Salisbury University School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Salisbury University’s School of Nursing runs pre-licensure BSN tracks (traditional and accelerated second degree), RN-to-BSN completion, CCNE-accredited MSN and DNP programs with distance-accessible coursework, and post-graduate APRN certificates. NCLEX discussion below pairs the School’s published five-year baccalaureate average with Maryland Board of Nursing fiscal-year PDFs; tuition cites Salisbury’s official 2025–2026 cost of attendance and cashier schedules.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Salisbury’s Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center supports nursing skills and scenario training, while small clinical groups (often eight or fewer students for direct care, per the School) keep faculty close at hand on the Eastern Shore. Use the cited cost-of-attendance tables for budgeting, the nursing major page for the published NCLEX trend, and Maryland Board RN PDFs when you need fiscal-year, program-level testing counts.
Overview & Why Students Choose Salisbury Nursing
Salisbury University is a public master’s university in the University System of Maryland with a School of Nursing that spans pre-licensure BSN pathways, RN-to-BSN completion, and graduate nursing through the MSN and DNP. Official pages emphasize CCNE accreditation for the maximum period, a Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center opened in 2011, and a Student Nurses Association recognized nationally for community service.
Pre-licensure students apply to upper-division nursing through NursingCAS after university admission; the catalog describes competitive review using cumulative GPA, a scored entrance assessment exam, and the overall record. Second-degree applicants follow a 16-month accelerated sequence, while graduate students choose FNP, health care leadership, or nurse educator tracks—often via synchronous and asynchronous distance learning—with DNP options for post-BSN and post-MSN entry.
The Salisbury nursing major page states that SU nursing graduates have one of the highest five-year average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in Maryland for baccalaureate programs at 94.1% (2016–present). That figure is a school-reported multi-year average, not the same as a single Maryland Board of Nursing fiscal-year row—confirm current cohort statistics in MBON RN PDFs and with the School.
The School of Nursing homepage lists CCNE accreditation for BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs. Maryland Board of Nursing approval statements for BSN and APRN programs appear on the same page. Verify current status with CCNE, MBON, and SU before you apply.
Reasons students choose Salisbury
Eastern Shore clinical network
The School cites affiliations with hospitals, clinics, health departments, and mental health agencies across the region, including a trauma center it describes as award-winning and nationally recognized for health IT innovation.
Henson Medical Simulation Center
Simulation capacity supports undergraduate and graduate nursing education with dedicated space funded in part by the Henson Foundation—confirm current lab capabilities on the School of Nursing site.
Full ladder from BSN to DNP
Students can progress from pre-licensure or RN-to-BSN study into MSN concentrations and terminal DNP practice preparation, including post-baccalaureate and post-master’s entry options published on SU’s DNP pages.
Small clinical groups & faculty practice
Marketing materials highlight clinical groups typically capped around eight students for direct care and note that classroom instructors also supervise clinical practice.
Transparent public pricing context
Salisbury publishes estimated undergraduate and graduate cost-of-attendance tables for 2025–2026, including separate notes for MSN and DNP programs that use non-standard tuition—pair those figures with the Cashier’s PDF schedule.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program scope below reflects the Salisbury University School of Nursing homepage, nursing major, MSN, DNP, and DNP detail pages as reviewed March 2026. Always confirm delivery mode, prerequisites, and seat availability in the current catalog.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligible)
Traditional BSN (first bachelor’s degree)
Gated program: students apply to upper-division nursing via NursingCAS with first consideration when materials are complete by January 15 prior to a fall start. The catalog lists prerequisite science and general education courses and notes competitive decisions based on cumulative GPA plus a scored entrance assessment exam.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN; Second Degree B.S.N.)
For applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field: approximately 16 months (three semesters of full-time study) with a fall cohort. First consideration when required materials are submitted by January 15 prior to that fall, per the second-degree nursing page.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-to-BSN
Completion track for registered nurses seeking the BSN; listed alongside other BSN options on the School of Nursing undergraduate pages—confirm admission criteria and any residency or clinical requirements for your license type.
Graduate nursing
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner
FNP concentration listed on the MSN program page; coursework primarily uses synchronous and asynchronous distance learning strategies with practicum components—verify credit totals and certification eligibility in the catalog.
MSN — Health Care Leadership
Leadership/management-focused MSN concentration for RNs seeking advanced roles outside direct FNP practice; delivery mirrors other MSN tracks.
MSN — Nurse Educator
Prepares nurses for academic or staff-development educator roles with practicum and scholarly project expectations outlined in SU graduate nursing materials.
RN-to-M.S.N.
For academically qualified RNs without a prior bachelor’s degree who want an MSN in the nurse educator or health care leadership concentrations, with a 12-credit efficiency compared with separate BSN and MSN completion routes (per the MSN page).
Doctoral nursing & certificates
Doctor of Nursing Practice
CCNE-accredited DNP with post-baccalaureate and post-master’s entry; post-master’s students may choose Leadership or Family Nurse Practitioner concentrations, while post-baccalaureate students pursue BSN-to-DNP FNP preparation per SU’s DNP pages.
Post-graduate APRN certificates
The School lists a Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate of Advanced Study in the certificates catalog and describes a post-DNP FNP certificate of completion on the DNP site for DNP graduates who need additional coursework for FNP certification eligibility—confirm admission limits and eligibility with the graduate chair.
Salisbury’s 2025–2026 cost of attendance notes that MSN and DNP programs use non-standard tuition and fees. Use the Tuition & Fee Schedule PDF for program-specific rates in addition to the graduate COA table.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Salisbury publicly highlights a multi-year, school-reported NCLEX-RN trend for baccalaureate graduates on its nursing major page. For single-year, program-level pass and fail counts, use the Maryland Board of Nursing RN licensure exam PDFs by fiscal year—methodology and cohort windows differ from a rolling five-year average, so figures will not match exactly.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Five-year average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (baccalaureate, school-reported) | 94.1% (described as 2016–present on the Salisbury nursing major page at last review) |
| Maryland Board of Nursing (program-level FY tables) | Open the RN PDF links (for example FY 2024 or FY 2025) on the MBON education NCLEX statistics page and locate Salisbury University program rows for official testing counts. |
| Source | Salisbury University — Nursing major; Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass/fail rates by program. Confirm current data with the Board and the School of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting window. Always corroborate the newest disclosures on Salisbury’s site with the latest MBON FY PDF relevant to your planned graduation year.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Salisbury admits international students at the university level, but nursing programs add clinical, immunization, background-check, and licensure steps governed by both the School and the Maryland Board of Nursing. Pair SU’s international-student requirements with Board rules for NCLEX eligibility and endorsement.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other accepted tests and minimum scores with Salisbury Admissions / International Student Services for your pathway.
- Credential evaluation: Order transcript evaluations from agencies Salisbury recognizes if your prior coursework was completed outside the United States.
- Clinical clearance & visas: Nursing clinical agencies may require additional screenings; F-1 students must confirm that program sequencing and CPT/OPT policies support required practicum hours.
- Maryland Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses should review the Board’s current instructions for licensure by examination or endorsement before assuming NCLEX eligibility.
This section is guidance, not legal advice. Double-check every point with Salisbury’s admissions, international office, and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN students must be admitted to Salisbury University, complete prerequisite coursework, then compete for upper-division nursing seats through NursingCAS. Second-degree and graduate applicants follow separate checklists published on the School of Nursing site and in the catalog.
Application timeline
| Applicant type | Deadlines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (upper division) | NursingCAS application due January 15 of the year you plan to begin fall nursing courses (first consideration when materials are complete) | See Traditional B.S.N. and the catalog nursing program for prerequisites and review criteria. |
| Second Degree BSN | First consideration when materials are complete by January 15 prior to the fall accelerated start | Review Second Degree B.S.N. and associated FAQ PDF. |
| MSN (all tracks) | Fall priority March 1; fall final May 1 (all materials submitted) | Published on the MSN page—confirm each cycle. |
| DNP | Follow graduate nursing information sessions and DNP admissions pages for current term deadlines | Use DNP overview plus Apply instructions. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific %) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisites & grades (Traditional BSN) | Catalog lists required biology, chemistry, HLSC, and psychology courses with no more than one prerequisite grade below C (HLSC 301 must be C or better). Competitive review uses cumulative GPA plus entrance assessment exam score. |
| Entrance / assessment exam | Catalog cites a scored assessment exam for upper-division admission—confirm the current exam name (for example ATI TEAS if applicable), minimums, and submission steps in NursingCAS and the School of Nursing handbook. |
| Second-degree requirements | Requires a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution; additional prerequisites outlined on the second-degree page. |
Because pathways differ (pre-licensure BSN vs. RN-to-BSN vs. MSN/DNP), align your personal statement, resume, and references with the competencies each track emphasizes—clinical readiness for pre-licensure applicants and leadership, education, or advanced practice goals for graduate entrants.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Salisbury’s Financial Aid Office publishes estimated 2025–2026 cost-of-attendance budgets for full-time undergraduates living on campus and for graduate students enrolled at defined credit loads. Nursing students should also budget for uniforms, clinical supplies, travel to practicum sites, immunizations, and background checks. MSN and DNP students must consult the non-standard tuition lines in the Cashier’s PDF.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition & mandatory fees (full-time, 12+ credits per semester, AY 2025–2026) | $11,306 per year Maryland resident; $22,810 out-of-state (direct cost component before housing/food on COA table) |
| Estimated total COA (on-campus undergrad, AY 2025–2026) | $30,996 Maryland resident; $42,500 out-of-state (includes housing, food, books, personal expenses per SU table) |
| Graduate tuition & fees (per credit, standard table) | Tuition $445 / mandatory fees $129 per credit Maryland resident; $805 tuition + $129 fees non-resident (9 credits/semester COA example) |
| MSN & DNP | Listed under “Graduate Programs with Non-Standard Tuition and Fees”—use the Tuition & Fee Schedule PDF (2025–2026) for exact program rates. |
| Source | Salisbury University — 2025–2026 Cost of Attendance; Tuition & Fee Schedules. Confirm amounts with the Cashier’s Office. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Salisbury’s public materials emphasize NCLEX-RN performance for undergraduates and certification success for DNP/FNP graduates. This page cites only figures explicitly published on SU pages at review time; for employment percentages or salary data, request the School’s latest outcomes survey or career services disclosures so you can see methodology and cohort years.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, school-reported trend) | 94.1% five-year average first-time pass rate for baccalaureate programs (2016–present)—Salisbury nursing major page |
| Advanced practice certification context | DNP program materials reference strong FNP certification outcomes historically; confirm the latest cohort data on SU graduate outcome disclosures. |
| Alumni employers (examples from MSN page) | Salisbury lists hires at employers such as Peninsula Regional Medical Center (Salisbury, MD), Atlantic General Hospital (Berlin, MD), Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia—examples only, not a complete placement list. |
| Source | SU nursing major; SU MSN; SU DNP; Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics. |
Is Salisbury University Nursing Right for You?
Salisbury fits students who want a public University System of Maryland campus on the Eastern Shore with CCNE-accredited pathways from pre-licensure BSN through DNP and a School of Nursing that highlights simulation, small clinical groups, and regional hospital partnerships.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want Traditional or accelerated second-degree BSN options with NursingCAS-based upper-division admission.
- Prefer graduate nursing coursework delivered largely online with synchronous and asynchronous components.
- Value faculty-supervised clinical groups capped near eight students for direct patient care experiences.
- Plan to stay in the Delmarva/Mid-Atlantic corridor for clinical networking.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully on-campus graduate program without distance-learning components.
- Expect guaranteed admission to upper-division nursing solely from university acceptance—Salisbury’s traditional track remains competitive.
- Prefer a large urban campus inside the Baltimore–Washington metro rather than a coastal college town setting.
- Cannot travel to regional clinical sites throughout the Eastern Shore and nearby states.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Delmarva Peninsula mixes community hospitals, regional referral centers, public health departments, behavioral health programs, and long-term care partners. Salisbury University highlights affiliations that include an award-winning regional trauma center (described on the School of Nursing site) plus broader Mid-Atlantic employers cited on graduate program pages.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional acute care | Examples referenced by SU include Peninsula Regional Medical Center (Salisbury) and Atlantic General Hospital (Berlin)—confirm current contracts. |
| Cross-border & metro exposure | Graduate materials also name employers such as Nanticoke Memorial Hospital (Seaford, DE), Christiana Care, Johns Hopkins, and University of Maryland Medical Center—illustrating optional career pathways rather than guaranteeing specific clinical sites. |
| Placement verification | Clinical contracts change; request the official affiliation list from the School of Nursing clinical placement office each year. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Richard A. Henson Medical Simulation Center supports nursing skills development with dedicated simulation space on campus. The Student Nurses’ Association and Sigma Theta Tau International (where eligible) provide leadership, service, and networking; the School also promotes study-abroad nursing opportunities referenced on its website.
Salisbury’s campus sits near the Chesapeake Bay, offering a college-town environment with access to Ocean City beaches about 30 miles away, while Baltimore, Wilmington, and Washington, DC, remain drivable for weekend clinical shadowing or specialty rotations when permitted. Confirm active student organizations annually through the School of Nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- School
- Salisbury University School of Nursing (College of Health & Human Services)
- Campus address
- 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801, US
- Main university phone
- (410) 543-6000
- Graduate programs
- Administrative assistant (410) 543-6420 · Graduate chair contact listed on DNP page (410) 546-4380
- Website
- salisbury.edu — School of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the School of Nursing homepage and download the student handbook for your pathway.
- Create a NursingCAS account if you are targeting the Traditional or second-degree BSN entry terms.
- Map prerequisite courses from the catalog against your transcripts.
- Register for the entrance/assessment exam once you confirm the exact test required for your application year.
- Bookmark the Maryland Board RN NCLEX PDF for the fiscal year aligned with your planned graduation.
- Run Salisbury’s net price calculator and review the 2025–2026 COA table for your residency status.
- Attend a School of Nursing information session (graduate sessions are advertised on MSN/DNP pages).
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN outcome does Salisbury University publish for baccalaureate nursing?
The nursing major page cites a 94.1 percent five-year average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for baccalaureate programs (2016–present, school-reported). For fiscal-year program-level counts, use Maryland Board of Nursing RN PDFs and confirm definitions with the Board and SU.
Is Salisbury’s School of Nursing CCNE-accredited?
The School of Nursing homepage states CCNE accreditation for the BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, with the most recent accreditation for the maximum period. Verify the current listing on CCNE’s directory.
Does Salisbury offer an accelerated second-degree BSN?
Yes. The Second Degree B.S.N. page describes a roughly 16-month, three-semester accelerated sequence for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field, with fall starts and January 15 first consideration for complete applications.
How do I apply to Salisbury’s traditional pre-licensure BSN?
After university admission and prerequisite coursework, submit NursingCAS materials by January 15 for fall upper-division entry. The catalog notes competitive review based on cumulative GPA, entrance assessment exam performance, and your academic record—confirm the current exam and any essay requirements in NursingCAS.
What are Salisbury’s 2025–2026 undergraduate tuition and COA figures?
The cost-of-attendance page lists tuition and mandatory fees of $11,306 per year for Maryland residents and $22,810 for out-of-state students (full-time undergraduates), with total estimated COA $30,996 in-state and $42,500 out-of-state including housing, food, and allowances.
Which MSN concentrations does Salisbury offer?
The MSN page lists Family Nurse Practitioner, Health Care Leadership, and Nurse Educator tracks, plus an RN-to-M.S.N. option for RNs without a prior bachelor’s degree in the educator or leadership concentrations.
What DNP options exist at Salisbury University?
DNP materials describe post-baccalaureate entry toward FNP preparation and post-master’s DNP concentrations in Leadership or FNP. A post-DNP FNP certificate is described for DNP graduates who need additional coursework for certification eligibility.
Where should I verify Maryland’s official NCLEX statistics?
Use the Maryland Board of Nursing education NCLEX statistics page, which links to RN PDFs by fiscal year; locate Salisbury University’s approved programs in the file that matches your cohort year.
References
- Salisbury University — School of Nursinghttps://www.salisbury.edu/academic-offices/health-and-human-services/nursing/
- Salisbury University — Nursing major (undergraduate)https://www.salisbury.edu/explore-academics/programs/undergraduate-degree-programs/majors/nursing.aspx
- Salisbury University — Traditional B.S.N. admissionshttps://www.salisbury.edu/academic-offices/health-and-human-services/nursing/first-bachelors.aspx
- Salisbury University — Second Degree B.S.N.https://www.salisbury.edu/academic-offices/health-and-human-services/nursing/second-bachelors.aspx
- Salisbury University — Master of Science in Nursinghttps://www.salisbury.edu/explore-academics/programs/graduate-degree-programs/nursing-master/
- Salisbury University — Doctor of Nursing Practicehttps://www.salisbury.edu/explore-academics/programs/graduate-degree-programs/nursing-practice-doctor/
- Salisbury University — 2025–2026 cost of attendancehttps://salisbury.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/25-26-cost-of-attendance.aspx
- Salisbury University — Tuition & fee schedules (2025–2026 PDF)https://salisbury.edu/administration/administration-and-finance-offices/financial-services/accounts-receivable-cashiers-office/tuition-fee-schedules.aspx
- Salisbury University — Nursing catalog (Traditional BSN program)https://catalog.salisbury.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=13&poid=5941
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX exam pass/fail rates by programhttps://mbon.maryland.gov/Pages/education-nclex-stats.aspx
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)CCNE (AACN)
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 program names and pathways with Salisbury University School of Nursing pages, consistency of the nursing major’s NCLEX statement with the live SU site, match of tuition and COA figures to Salisbury’s 2025–2026 cost-of-attendance tables, and correct pointing readers to Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX PDFs.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, accreditation status, tuition, and policies change; always verify with Salisbury University School of Nursing and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-24 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy