirm whether required clinical courses and health screenings meet requirements for your visa category.
Policies change frequently. Verify with WKU’s international office, the School of Nursing and Allied Health, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at WKU is competitive and capacity-limited: you must be admitted to the university and then meet School of Nursing criteria. The Traditional BSN requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for college coursework if you were admitted to WKU in Fall 2024 or later (2.75 if admitted before Fall 2024), plus a “C” or better in designated sciences and prerequisites. All applicants must complete the HESI Nursing Entrance Exam before applying and submit scores with the emailed application.
Application timeline (Traditional BSN)
| Program | Term | Application deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | Fall | February 1 | Email application, HESI scores, and TOEFL if required to nursing@wku.edu |
| Traditional BSN | Spring | September 1 | Same submission process |
| RN-to-BSN | Fall / Spring / Summer | Confirm on RN-to-BSN page | Multiple entry points; 2.5 GPA on all college work |
| MEPN / Graduate nursing | Varies | See graduate catalog & program page | HESI 80+ for MEPN; separate Graduate Studies application |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | BSN: 3.0+ overall for students admitted Fall 2024+ (per BSN page); pre-nursing students must hold 3.0+ to remain in pre-nursing; RN-to-BSN: 2.5 cumulative. |
| HESI / TEAS | BSN: HESI Nursing Entrance Exam required (one attempt per cycle). MEPN: HESI comprehensive ≥80. TEAS is not the listed exam for these tracks. |
| Guaranteed Nursing Admission (GNA) | First-time freshmen only—not transfer students—with GPA/ACT/SAT thresholds; maintain 3.25 and B grades in key courses for guaranteed upper-division seat by year three. |
Honest tip: Complete anatomy and physiology within five years at the same institution (or plan for HESI A&P remediation) and register for the HESI early—scores are valid one calendar year and you may take the exam only once per application cycle.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The figures below come from WKU’s official Fall 2025/Spring 2026 Tuition and Fees Schedule and the BSN program page (nursing program fee). Housing, meals, books, uniforms, travel to clinicals, background checks, and immunizations are additional—see WKU’s cost-of-attendance materials.
| Program / rate | Published amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Kentucky resident | $503 per credit hour; $6,036 full-time flat (12–18 credits/semester) | WKU Tuition & Fees 2025–26 |
| Undergraduate non-resident | $1,125 per credit hour | Same schedule |
| RN-to-BSN online | $394 per credit hour | Special programs table on same page |
| Graduate nursing (typical MSN courses) | $607 per credit (KY resident); $917 non-resident domestic | Graduate section |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | $663 per credit (resident); $858 non-resident; MSN-to-DNP also lists $221/credit program fee | DNP rows + program fees section |
| BSN nursing program fee (586 majors) | $575 per Fall and Spring semester while enrolled | WKU BSN page + billing schedule |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use Kentucky Board of Nursing publications for licensure exam outcomes and WKU career or alumni materials for employment context. First-time NCLEX pass rates can move year to year as cohort size changes.
| Metric | Value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN | 97.8% (2024 calendar year; 135 of 138) | KBN Pass Rates PDF; five-year aggregate 91.7% (418 of 456). |
| MEPN first-time NCLEX-RN | 100.0% (2024; 88 of 88); trailing column 96.6% (28 of 29) | KBN Pass Rates PDF (US76510300). |
| ASN (LPN-to-RN) first-time NCLEX-RN | 87.1% (2024; 101 of 116) | KBN Pass Rates PDF (US76408600). |
| Employment / placement | Not excerpted on this page from WKU consumer disclosures | See WKU outcomes or career services resources for school-reported employment metrics. |
| Next step | Confirm current rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and WKU School of Nursing and Allied Health. | |
Is Western Kentucky University the Right Fit for You?
WKU fits students who want a public university with strong KBN-reported NCLEX outcomes, a dedicated health sciences campus in Bowling Green, and flexible online RN-to-BSN and graduate options—but pre-licensure seats remain competitive and require strict prerequisite and testing timelines.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want BSN, LPN-to-ASN, or MEPN pathways plus APRN/DNP ladders at one Kentucky public institution.
- Can commit to HESI testing, cohort progression, and clinical scheduling that may include evenings or weekends.
- Plan to work in south-central Kentucky or the broader Mid-South where Bowling Green clinical partners operate.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need part-time progression in the Traditional BSN—WKU states part-time progression is not available in that track.
- Prefer TEAS-only admissions—the Traditional BSN uses the HESI Nursing Entrance Exam.
- Cannot meet the higher GPA bar for students admitted to WKU in Fall 2024 or later (3.0 overall for BSN applicants).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Bowling Green is Warren County’s hub—home to The Medical Center at Bowling Green (which partners with WKU on the Health Sciences Complex), numerous primary-care clinics, long-term care, public health, and school settings used for community rotations. Nashville, Tennessee, is about an hour south, expanding tertiary referral options; Louisville and Lexington are within a few hours for specialty experiences. Kentucky continues to report nursing workforce demand in rural and suburban counties, which supports robust clinical placement needs—students should expect travel within the region for some rotations.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| The Medical Center at Bowling Green | Co-located with the WKU Health Sciences Complex; major local acute-care partner for clinical learning. |
| Veterans Affairs & community hospitals (regional) | WKU clinical materials reference varied agencies; confirm current contracts with the School of Nursing. |
| Public health & schools | Community health nursing placements include health departments and schools per WKU BSN course descriptions. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Upper-division BSN, MEPN, MSN, and DNP students use the Medical Center/WKU Health Sciences Complex on Park Street—suite 2055 houses program offices—with simulation labs and clinical coordination tied to regional agencies. The LPN-to-ASN program is based on WKU South Campus (Nashville Road). Student organizations, wellness services, and campus life are available through the main WKU campus; nursing-specific handbooks and policies are published on wku.edu/nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Bowling Green, KY (Med Center/WKU Health Sciences Complex)
- Address
- School of Nursing and Allied Health, 250 Park Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101, US (mailing: 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11036, Bowling Green, KY 42101-1036)
- Telephone
- 270-745-3391
- Contact email
- nursing@wku.edu
- Website
- wku.edu · wku.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit WKU School of Nursing and Allied Health and open the program track you are pursuing (BSN, ASN, RN-to-BSN, MEPN, or graduate).
- Download the pre-nursing curriculum PDF and compare prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Register for the HESI Nursing Entrance Exam through WKU’s RegisterBlast site if you are applying to the Traditional BSN; scores are required before the Feb. 1 / Sept. 1 deadlines.
- Email nursing@wku.edu with draft questions about clinical scheduling and Guaranteed Nursing Admission.
- Review the Kentucky Board of Nursing pass-rate PDF for the latest WKU program codes.
- For graduate applicants, open the Graduate Studies application and MSN/DNP checklists on the nursing site.
- Add calendar reminders for BSN application deadlines (Feb. 1 Fall; Sept. 1 Spring).
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Western Kentucky University offer?
WKU lists Traditional BSN, LPN-to-ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing), online RN-to-BSN, MEPN (combined BSN/MSN entry), MSN (Family NP and Psychiatric Mental Health NP), post-MSN certificates, and DNP. BSN through doctoral programs are CCNE-accredited per WKU; the LPN-to-ASN program holds ACEN Continuing Accreditation. Confirm listings on wku.edu/nursing.
What are WKU’s Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN pass rates?
Per the KBN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (2020–2024), WKU BSN (US76500200) had a 97.8% first-time pass rate in 2024 (135 of 138 testers); the trailing column shows 91.7% (418 of 456). MEPN (US76510300) shows 100.0% in the 2024 column (88 of 88); the same row’s rightmost column lists 96.6% (28 of 29). LPN-to-ASN (US76408600) had 87.1% in 2024 (101 of 116). Confirm updates with KBN.
What tuition rates apply to WKU nursing students?
Fall 2025/Spring 2026 billing lists $503/credit for Kentucky resident undergraduates, $394/credit for RN-to-BSN, $607/credit for typical graduate nursing, and $663/credit for DNP (resident). A $575/semester nursing program fee applies to BSN (586) majors in Fall and Spring. See wku.edu/billing/tuition_fees_2526.php.
Does WKU use the TEAS or HESI for Traditional BSN admission?
The Traditional BSN requires the HESI Nursing Entrance Exam (Reading, A&P, Math)—not the TEAS. You may take it once per application cycle; scores are valid one year.
When are WKU Traditional BSN application deadlines?
Fall cohort applications are due February 1; Spring cohort applications are due September 1. Materials are emailed to nursing@wku.edu with “BSN Application” in the subject line.
What is Guaranteed Nursing Admission at WKU?
GNA offers eligible first-time freshmen a guaranteed upper-division BSN seat if they meet GPA and course grade benchmarks—transfer students are not eligible. See the GNA PDF on the BSN page.
How does WKU’s MEPN differ from a standard ABSN?
MEPN is a combined undergraduate/graduate design for non-nursing bachelor’s graduates that includes MSN coursework concurrent with pre-licensure nursing; admission requires a HESI comprehensive score of 80 or higher and a 3.0 GPA.
Where are WKU nursing offices located?
BSN, MEPN, MSN, and DNP offices are in the Medical Center/WKU Health Sciences Complex, 250 Park Street, suite 2055. The LPN-to-ASN office is on South Campus at 2355 Nashville Road.
References
- Western Kentucky University — School of Nursing and Allied Healthwku.edu/nursing
- WKU — Traditional BSN (HESI, deadlines, program fee)wku.edu/nursing/bsn
- WKU — Tuition & Fees Fall 2025 / Spring 2026wku.edu/billing/tuition_fees_2526.php
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF)kbn.ky.gov (Pass Rates PDF)
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Benchmarks overviewkbn.ky.gov/Education/Pages/kentucky-program-of-nursing-benchmarks.aspx
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — homekbn.ky.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX figures against the Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF, tuition against WKU’s Fall 2025/Spring 2026 billing schedule, and program alignment with the WKU catalog and School of Nursing site.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy