Rochester Community and Technical College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
A Minnesota State community college in Rochester—home to Mayo Clinic—where students can ladder from nursing assistant coursework into a Practical Nursing diploma or a 64-credit Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program that awards an Associate of Science (AS) and eligibility for NCLEX-RN. Admissions rank generic ADN applicants with HSRT scores and science GPA; confirm every deadline, test session, and tuition line item on the official RCTC nursing pages and with the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
RCTC sits in Minnesota’s largest medical hub, so nursing students often rotate through world-class hospitals while paying Minnesota State tuition. Pair the college’s published HSRT + science GPA ranking model with Minnesota Board NCLEX tables when you compare cohort outcomes—then budget extra for the nursing programmatic differential that stacks on top of the general per-credit estimate.
Overview & Why Students Choose Rochester Community and Technical College
Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) is a public Minnesota State college in Rochester, Minnesota, where Mayo Clinic and regional health systems anchor one of the Upper Midwest’s densest clinical labor markets. The nursing department runs a 39-credit Practical Nursing diploma, a 64-credit Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program with generic and LPN mobility tracks, and stackable Advanced Hospital Nursing Assistant coursework that helps applicants meet CNA-active prerequisites.
RCTC awards an Associate of Science (AS) in nursing for ADN graduates; we use ADN throughout as the common label for that pre-licensure associate pathway leading to NCLEX-RN. Unlike some Minnesota State colleges, RCTC’s generic ADN admission page emphasizes Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) scoring paired with a raw science GPA—not the TEAS—so download the current admission PDF before you build a study plan.
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing’s associate-degree NCLEX-RN table (2022–2025), RCTC’s most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 85.04% in 2025 (127 first-time candidates). The same publication shows 81.74% for all Minnesota associate-degree RN testers in 2025—use it only as a statewide snapshot from the identical report, not a prediction. RCTC republishes Board-reported calendar-year percentages on its Nursing (AD) Program Outcomes page. For NCLEX-PN, the Board’s 2022–2025 practical-nursing PDF lists RCTC at 85.00% first-time in 2025 (20 candidates), matching the college’s Practical Nursing outcomes table. Confirm newer cohorts with the Board and RCTC.
Reasons students choose Rochester Community and Technical College
Mayo-area clinical depth
Rochester’s hospital and ambulatory footprint gives ADN and PN students exposure to high-acuity, high-volume care settings that many rural programs cannot match—exact rotation sites vary by cohort contract.
PN → ADN mobility on one campus
Graduates who complete the ACEN-accredited PN diploma can return as licensed LPNs through the published PN-ADN mobility track with advanced standing, keeping licensure milestones within the same institution when that fits your plan.
ACEN continuing accreditation
Outcomes pages state continuing ACEN accreditation for both professional and practical nursing programs; verify the public ACEN record before you enroll.
Transparent Board-reported NCLEX data
RCTC posts multi-year MN Board pass rates for RN and PN testers, which makes it easier to compare cohort performance against statewide associate-degree benchmarks from the same PDF.
Minnesota State tuition mechanics
Fall 2025–Summer 2026 estimates show $220.55 per credit for tuition plus mandatory fees in the general table, while Tuition Rates explains additional programmatic differentials for nursing—helpful for splitting prerequisite vs. nursing-course budgets.
Nursing Programs Offered
RCTC’s catalog-style program list includes four nursing-related awards: an Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) with generic and LPN mobility tracks, a Practical Nursing diploma, and an Advanced Hospital Nursing Assistant certificate. The college does not grant a BSN, MSN, or DNP on this campus.
Pre-licensure — Practical Nursing (LPN)
Practical Nursing Diploma
39 credits across about 2.5 semesters with a fall start, combining theory, skills lab, and supervised clinical experiences. Graduates qualify to sit for NCLEX-PN. Admission uses HSRT scores plus cumulative college GPA from the prior five years.
Pre-licensure — Associate Degree Nursing (RN)
ADN Generic Track — Associate of Science
Four-semester option beginning each fall and spring. Applicants need one semester each of biology and chemistry, a 2.5 raw science GPA on RCTC’s specified courses (past five years), and an HSRT completed at RCTC (up to two attempts per cycle). Prior to starting nursing cores, students must show a college nursing assistant course or active CNA status, in-person BLS, and cleared background studies.
ADN LPN Mobility — Associate of Science
Three-semester advanced-placement route for Minnesota-licensed LPNs who completed the general-education requirements for ADN semester I and meet the mobility point grid (GPA, BLS, RCTC PN diploma bonus, etc.). Shares the same AS credential and NCLEX-RN outcome reporting as the generic track.
Supportive credential
Advanced Hospital Nursing Assistant
16-credit certificate that strengthens acute-care nursing assistant skills. Many RCTC PN and ADN applicants need a college NA course or active CNA registry status—confirm which NA pathway your admission letter requires.
After the AS (transfer)
RCTC does not award a BSN. Graduates typically pursue RN-to-BSN completion through other Minnesota State universities or private partners—map transfer plans early with RCTC advising and the receiving school’s nursing department.
Seat availability, prerequisite course numbers, and clinical clearance rules change. Always verify the active Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Nursing Assistant pages before you register.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Associate Degree Nursing (NCLEX-RN)
According to the Minnesota Board of Nursing education statistical data (PDF: Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-RN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Associate Degree Nursing Programs 2022–2025), Rochester Community and Technical College first-time NCLEX-RN results were:
- 2025: 85.04% (127 first-time candidates)
- 2024: 95.37% (108 candidates)
- 2023: 90.74% (108 candidates)
- 2022: 89.08% (119 candidates)
The same table lists 81.74% first-time for all Minnesota associate-degree RN candidates in 2025 (1,714 candidates)—a statewide benchmark from the identical publication. RCTC’s Nursing (AD) Program Outcomes page republishes Board-reported calendar-year percentages (for example, 90.74% labeled as 2024 in the college table aligns with the Board’s reporting cycle—always read footnotes on both sources).
Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN)
Per the Board’s Number and First-time Success Rate of NCLEX-PN Candidates Educated in Minnesota Practical Nursing Programs 2022–2025, RCTC’s first-time NCLEX-PN results were 85.00% in 2025 (20 candidates), 89.47% in 2024 (19), 85.00% in 2023 (20), and 92.31% in 2022 (26). The college mirrors those figures on its Practical Nursing Program Outcomes page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (MN BON table year 2025) | 85.04% (127 first-time associate-degree candidates) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (MN BON table year 2025) | 85.00% (20 first-time practical-nursing candidates) |
| Source | Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Data; 2022–2025 RN NCLEX PDF; 2022–2025 PN NCLEX PDF; RCTC ADN outcomes; RCTC PN outcomes. Confirm the latest cohort with the Board and the college. |
Pass rates swing by cohort size, tester eligibility, and Board publication schedules. Always confirm the newest Minnesota Board of Nursing tables and RCTC disclosures before relying on any single percentage.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses vary by institution, clinical site rules, and visa type. Use this list as a starting point and confirm every item with RCTC International Student Services / Welcome and One Stop Center (507-285-7557 per the college contact directory) and the Minnesota Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Institutional minimums for admission (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo or equivalent) if applicable.
- Transcript evaluation: Any credential evaluation required by Minnesota State or the nursing department.
- Minnesota Board of Nursing: NCLEX eligibility, background study, and endorsement rules for internationally educated applicants.
- Immigration & clinical placement: Whether F-1 students can access required clinical rotations and any employer or facility restrictions.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Policies change—verify with the college and the Board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Associate Degree Nursing (generic) uses a point-ranked model: RCTC combines your raw science GPA (2.5 minimum on specified biology/chemistry courses within five years) with an HSRT composite taken at the RCTC Testing Center (divide the composite by 10 and add it to GPA points). Up to two HSRT attempts are allowed per application cycle, and scores remain valid for two years. By program start you must show a college nursing assistant course or active CNA registry status, in-person BLS (HEALTH 1110 or equivalent—online-only CPR cards do not satisfy the rule), and cleared state/national background studies.
Practical Nursing ranks applicants with HSRT (same divide-by-10 rule) plus a cumulative college GPA ≥2.0 from the past five years, along with prerequisites such as NA 1500 or active CNA status, math/chemistry readiness, and in-person BLS before August classes. PN-ADN mobility applicants need a Minnesota LPN license, BLS, specific general-education grades, and a 2.5 GPA—points also reward RCTC’s PN diploma when applicable.
Application timeline
| Program | Entry Term | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN generic / PN-ADN mobility | Fall | Dec 1 – Mar 1 | Use the Nursing eForm linked on the application page; late submissions are not accepted. |
| ADN generic / PN-ADN mobility | Spring | Jul 1 – Sep 15 | Mobility applicants file the separate LPN mobility PDF. |
| Practical Nursing diploma | Fall | Mar 15 (8:00 a.m.) – Jun 1 (11:59 p.m.) | Includes mandatory summer orientation (RCTC posted June 25, 2–5 p.m. for the next class—confirm the year). |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Entrance exam | Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) at RCTC for ADN generic and PN; TEAS not used on the pages reviewed for this guide |
| Science GPA minimum (ADN generic) | 2.5 raw GPA on RCTC-defined biology/chemistry courses (all attempts in past five years count) |
| CNA / NA requirement | College NA course or active CNA status required before ADN/PN core start (see admission pages) |
Details and point tables: ADN Admission Requirements, ADN Application, PN Admission. HSRT registration: RCTC HSRT sign-up. Nursing advisor Jennifer Dahle: 507-280-3535 (per program pages).
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
RCTC’s Tuition and Fees page (Fall 2025, Spring 2026, Summer 2026) lists $220.55 per credit as the illustrative tuition + mandatory fee stack for Minnesota residents at the general rate. The companion Tuition Rates document shows $192.91/credit base tuition for standard in-person courses plus itemized fees ($12.00 technology, $2.00 health service, $8.28 student life, $4.75 parking/access, $0.61 student government) and notes that Nursing, Practical Nursing, Nursing Assistant, and other programs bill an additional programmatic differential within a $2.50–$300/credit range approved by the Minnesota State Board of Trustees.
Because RCTC does not publish a single consolidated “nursing credit total” on the pages reviewed for this guide, model costs by (1) summing prerequisites at the general rate, (2) adding nursing/PN/NA credits at the differential rate shown on your registration statement, and (3) layering the 2025–2026 estimated cost of attendance figures ($25,886 nine-month estimate on the Tuition and Fees page) for books, housing, transportation, and personal expenses.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| General tuition + fees (resident example) | $220.55/credit (Fall 2025–Summer 2026 table) |
| Nursing differential | Additional per-credit amount per Minnesota State approval—confirm on eServices or with the Business Office (507-280-2969) |
| Source | RCTC Tuition and Fees; RCTC Tuition Rates; Business Office. |
Financial aid
File the FAFSA via studentaid.gov, then follow RCTC Financial Aid (507-285-7271) and Foundation scholarships.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
First-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN percentages are summarized in the NCLEX pass rates section with Minnesota Board of Nursing PDF sourcing. RCTC also publishes program completion and graduate employment survey metrics on its official outcomes pages—always read the footnotes describing cohort years and survey response rates.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (MN BON 2025 table year) | 85.04% (127 testers) — 2022–2025 RN PDF |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (MN BON 2025 table year) | 85.00% (20 testers) — 2022–2025 PN PDF |
| ADN program completion (school-reported) | 2023 aggregated cohort: 43% within 100% of expected program length per Nursing (AD) Program Outcomes—confirm methodology with RCTC. |
| ADN job placement among survey respondents (school-reported, 2023) | RCTC reports 100% of responding 2023 ADN graduates employed in RN roles within 6–12 months, with a 90.7% survey response rate (108 graduates). Confirm current cohorts and definitions on the outcomes page and with the college. |
| Source | RCTC ADN outcomes; RCTC PN outcomes; Minnesota Board statistical PDFs. |
Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Center, and regional long-term care employers routinely recruit in Rochester; exact graduate employers depend on cohort, survey participation, and labor market conditions.
Is Rochester Community and Technical College the Right Fit for You?
RCTC fits learners who thrive in structured, point-based admissions, can test on campus with the HSRT, and are willing to commute across southeast Minnesota for clinicals anchored in Rochester’s medical hub. It may not fit if you expect a fully online pre-licensure RN program or cannot meet CNA/BLS/background requirements before core nursing courses begin.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want PN and ADN pathways—including LPN mobility—within the same Minnesota State college.
- Plan to train near Mayo Clinic–scale employers while using Minnesota State tuition structures.
- Value transparent HSRT + science GPA scoring alongside Board-published NCLEX benchmarks.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing without transferring after licensure.
- Cannot attend in-person labs, clinicals, or RCTC-proctored HSRT sessions.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Rochester anchors Olmsted County and one of the Midwest’s most concentrated medical-industry labor markets, so RCTC nursing students routinely access tertiary-care hospitals, community clinics, and long-term care partners that mirror the complexity graduates will see as licensed RNs or LPNs. Published RCTC materials also highlight collaborative health sciences programming with Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences for selected allied health majors—confirm whether your nursing cohort lists overlap with those partnerships.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Flagship employers | Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center dominate local acute care hiring; graduates also feed home health, hospice, and skilled nursing settings across southeast Minnesota. |
| Student takeaway | Clinical contracts rotate by semester; treat specific units as examples until confirmed in RCTC orientation. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
RCTC’s nursing department integrates classroom theory with campus lab immersion and community clinicals; the college’s larger campus includes athletics, performing arts, and more than 500 acres of facilities described on the About RCTC page. Because RCTC is primarily a commuter college, review housing resources if you are relocating to Rochester. Meet with the nursing advisor early to plan HSRT prep, science repeats, and prerequisite sequencing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Rochester, MN
- Address
- 851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904-4999, US
- Main / Welcome Center
- 507-285-7557 or 1-800-247-1296
- Business Office
- 507-280-2969
- Financial Aid
- 507-285-7271
- Website
- rctc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read ADN admission requirements and PN admission requirements; note HSRT registration via the college’s linked portal.
- Download the correct ADN eForm or PN-ADN mobility PDF for your entry term.
- Complete NA/CNA coursework or verify active registry status if required for your pathway.
- Model tuition using the Tuition and Fees table plus nursing differential notes on Tuition Rates.
- Review Minnesota Board RN and PN statistical PDFs for historical RCTC performance.
- Email or call nursing advisor support (Jennifer Dahle, 507-280-3535 per program pages) with transcript-specific questions.
- Calendar the application close date: Mar 1 / Sep 15 for ADN, Jun 1 for PN (verify on rctc.edu).
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Rochester Community and Technical College offer?
RCTC lists Associate Degree Nursing (generic four-semester and LPN mobility three-semester tracks) leading to an AS and NCLEX-RN, a Practical Nursing diploma for NCLEX-PN, and an Advanced Hospital Nursing Assistant certificate that supports CNA-active prerequisites. No BSN is awarded on campus.
What is Rochester Community and Technical College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate?
Per the Minnesota Board of Nursing 2022–2025 associate-degree PDF, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates were 85.04% in 2025 (127 candidates), 95.37% in 2024 (108), 90.74% in 2023 (108), and 89.08% in 2022 (119). RCTC republishes the Board’s calendar-year percentages on its Nursing (AD) Program Outcomes page—confirm newer cohorts with the Board.
What is RCTC’s NCLEX-PN pass rate?
The Minnesota Board’s 2022–2025 practical-nursing PDF shows RCTC first-time NCLEX-PN pass rates of 85.00% in 2025 (20 candidates), 89.47% in 2024 (19), 85.00% in 2023 (20), and 92.31% in 2022 (26), matching the Practical Nursing Program Outcomes table.
Does Rochester Community and Technical College require the TEAS?
No. Generic ADN and PN applicants take the Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT) at RCTC; composite scores are combined with GPA using the published point structure. Always confirm testing policies on the current admission pages.
How much is tuition for Rochester Community and Technical College nursing students?
The Fall 2025–Summer 2026 Tuition and Fees table lists $220.55 per credit for tuition plus mandatory fees at the general rate, while Tuition Rates explains additional programmatic differentials for Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Nursing Assistant credits. Verify your actual per-credit charges on eServices or with the Business Office (507-280-2969).
When are Rochester Community and Technical College nursing applications due?
ADN generic and PN-ADN mobility applications run December 1–March 1 for fall and July 1–September 15 for spring. Practical Nursing accepts applications March 15 (8:00 a.m.) through June 1 (11:59 p.m.) for the next fall class. RCTC rejects late submissions—double-check the live application pages each year.
How does RCTC rank Associate Degree Nursing applicants?
Applicants need a 2.5 raw science GPA on specified biology/chemistry courses, HSRT completion at RCTC (composite divided by 10 and added to GPA points), and prerequisites such as CNA/NA and in-person BLS before core nursing courses. See the ADN Admission Requirements page for tie-breaker rules using HSRT sub-scores.
Is Rochester Community and Technical College nursing accredited?
RCTC states on its outcomes pages that both the Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing programs hold ACEN continuing accreditation and Minnesota Board of Nursing approval. Confirm the current public disclosure statement on ACENursing.org and with the department before you enroll.
Can LPNs enter Rochester Community and Technical College ADN with advanced standing?
Yes. Minnesota-licensed LPNs who meet the mobility prerequisites, BLS, and point grid may enter the three-semester PN-ADN track. Submit the separate mobility application during the same December–March or July–September windows.
Does Rochester Community and Technical College offer a BSN?
RCTC prepares students through the AS (RN) or PN diploma. Bachelor’s completion happens after licensure via transfer to other Minnesota State or private universities—plan those steps with RCTC advising and the transfer institution.
References
- Rochester Community and Technical College — Associate Degree Nursingrctc.edu/program/nurs/
- Rochester Community and Technical College — ADN admission & applicationADN Admission Requirements · ADN Application
- Rochester Community and Technical College — Program outcomesNursing (AD) Program Outcomes · Practical Nursing Program Outcomes
- Rochester Community and Technical College — ContactContact RCTC
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — Education Statistical Datamn.gov/boards/nursing/education/education-statistical-data/
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — 2022–2025 RN NCLEX PDF (associate)2022–2025_RN_NCLEX PDF
- Minnesota Board of Nursing — 2022–2025 PN NCLEX PDF2022–2025_PN_NCLEX PDF
- 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 with RCTC nursing program pages, Minnesota Board of Nursing RN and PN NCLEX statistical PDFs (2022–2025), and RCTC Fall 2025–Summer 2026 tuition disclosures.
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 Minnesota Board of Nursing.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy