Itawamba Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX-RN & Requirements (2026)
Itawamba Community College (ICC) delivers Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) from the Health Science Education Center in Tupelo, alongside LPN-to-RN advanced placement options and a Practical Nursing certificate. This guide pulls 2025–2026 tuition from ICC’s College Cost page, NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN outcomes from ICC’s published effectiveness PDFs (updated 11/17/2025), and May 1 / May 20 ADN deadlines from ICC admissions materials—confirm every detail with ICC and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
ICC runs one ADN cohort per year beginning each fall; the program is housed in the Health Science Education Center (Tupelo) near major North Mississippi hospitals. Licensed practical nurses can pursue two documented advanced-placement paths—a July challenge examination (Option 1) or a summer LPN-RN transition course after verified work experience (Option 2)—detailed on ICC’s Advanced Placement page.
Overview & Why Students Choose ICC
Itawamba Community College is headquartered in Fulton with the School of Health Science centered at the Health Science Education Center on the Tupelo campus—minutes from North Mississippi Health Services and other regional employers. ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing is a five-semester program with one fall-start cohort per year; the college also offers a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate and documented LPN-to-RN advanced placement options.
Health science programs use a ranked, selective process: submitting materials by May 1 and transcripts/ACT by May 20 (per ICC’s published ADN admissions timeline) is essential, but meeting minimums does not guarantee admission. Use ICC’s handbook and PDF admission procedures as your primary source.
ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing Outcomes and Effectiveness PDF (updated November 17, 2025) lists a 95.7% board-exam pass rate for the 2025 graduating cohort (91 of 95 testers in that row), 98.8% for 2024, and 98% for 2023. The Mississippi IHL 2025 nursing annual report (MS BON/NCSBN) shows Itawamba at 99.03% three-year (2022–2024) for all testers in the associate NCLEX-RN table—methodology differs from ICC’s cohort columns. Confirm newer cohorts with ICC and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose ICC for nursing
Tupelo clinical corridor
The Health Science Education Center sits in Tupelo’s medical corridor, giving students access to major hospitals and ambulatory sites while keeping ICC’s published 13:1 nursing student-to-faculty ratio.
ACEN-accredited ADN
ICC states the ADN delivered from its Tupelo Health Science division holds ACEN continuing accreditation and Mississippi IHL continuing accreditation—confirm status in ICC’s disclosures before you enroll.
Two LPN-to-RN bridges
Licensed practical nurses may qualify for Option 1 (July challenge for first-semester credit) or Option 2 (summer transition course after one year of recent work experience), each spelled out on ICC’s Advanced Placement page.
Published outcomes PDFs
ICC posts dated Outcomes and Effectiveness tables for both ADN and Practical Nursing, including NCLEX pass rates and placement—useful for cohort-to-cohort comparisons.
2025–2026 tuition transparency
ICC publishes a College Cost and Fees table for 2025–2026 plus nursing-specific estimated fee worksheets (uniforms, liability insurance, NCLEX filing costs, etc.).
Nursing Programs Offered
ICC’s School of Health Science lists both Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing. ADN classes meet in Tupelo; Practical Nursing uses ICC’s published three-semester sequence with August and January starts.
Pre-licensure
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) — generic track
ICC describes a two-year (five-semester) curriculum awarding an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, preparing graduates for NCLEX-RN. Public materials list ACT composite 18+, prerequisites completed by May 20 (Anatomy & Physiology I & II and Microbiology each with C or better), and an overall 2.0 GPA on prescribed college coursework. One cohort begins each fall.
Associate Degree Nursing — LPN advanced placement
Option 1: Active, unencumbered LPN license; score 75+ on a July challenge exam covering NUR 1119/1111; join second-semester nursing courses after skills validation.
Option 2: LPNs with at least one year of work in the past two years complete a five-credit summer transition course, then enter the final two semesters with validation credit for selected foundational courses. Applicants unsuccessful in another nursing program after licensure are directed to readmission policy instead.
Practical Nursing certificate
ICC’s Practical Nursing page describes a one-year (three-semester) program awarding a Certificate of Completion, ACT 16+, prerequisite coursework, and eligibility for NCLEX-PN. The program is accredited by the Mississippi Board of Nursing (reaffirmation noted as 2024 on ICC’s site).
Post-licensure & graduate
ICC does not operate RN-to-BSN, MSN, or DNP programs; ADN graduates typically ladder to a university BSN if they choose.
ICC routes health science applicants through the online Health Science Application. Applicants who attended another RN or PN program must submit the Letter of Good Standing items described in ICC’s admission PDF by May 1. Policies on repeating nursing courses or returning after withdrawal appear in the handbook—read the current PDF before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
ICC publishes a tabular Outcomes and Effectiveness report for Associate Degree Nursing (last updated November 17, 2025). The Board Exam (Pass Rate) column shows 95.7% for 2025 graduates (91 of 95 tested), 98.8% for 2024 (84 of 85), and 98% for 2023 (56 of 57)—use ICC’s PDF headings for whether each row is first-time or all-tester.
According to the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs (May 15, 2025; NCLEX-RN table citing the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN), Itawamba Community College associate-level NCLEX-RN pass rates were 98.46% (2022), 96.55% (2023), and 98.82% (2024), with a three-year rate of 99.03% for all testers (first-time and repeat). The IHL table’s latest calendar year in this PDF is 2024, while ICC’s PDF may include 2025 cohort rows not yet reflected in that statewide compilation.
For Practical Nursing, the companion PDF lists 100% NCLEX-PN pass for the Summer 2025 graduating cohort (19 of 19) and 96% for Fall 2024 (26 of 27). Always confirm the newest cohort with ICC and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (MS IHL 2025 report — associate row, all testers) | 98.46% (2022), 96.55% (2023), 98.82% (2024); three-year 99.03% — IHL Nursing Annual Report (PDF) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2025 cohort) | 95.7% — 91 passed / 95 tested (ICC ADN Outcomes PDF, 11/17/2025) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024 cohort) | 98.8% — 84 passed / 85 tested (same source) |
| NCLEX-PN pass rate (Summer 2025 PN cohort) | 100% — 19 passed / 19 tested (ICC PN Outcomes PDF, 11/17/2025) |
| Job placement (ADN, 2025 cohort) | 94% placement rate published on same ADN outcomes table; confirm ICC’s definition |
| Source (school) | Associate Degree Nursing — Outcomes and Effectiveness (PDF); Practical Nursing — Outcomes and Effectiveness (PDF) |
| Source (state) | Mississippi Board of Nursing; Mississippi IHL — 2025 Nursing Annual Report (PDF) |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Mississippi Board of Nursing and ICC before you rely on any single percentage.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Community college nursing programs often have limited seats and clinical placement requirements tied to state licensure. Treat the list below as a planning checklist only—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: ICC’s published steps for documented non-U.S. citizens list TOEFL 500 (paper) or IELTS 6.0 plus additional health and credential-evaluation requirements with firm calendar deadlines—confirm current minimums with the Registrar/Admissions office.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Confirm whether international secondary or college work must be evaluated (and which services ICC accepts) before nursing prerequisite credit is posted.
- Mississippi Board of Nursing: For RN or LPN licensure eligibility, NCLEX registration, and internationally educated nurse pathways, review current Board rules and forms—not only the college catalog.
- Immigration & visa status: Clinical courses may require background checks, drug screens, and site access policies that interact with visa category; coordinate with ICC and clinical sites early.
Requirements change. Verify with ICC admissions, the international student office if applicable, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing materials emphasize a point-ranking system: applicants who meet minimums are not guaranteed seats. Official ACT scores must reside in the Admissions office (scores on college transcripts are not acceptable per ICC’s PDF). The entrance exam referenced for generic ADN applicants is the ACT (18+ composite); Practical Nursing lists ACT 16+.
Generic ADN — published minimums (December 5, 2025 admission PDF)
- High school diploma or equivalency with official transcript on file.
- Overall college GPA ≥ 2.0 on previously earned credit in the prescribed curriculum.
- Prerequisite courses with C or better by May 20: BIO 2514, BIO 2524, BIO 2924.
- Official ACT composite ≥ 18 on file in ICC Admissions by May 20.
- Online Health Science Application plus supporting documents submitted by May 1; acceptance/outcome emails referenced by June 1.
LPN advanced placement
Follow ICC’s Advanced Placement Options page and PDF checklists. Option 1 applicants sit for a July challenge examination on the Tupelo campus; Option 2 applicants must verify one year of LPN employment within the past two years on employer letterhead after meeting prerequisite and general-education requirements.
Application timeline (Associate Degree Nursing)
| Milestone | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Health Science Application opens | January (after winter break) | ICC lists January availability on its admission PDF. |
| ICC college application (if new) | March 15 recommended | Allows processing time before nursing deadline. |
| Health Science Application + licensure proofs | May 1 | Includes documentation for point-rated licenses/certifications. |
| Official transcripts & ACT scores | May 20 | Required to earn ranking points for new coursework. |
| Decision notification | June 1 | ICC emails applicants via ICC student email; alternates may be contacted through start of class. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed — limited seats with ranked selection. |
| Minimum GPA (published) | 2.0 on previous college credit in the prescribed curriculum (ADN PDF). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not required in the December 2025 ADN admission PDF; ACT used for ranking. Reconfirm before you apply. |
| Prior RN/PN programs | Letter of Good Standing due May 1 if previously enrolled elsewhere (per ICC PDF). |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
ICC lists 2025–2026 tuition tiers on its College Cost and Fees webpage. Nursing students also pay program-specific fees (for example, $400 per semester for Associate Degree Nursing and $150 per semester for Practical Nursing) plus uniforms, clinical requirements, and textbooks—see ICC’s published estimated fee PDFs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition (full-time tier as published) | $1,550 per semester (2025–2026 College Cost table) |
| Out-of-state / out-of-country tuition (full-time tier) | $2,750 per semester (same table) |
| Part-time (under 12 semester hours) | $145/hour in-state; $245/hour out-of-state/out-of-country |
| Overload (above 21 hours) | $145 per additional semester hour (published overload line) |
| General student fees (examples) | Full-time student fee $160/semester; part-time $125/semester; course material fees $30+; eLearning $10/online hour |
| ADN programmatic estimate (non-tuition) | ICC’s July 2025 Estimated Fees workbook lists roughly $7,278 in combined entry, supplies, books/testing, insurance, and pin/NCLEX expenses—excluding tuition and clinical travel |
| Source | ICC College Cost and Fees (2025–2026); Estimated Fees — ADN (PDF) |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
ICC’s Outcomes and Effectiveness PDFs summarize graduation, board-exam, and placement data for each nursing program. The ADN table shows a 74% graduation rate for the 2025 cohort alongside the 95.7% board pass and 94% placement figures quoted above.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (MS IHL associate row, CY 2022–24, all testers) | 98.46% / 96.55% / 98.82% by year; 99.03% three-year — IHL 2025 report |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2025 graduates) | 95.7% — ICC ADN outcomes PDF (11/17/2025) |
| Job placement (2025 graduates) | 94% — same ICC table; confirm how “placement” is defined |
| NCLEX-PN pass (Summer 2025 PN cohort) | 100% (19/19) — ICC PN outcomes PDF |
| Source | NUR-OutEff.pdf; PNV-OutEff.pdf |
Is ICC the Right Fit for You?
ICC suits learners who want a public, two-year nursing credential anchored in Tupelo’s health care market, can meet May deadlines, and are comfortable with ACT-based ranking—not students who need a same-campus BSN or multiple start dates per year for ADN.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Plan to complete ICC’s science prerequisites on time and accept a single annual fall ADN start.
- Want transparent NCLEX and placement tables from ICC before committing.
- Value documented LPN bridges (Options 1 & 2) or a PN certificate that feeds the RN path.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require a spring or summer ADN start every year—ICC’s generic ADN is fall-only.
- Cannot travel to Tupelo for nursing coursework, challenge exams, or clinical rotations.
- Expect automatic admission once minimum GPA and ACT are met.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Tupelo anchors North Mississippi’s referral network. ICC’s Health Science Education Center sits near North Mississippi Health Services facilities, and students typically rotate through acute care, ambulatory clinics, behavioral health, and community agencies as contracts allow each year.
| Facility / system (examples) | Relevance |
|---|---|
| North Mississippi Health Services | Large regional system headquartered in Tupelo—illustrative of the acuity and volume students may see during ICC clinicals (verify contracted sites each term). |
| Baptist Memorial Hospital–North Mississippi | Major acute-care employer in the Tupelo area for rotations and post-licensure hiring. |
| Community and rural partners | Home health, long-term care, and smaller hospitals across northeast Mississippi also hire ICC PN and ADN graduates. |
| Next step | Request the handbook’s current clinical site appendix from the program director or dean’s office. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Health Science Education Center consolidates ICC’s Tupelo-based programs—combining classroom, lab, and simulation resources described in ICC’s nursing handbook. Students may take prerequisites at other ICC locations (Fulton, Tupelo, Belden) but should plan intensive days on the Tupelo campus once core nursing courses begin. ICC promotes scholarships, student life activities, and nursing organizations such as MOSA in its fee worksheets; verify active chapters with the program office.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Fulton campus (main office)
- 602 West Hill Street, Fulton, MS 38843, US
- Health Science Education Center
- 2176 South Eason Blvd., Tupelo, MS 38804, US
- ADN program director
- Heather Hancock — 662-620-5205, hmhancock@iccms.edu
- Health Science office
- 662-620-5200 — rawilliams@iccms.edu (administrative assistant, School of Health Science)
- Health Science adviser
- Blake Buse — 662-620-5239, pbbuse@iccms.edu
- Practical Nursing director
- Dr. Lisa Pearson — 662-620-5230, lmpearson@iccms.edu
- Website
- iccms.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download ICC’s Associate Degree Nursing Admission PDF, handbook, and (if applicable) Practical Nursing admissions.
- Map prerequisite courses (BIO 2514/2524/2924 for ADN) against your transcripts and note ICC’s May 20 document deadline.
- Order official ACT scores sent to ICC admissions if your composite needs to reach 18 (ADN) or 16 (PN).
- Create milestones for May 1 (application) and June 1 (decision timeline) with calendar alerts.
- File the FAFSA and review ICC financial aid for the fall you intend to begin nursing courses.
- Budget using Estimated Fees — ADN plus the College Cost table.
- Bookmark the Mississippi Board of Nursing for future NCLEX and licensure policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Itawamba Community College offer?
ICC operates a five-semester Associate Degree Nursing program (fall start, Tupelo Health Science Center), LPN advanced-placement Options 1 & 2, and a three-semester Practical Nursing certificate with fall and spring entry. ICC does not award a BSN or MSN on campus.
When is the ICC Associate Degree Nursing application due?
The public admission PDF sets May 1 for the Health Science Application (with supporting licensure proofs) and May 20 for official transcripts and ACT scores used in ranking. Notifications are referenced by June 1.
Does ICC nursing require the TEAS?
The December 2025 ADN admission packet centers on ACT scores, prerequisite science grades, GPA, and a published point system—not TEAS. Confirm future cycles on ICC’s site.
What ACT score do I need for ICC nursing?
ICC lists ACT 18+ for Associate Degree Nursing and ACT 16+ for Practical Nursing (public program pages). Official scores must be filed with ICC Admissions, not only on college transcripts.
What NCLEX-RN pass rate did ICC publish for 2025 graduates?
The NUR-OutEff.pdf table dated November 17, 2025 shows 95.7% (91 of 95 tested) for the 2025 graduating cohort. The Mississippi IHL 2025 Nursing Annual Report lists Itawamba at 99.03% three-year (2022–2024, all testers in the associate row; latest CY in that PDF is 2024). Confirm newer years with ICC, the IHL report, and the Board.
How much is Itawamba Community College tuition in 2025–2026?
ICC’s College Cost page lists $1,550 per semester for in-state students at the published full-time tier, $2,750 out-of-state/out-of-country, and $145/$245 per credit for part-time loads under 12 hours, plus fees and nursing program charges.
Where are ICC nursing classes held?
ICC states Associate Degree Nursing is delivered from the Health Science Education Center in Tupelo (2176 South Eason Blvd.). Practical Nursing also sits within the School of Health Science portfolio.
How do ICC’s LPN-to-RN options differ?
Option 1 uses a July challenge exam for first-semester validation; Option 2 requires a year of recent LPN work, prerequisite completion, and a five-credit summer transition before joining the senior year—see ICC’s Advanced Placement page.
Is ICC’s ADN nursing program accredited?
ICC reports ACEN continuing accreditation and Mississippi IHL continuing accreditation for the Associate Degree Nursing program located with its Health Science division in Tupelo. Practical Nursing accreditation is described on ICC’s PN page relative to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
If I attended another nursing school, can I apply to ICC?
ICC requires a Letter of Good Standing (and related forms) by May 1 if you previously enrolled in an RN or PN program. Applicants who failed other nursing programs after becoming an LPN may be routed away from advanced placement—read ICC’s policy PDF.
References
- Itawamba Community College — Associate Degree NursingAssociate-Degree-Nursing
- Itawamba Community College — Practical NursingPractical-Nursing
- Itawamba Community College — College Cost and Fees (2025–2026)CollegeCost
- ICC — ADN Outcomes and Effectiveness (PDF, 11/17/2025)NUR-OutEff.pdf
- ICC — PN Outcomes and Effectiveness (PDF)PNV-OutEff.pdf
- ICC — ADN Admissions (PDF, 12/05/2025)NUR-Admissions.pdf
- ICC — LPN Advanced Placement OptionsAdvanced-Placement-Options
- Mississippi Board of Nursingmsbn.ms.gov
- Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learningmississippi.edu/ihl
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)acenursing.org
- 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 between on-page claims and ICC’s 2025–2026 College Cost table, NUR/PNV Outcomes PDFs (dated 11/17/2025), and ADN Admission PDF (12/05/2025).
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It is not legal, immigration, licensure, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and clinical placement policies change; verify with Itawamba Community College and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Published: Mar 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: Mar 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy