Elms College School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Costs (2026)
Private Catholic college in Chicopee, Massachusetts with pre-licensure BSN, Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ABSN), LPN-BSN, online RN-BSN, plus MSN and DNP pathways. This guide cites CCNE accreditation language from Elms, 2025–2026 tuition from the college’s financial aid pages, and the school-published NCLEX-RN table for traditional and accelerated second-degree graduates; confirm the latest Board-published program pass rates with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Elms College combines the Lyons Center simulation and skills labs with a broad Western/Central Massachusetts clinical footprint (including major hospitals named on BSN materials). The School of Nursing publishes a year-by-year NCLEX table for traditional and accelerated second-degree graduates and lists CCNE-accredited pathways from pre-licensure BSN through DNP—verify every figure on the official site and with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose Elms College
Elms College (College of Our Lady of the Elms) is a private Catholic college on 291 Springfield Street in Chicopee, at the crossroads of the Pioneer Valley and minutes from Springfield and Springfield–Holyoke hospitals. The School of Nursing anchors undergraduate pre-licensure education in the Lyons Center for Natural and Health Sciences, with skills and simulation labs and clinical learning that begins in the sophomore year per BSN materials.
Unlike many small colleges that stop at the BSN, Elms publishes a full ladder: Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ABSN) for career changers, LPN-BSN, online RN-BSN, fully online MSN specialties, RN-MSN and RN-BSN-MSN bridges, and a DNP with post-graduate APRN certificates—each with its own admissions page on Elms.
Elms publishes a NCLEX pass rate table on its School of Nursing page for traditional and accelerated second-degree graduates (for example 93% in 2024 with 67 graduates; 2025 listed as pending with 71 graduates). For Board-published program statistics, use the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm cohort year, denominators, and methodology with the Board and Elms.
Reasons students choose Elms
CCNE-accredited nursing (BSN through DNP)
Elms states that baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Confirm renewal and scope on the CCNE directory and Elms site.
Named Western MA clinical sites
BSN clinical materials list placements such as Baystate Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Mercy Medical Center (THONE), the Leeds VA, schools, public health, and community partners—confirm the live list each semester.
Multiple entry points
Direct-entry BSN, ABSN for second-degree students, LPN-BSN, and online RN-BSN let applicants match prior education and licensure to the right track.
Graduate nursing depth
Online MSNs (including MSN/MBA), DNP, and certificates support nurses advancing into education, leadership, and APRN roles without leaving the Elms ecosystem.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program names below match the Elms College School of Nursing program menu and linked pages. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) at Elms is the official Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN pathway)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Four-year BSN integrating liberal arts and nursing major coursework; Elms describes clinical learning from sophomore year and lists extensive Western Massachusetts placement examples on the BSN page.
Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ABSN)
For applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. NCLEX outcome tables on the School of Nursing page combine traditional and accelerated second-degree cohorts with reported graduate counts.
LPN-BSN
Pathway for licensed practical nurses to progress toward RN licensure and the BSN per Elms bachelor’s nursing listings.
Post-licensure (RN licensure required)
RN to BSN (Online)
Degree completion for licensed RNs; Elms highlights flexible scheduling for working nurses on the RN-BSN page.
Graduate (MSN, DNP, certificates)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Elms lists fully online MSN tracks including Nursing and Health Services Management, Nursing Education, School Nursing, and MSN/MBA. RN-MSN and RN-BSN-MSN require some on-campus classroom components per the MSN hub.
MSN graduate certificates
Post-baccalaureate certificate options in management, education, and school nursing—described as fully online on Elms.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
DNP and post-graduate APRN certificate programs for advanced practice roles; Elms publishes separate DNP pages and certification exam outcome statements.
Verify prerequisites, immunizations, CORI/SORI, and progression rules (for example C+ minimums in nursing courses on the BSN page) in the official BSN materials and college catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the NCLEX pass rate table on the Elms College School of Nursing page (for traditional students & accelerated second degree), the most recent completed cohorts include: 2024 — 67 graduates, 93% pass rate; 2023 — 75 graduates, 97.33%; 2025 — 71 graduates, rate pending at the time that table was published. These figures are school-reported on Elms’s site, not a substitute for the Massachusetts Board’s official program reports.
For regulatory verification and historical Board-published statistics, see the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing nursing education compliance resources and the Board’s NCLEX-related publications.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (school table, pre-licensure cohorts) | 93% (2024; 67 graduates per Elms School of Nursing page) |
| Prior year (context) | 97.33% (2023; 75 graduates per same Elms table) |
| Source (primary citation on this page) | Elms College — School of Nursing (NCLEX table on page) |
| Source (Board verification) | Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. Confirm current first-time pass rates, reporting period, and cohort definitions with the Board and Elms. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and Elms College.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Elms maintains an international admission process; requirements may differ for undergraduate, online, and graduate nursing tracks. Internationally educated nurses must also satisfy Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing documentation rules for NCLEX eligibility or endorsement. This checklist is guidance only—confirm details with Elms and the Board.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other thresholds published by Elms international admission.
- Transcript evaluation: Course-by-course evaluations (e.g., WES or other evaluators) if required for admission or licensure.
- Massachusetts Board of Nursing: Steps for foreign-educated applicants pursuing Massachusetts RN licensure, including any CGFNS or visa screening requirements.
- Clinical placement & visas: F-1 students must confirm that program sequencing and clinical contracts align with visa rules; online programs may have different residency expectations.
Policies change frequently. This section is not legal advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-licensure BSN: Applicants use Elms undergraduate admission pathways. The BSN page notes a test-optional application process for the college; nursing majors must still meet course progression standards (for example 77% (C+) minimums on objective exams in nursing courses and 2.5 GPA to advance, with dismissal rules after repeated failures—see the BSN page for full policy text).
ABSN, LPN-BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, DNP: Each track has its own page on the School of Nursing apply page. Graduate applicants work with grad@elms.edu and (413) 265-2456 per Elms MSN materials.
Application deadlines
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate & MSN | Elms states undergraduate and MSN applications are accepted on a rolling basis; other programs may have specific dates—see each program page. |
| RN-BSN & graduate | Confirm term starts and document deadlines on the RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP pages. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| TEAS / HESI | Not highlighted on the Elms BSN page excerpt used for this guide; confirm whether any exam is required for progression with the School of Nursing |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed—confirm academic expectations with Elms nursing admissions |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Elms’s Undergraduate Tuition & Financial Aid page publishes 2025–2026 tuition and fees tables, including a downloadable PDF. The page notes that nursing majors may incur additional lab or clinical fees. Estimated BSN and Accelerated BSN program fees (including ATI) appear in the same-year tables. Graduate students should use the Graduate Tuition page and the DNP tuition link.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (2025–2026) | $42,540 per year (resident and commuter tuition line on Elms undergraduate tuition table; room, board, fees, and nursing program add-ons separate) |
| Example total (resident) | Elms lists a resident line-item total of $60,707 including tuition, room, board, fees, orientation, and first-year seminar—confirm your scenario on the live page. |
| MSN (2025–2026) | $966 per credit plus $110 per-semester fees (Elms graduate tuition table); comprehensive fee and MBA/MSN dual lines differ—see PDF. |
| Accelerated nursing scholarships | Elms financial aid pages describe $8,000–$10,000 per academic year awards for strong accelerated nursing applicants—confirm eligibility with financial aid. |
| Source | Elms College — Undergraduate Tuition; Graduate Tuition. Confirm amounts with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
For NCLEX-RN, this page cites Elms’s school-published table on the School of Nursing page (see NCLEX section). For regulatory verification, compare against Massachusetts Board-published program statistics when available.
APRN certification exams: Elms publishes DNP national certification pass rates for FNP and AGACNP tracks on the School of Nursing page—those are graduate-level exams, distinct from NCLEX-RN. Confirm cohort years and methodology.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (school table) | 93% (2024; 67 graduates per Elms School of Nursing page) |
| Prior year (context) | 97.33% (2023; 75 graduates) |
| Sources | Elms College School of Nursing; Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing |
Is Elms College the Right Fit for You?
Elms fits students who want a private Catholic college in the Pioneer Valley, a CCNE-accredited nursing ladder from pre-licensure BSN through DNP, and a clinical footprint that includes major Western Massachusetts hospitals named on BSN materials.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want traditional BSN, ABSN, or LPN-BSN options plus online RN-BSN in the same institution.
- Value simulation labs in the Lyons Center and a broad list of community and acute clinical sites.
- Plan to stay in Massachusetts or New England and build networks through Baystate and regional employers.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest possible tuition—compare Elms net price after aid with MA public universities and community colleges.
- Require a fully online pre-licensure program—Elms pre-licensure BSN is campus-based.
- Prefer a large research university medical center embedded in the same institution—Elms partners with regional systems but is a small college.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Chicopee sits in the Springfield metropolitan area, with Baystate Health as a major employer and teaching hospital network. Elms BSN “common clinical placements” include Baystate Medical Center, Baystate Noble and Wing hospitals, Berkshire Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Mercy Medical Center (THONE), the Leeds VA, schools, public health departments, behavioral health, and community agencies.
Massachusetts continues to recruit RNs across acute care, ambulatory clinics, behavioral health, and home-based services—useful context for clinical networking and post-licensure employment after NCLEX-RN.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Baystate Health (incl. Baystate Medical Center) | Named on Elms BSN common clinical placements list |
| Berkshire Medical Center · Cooley Dickinson | Listed acute-care examples for Elms students |
| Mercy Medical Center (THONE) · Leeds VA | Also listed on Elms BSN clinical placement examples |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Elms emphasizes the Lyons Center for Natural and Health Sciences for nursing skills and simulation labs tied to the School of Nursing. The college promotes Division III athletics, campus ministry, and service opportunities aligned with the Sisters of Saint Joseph tradition.
Online RN-BSN and MSN students complete most coursework remotely but remain part of Elms—confirm any required residency days for RN-MSN or RN-BSN-MSN bridge components on the MSN pages.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Chicopee, MA
- Address
- 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013-2839, US
- Main
- (413) 594-2761
- Admission
- (413) 592-3189 · admissions@elms.edu
- School of Nursing
- (413) 265-2409 · alaimoa@elms.edu
- Website
- elms.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the School of Nursing and download the current catalog or handbook for your pathway.
- Review BSN immunization, CORI/SORI, and drug screening requirements on the pre-licensure BSN page.
- Compare your transcripts to prerequisite science and core requirements in the nursing curriculum table.
- Open the 2025–2026 tuition PDF and email Student Accounts for nursing fee lines.
- File FAFSA with Elms federal school code 002140 (confirm annually).
- If you are an RN, read the RN-BSN page for pacing and advising.
- Check Massachusetts Board publications for program-level NCLEX statistics to complement Elms’s table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Elms College School of Nursing offer?
Elms lists BSN, Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing (ABSN), LPN-BSN, online RN-BSN, MSN tracks (including MSN/MBA), RN-MSN and RN-BSN-MSN, MSN certificates, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificates on elms.edu/school-of-nursing.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Elms College pre-licensure graduates?
Elms publishes a table on its School of Nursing page for traditional and accelerated second-degree graduates—for example 93% in 2024 (67 graduates) and 97.33% in 2023 (75 graduates). Confirm the latest Board-published rate with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
How much is undergraduate tuition at Elms for 2025–2026?
Elms lists $42,540 annual undergraduate tuition for 2025–2026 on its Undergraduate Tuition page, with separate lines for room, board, fees, and nursing program estimates.
Is Elms nursing accredited by CCNE?
Elms states that baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Confirm on the Elms site and CCNE directory.
Does Elms offer an accelerated BSN?
Yes. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) at Elms is the Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
Where do Elms BSN students complete clinical rotations?
Elms lists examples including Baystate Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Mercy Medical Center (THONE), the Leeds VA, schools, public health, and community partners—confirm the current roster with the program.
What is the MSN tuition rate at Elms?
Elms graduate tuition lists $966 per credit for MSN programs for 2025–2026 plus per-semester fees; DNP has separate DNP tuition documentation.
What should internationally educated nurses check before applying to Elms?
Verify English proficiency, evaluations, visa eligibility, Massachusetts Board of Nursing licensure steps, and clinical requirements with Elms international admission and the Board.
Who do I contact at Elms about nursing?
(413) 265-2409 and alaimoa@elms.edu for School of Nursing administration; (413) 592-3189 and admissions@elms.edu for undergraduate admission; grad@elms.edu for graduate nursing.
References
- Elms College — School of Nursingelms.edu/school-of-nursing
- Elms College — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)elms.edu/…/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing
- Elms College — Undergraduate Tuition (2025–2026)elms.edu/financial-aid/undergraduate
- Elms College — Graduate Tuitionelms.edu/financial-aid/graduate
- Elms College — Contactelms.edu/contact
- Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursingmass.gov/orgs/board-of-registration-in-nursing
- Mass.gov — Nursing education programs (compliance & reports)mass.gov/guides/nursing-education-programs-compliance
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)aacnnursing.org/CCNE
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
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 with Elms College School of Nursing pages, 2025–2026 tuition tables, CCNE accreditation statements, and Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing resources.
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 Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy