Baton Rouge Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
LCTCS community college in Louisiana’s capital: pre-licensure Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) at Mid City, Practical Nursing (technical diploma) at the Acadian site, plus an LPN-to-RN track. This guide uses BRCC’s catalog, Bursar tuition tables, IRPA licensure exam outcomes, and Louisiana board references—confirm every figure for your entry term.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
BRCC was the first public institution in Baton Rouge to offer the ASN and remains a major pipeline for RNs and LPNs serving the Capital Region. Pair affordable LCTCS tuition with selective nursing admission, documented NCLEX outcomes on the IRPA page, and clinical training tied to major Baton Rouge health systems.
Overview & Why Students Choose Baton Rouge Community College
In Baton Rouge—the state capital and hub of the Capital Region healthcare market—BRCC’s Division of Nursing & Allied Health delivers selective-admission pre-licensure pathways: a five-semester Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) for NCLEX-RN, a five-semester Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing for NCLEX-PN, and an LPN-to-RN entry option for licensed practical nurses. The college highlights that it was the first public institution in Baton Rouge to offer the ASN degree.
BRCC publishes licensure exam outcomes in its Statement of Goals for Student Achievement (IRPA), including year-by-year NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates—use those figures as school-reported snapshots, then confirm the next cohort with BRCC and the appropriate Louisiana board.
Per BRCC’s IRPA table, NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates were 83.4% in 2024, 94% in 2023, and 85.7% in 2022 (against an institutional goal/threshold of 85%/80%). NCLEX-PN was 78.6% in 2024 and 89% in 2023. Confirm current cohort performance with BRCC IRPA and with the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (RN) or LSBPNE (PN) as applicable.
Reasons students choose BRCC
Capital Region clinical density
Baton Rouge anchors major hospitals and specialty networks—students often rotate through high-acuity settings without leaving the metro, though specific sites vary by semester and program.
Published IRPA licensure data
BRCC lists multi-year NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates alongside institutional goals—helpful for applicants who want transparent, school-reported outcome history (always confirm the latest year).
LPN-to-RN mobility
Licensed LPNs can pursue the ASN through a defined track with TEAS, prerequisite GPA, and nursing challenge exams—see the LPN-to-RN page for current windows.
LCTCS affordability
Per-credit tuition and fee tables are published by the Bursar (example: $138.96/credit for Louisiana residents effective August 1, 2025)—compare totals in LoLA before registering.
ACEN-accredited ASN
BRCC states the ASN program holds ACEN accreditation and LSBN approval—confirm status before you enroll.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects BRCC’s Nursing (ASN) and Practical Nursing catalog entries, the Division of Nursing & Allied Health overview, and the LPN-to-RN page. BRCC does not list BSN, MSN, or DNP nursing degrees—this is a community-college pre-licensure portfolio only.
Pre-licensure (RN and LPN)
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Five-semester, 72 credit-hour program at BRCC Mid City. Graduates earn the ASN and qualify to sit for NCLEX-RN. Selective admission: 2.80+ GPA in 16 prerequisite hours (C or better) and 75+ on each section of the nursing admission exam with 75+ composite (per catalog). One application period annually in the spring. BRCC states ACEN accreditation and LSBN approval.
Technical Diploma in Practical Nursing
Five-semester, 59 credit-hour program at the Acadian site. Prepares for NCLEX-PN under the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners. Limited enrollment; entrance via ACT, Accuplacer, or TEAS composite thresholds plus pre-nursing courses at 80%+ (per BRCC Practical Nursing page).
LPN-to-RN entry (within ASN)
For Louisiana-licensed LPNs: 2.80+ GPA in expanded prerequisites, TEAS ≥ 65%, and 850+ on specified nursing challenge exams; separate fall application window (see LPN-to-RN). Credential awarded: ASN (same as direct entry).
BRCC does not award a BSN or graduate nursing degree. If a pathway or campus changes, follow the official catalog and Division of Nursing notices—not third-party directories.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
BRCC publishes first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates in its Statement of Goals for Student Achievement (IRPA). For 2024, the table shows an 83.4% actual NCLEX-RN rate versus an 85% goal (80% threshold); for 2023 it lists 94%. These are school-reported aggregates—confirm cohort definitions and methodology on the IRPA page.
For board-level verification, use the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (RN) and LSBPNE (PN) publications. This page does not substitute LSBN’s detailed school-by-school tables when you need official regulatory reporting.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BRCC-reported) | 83.4% (2024), 94% (2023), 85.7% (2022) per IRPA table |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (BRCC-reported) | 78.6% (2024), 89% (2023) per IRPA table |
| Source | BRCC — Statement of Goals for Student Achievement (IRPA); LSBN; LSBPNE. Confirm current cohorts with BRCC and the boards. |
Pass rates change by cohort and program (ASN vs. PN). Always confirm the latest outcomes with BRCC IRPA and the Louisiana nursing boards.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
BRCC participates in the Louisiana Community and Technical College System; international applicants should follow Enrollment Services and any international-student requirements the college publishes. Nursing adds clinical clearance, background checks, and LSBN/LSBPNE rules. This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS or other scores if required for admission.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Official transcripts and any evaluator the college mandates.
- Louisiana boards: LSBN (RN) or LSBPNE (PN) for licensure and exam eligibility.
- Immigration & visa: Pre-licensure nursing requires in-person labs and clinicals—confirm F-1 or other status with the college and an immigration advisor.
Verify policies with BRCC Enrollment Services, the Division of Nursing & Allied Health, and the relevant board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
BRCC nursing pathways are selective—college admission alone does not place you in clinical nursing courses. The 2025–2026 ASN catalog lists prerequisites, GPA rules, and the nursing admission exam; the Practical Nursing page lists entrance tests and pre-nursing courses; the LPN-to-RN page lists TEAS and challenge-exam rules. Meeting minimums does not guarantee selection.
Application timeline (check official BRCC materials)
| Program | Pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ASN (traditional) | Application once per year during spring semester; packet on BRCC website | Confirm exact open/close dates each year. |
| LPN-to-RN | Example cycle posted: application Nov. 2–30, 2026 (per LPN-to-RN page when reviewed) | Prerequisites must be complete by stated summer deadline. |
| Practical Nursing | New class each fall; return to BRCC PN page for application posting | Pre-nursing courses require minimum grades (80%+). |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (ASN prerequisites) | 2.80 in 16 prerequisite credit hours, C or better (catalog) |
| Nursing admission exam (ASN) | 75+ each section and 75+ composite (catalog); confirm test name with the Division of Nursing |
| TEAS (LPN-to-RN) | ≥ 65%; ATI scores from other colleges within 3 years; one attempt per cycle (LPN-to-RN page) |
| Practical Nursing tests | ACT, Accuplacer, or TEAS composite 55—see BRCC PN page for sub-scores |
Honest tip: Complete LSBN clinical enrollment and background-check steps early—BRCC cites board requirements in the catalog for ASN applicants.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from BRCC’s tuition schedule and Bursar overview (LCTCS mandatory and student fees). Nursing students pay the same tuition and fee structure as other academic programs unless a course-specific fee applies—confirm your statement in LoLA.
| Category | Published amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition — Louisiana resident (eff. 08/01/2025) | $138.96 per credit hour (flat for in-person or online per BRCC schedule intro) |
| Example semester total — campus, 12 credits (resident) | $2,209.52 combined tuition + mandatory + SGA/athletic lines on the “Effective 08/01/2025 – Resident / Online” table |
| Campus Ground Access & Maintenance | $50 per semester (flat; also described on Bursar page) |
| Non-resident / other bands | See non-resident rows on the same BRCC fee schedule—rates differ by residency. |
| Books, housing, transportation | Not itemized on the tuition page—budget separately or use BRCC financial aid estimates. |
| Source | BRCC Tuition Schedule (fees-brcc.php); Financial Aid (FAFSA school code 037303) |
For program length context: ASN is 72 credits and Practical Nursing is 59 credits before any developmental coursework—multiply per-credit charges only as a rough planning tool; your bill depends on actual registration, fees, and pace.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use BRCC’s IRPA licensure table for planning, then confirm employment or salary claims only when the school publishes a methodology and year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (school-reported) | 83.4% (2024), 94% (2023), 85.7% (2022) per IRPA |
| NCLEX-PN (school-reported) | 78.6% (2024), 89% (2023) per IRPA |
| Job placement / salary | Not broken out on the IRPA page reviewed for this guide—ask BRCC for nursing-specific outcomes reports if available. |
| Source | BRCC IRPA — Statement of Goals for Student Achievement. Confirm current data with BRCC and Louisiana boards. |
Is Baton Rouge Community College the Right Fit for You?
BRCC fits students who want an affordable LCTCS pathway into RN or LPN practice, can meet selective admission and clinical compliance rules, and plan to work in the Capital Region or broader Louisiana. It is not a university-level BSN or MSN program—plan to transfer if you need a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want documented BRCC IRPA pass-rate history alongside ACEN/LSBN oversight for the ASN.
- Prefer staying in Baton Rouge for coursework (Mid City ASN; Acadian PN).
- Are licensed LPNs seeking an ASN through the TEAS/challenge-exam pathway.
- Need transparent per-credit tuition tables for budgeting.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect an immediate BSN without transferring—BRCC awards ASN or PN diploma only.
- Cannot attend in-person labs and clinicals on the schedule the program requires.
- Need guaranteed admission after meeting minimum GPA/test scores—BRCC states ASN admission is competitive.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Baton Rouge anchors Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Baton Rouge General, Woman’s Hospital, Ochsner Health facilities, and numerous post-acute and community clinics across the eight-parish Capital Region. Demand for bedside nurses, procedural units, and community health roles remains tied to an aging population and referral patterns from surrounding parishes.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute care | Major hospitals provide med-surg, ICU, ED, and women’s health volume—common rotation categories for ADN/PN students (assignments vary). |
| Ambulatory & community | Clinics and long-term care support primary-care and chronic-disease competencies aligned with PN emphasis on geriatrics. |
| Next step | Ask BRCC’s Division of Nursing for the current clinical agency list for your pathway—sites change with contracts. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
ASN students attend the Mid City campus; Practical Nursing is based at the Acadian site—plan commuting and parking accordingly. BRCC emphasizes skills and simulation within the nursing curriculum; student life also includes broader college athletics and organizations, though nursing progression rules will limit work hours for many cohorts.
General visits and enrollment questions flow through Recruitment; nursing-specific questions go to the Division of Nursing & Allied Health.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Division of Nursing & Allied Health
- Baton Rouge Community College (LSBN-listed program site)
- Address
- 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, US
- General college phone
- 1-866-217-9823 (per BRCC Contact page)
- Nursing (LSBN directory)
- (225) 216-8047 — confirm current division line on LSBN approved programs or BRCC site
- Website
- mybrcc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the ASN catalog entry and list prerequisites you still need.
- If pursuing LPN-to-RN, review TEAS and challenge-exam rules and register through ATI.
- Open BRCC’s tuition table and model one semester at your expected credit load.
- Bookmark IRPA pass-rate data for NCLEX planning.
- Complete FAFSA using BRCC school code 037303 if you will use federal aid.
- Scan LSBN education pages for clinical-student requirements.
- Email advisingservices@mybrcc.edu or call the college for registration holds and advising.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Baton Rouge Community College offer?
BRCC lists an ASN (RN, NCLEX-RN) at Mid City, a Practical Nursing technical diploma (NCLEX-PN) at the Acadian site, and an LPN-to-RN track—see the Division of Nursing & Allied Health and catalog.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for BRCC (recent years)?
BRCC’s IRPA table shows 83.4% in 2024, 94% in 2023, and 85.7% in 2022—school-reported first-time pass rates. Confirm the latest cohort with BRCC IRPA and the LSBN.
What is BRCC’s Practical Nursing NCLEX-PN pass rate?
IRPA lists 78.6% (2024) and 89% (2023) for NCLEX-PN—confirm methodology with BRCC and LSBPNE.
How much is tuition at Baton Rouge Community College?
The Bursar schedule lists $138.96/credit for Louisiana residents effective August 1, 2025, plus mandatory and student fees; example 12-credit campus total $2,209.52 on the same page.
What GPA does BRCC’s ASN program require?
The catalog requires 2.80+ GPA in 16 prerequisite hours with grades of C or better, plus nursing admission exam scores of 75+ per section and composite—meeting minimums does not guarantee admission.
Does BRCC LPN-to-RN use TEAS?
Yes—the LPN-to-RN page specifies TEAS ≥ 65%, ATI score portability rules, prerequisite GPA, and challenge exams—read the current posting for application dates.
Is BRCC’s ASN accredited?
BRCC states ACEN accreditation and LSBN approval for the ASN. Confirm status before you enroll.
Does BRCC offer a BSN degree?
No—BRCC awards an ASN or Practical Nursing diploma. Plan transfer partnerships separately if you need a BSN.
Where is BRCC nursing located?
ASN at Mid City; Practical Nursing at the Acadian site. LSBN lists the division at 201 Community College Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.
References
- Baton Rouge Community College — Nursing & Allied Healthhttps://mybrcc.edu/academics/nursing-and-allied-health/index.php
- BRCC Catalog — Nursing (ASN)catalog.mybrcc.edu — Nursing (ASN)
- BRCC Catalog — Practical Nursingcatalog.mybrcc.edu — Practical Nursing
- BRCC — LPN to RN Entry Trackhttps://www.mybrcc.edu/academics/nursing-and-allied-health/lpntorn.php
- BRCC — Tuition Schedule (fees-brcc.php)https://www.mybrcc.edu/tuition-fees/fees-brcc.php
- BRCC — Statement of Goals for Student Achievement (IRPA)https://www.mybrcc.edu/about-brcc/irpa/sap.php
- Louisiana State Board of Nursing — Approved programs / educationhttps://www.lsbn.state.la.us/schools
- Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examinershttps://www.lsbpne.com/
- 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 alignment of NCLEX figures with BRCC’s IRPA student-achievement tables, tuition lines with the BRCC Bursar schedule, and program scope with the BRCC catalog and Division of Nursing pages.
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 Louisiana State Board of Nursing (and LSBPNE for practical nursing) as applicable.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy