Pearl River Community College Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Pearl River Community College (PRCC) runs ACEN-accredited ADN and Practical Nursing programs across Poplarville, Hattiesburg (Forrest County), and the Gulf Coast (Hancock)—serving Hancock, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion, and Pearl River counties. This guide summarizes 2025–26 tuition, published application deadlines, ACT/TEAS/NACE testing rules, and school-reported NCLEX-RN licensure outcomes (all testers, first-time and repeat). Confirm every detail with PRCC and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
PRCC combines a multi-campus ADN (Traditional plus LPN-to-ADN day and evening/weekend bridges) with Practical Nursing on the Gulf South I-59 corridor, so you can pursue NCLEX-PN first—or enter directly toward NCLEX-RN—without leaving the six-county district. Published program outcomes make annual licensure pass rates easy to track before you apply.
Overview & Why Students Choose PRCC
Pearl River Community College anchors Health Sciences & Nursing on its Poplarville flagship campus, with parallel ADN and PN delivery on the Forrest County Campus in Hattiesburg and— for practical nursing— the Hancock County footprint near the Gulf. Clinical experiences described on the official ADN page include hospitals, clinics, long-term care, schools, and other partners throughout the six-county district.
The program explicitly advertises three ADN options—Traditional ADN (four semesters), LPN-to-ADN day bridge, and LPN-to-ADN evening/weekend (three semesters once in nursing)—so working LPNs can choose an accelerated schedule when offered. Practical Nursing publishes both full-time day and part-time night/weekend sequencing lasting 12 or 18 months depending on the option.
PRCC’s ADN Program Outcomes page reports an annual NCLEX-RN pass rate for all test takers (first-time and repeat) in the same twelve-month period—not the same definition as a first-time-only board table. For regulator-facing statistics and comparisons, review Mississippi Board of Nursing publications and ask admissions how cohort years align.
Reasons students choose Pearl River Community College
Multi-campus ladder (PN → RN)
Students can earn a PN certificate, work locally, then bridge into LPN-to-ADN without leaving the PRCC system—helpful along the I-59 / Mississippi Gulf Coast corridor.
Published licensure outcomes
The college posts rolling NCLEX-RN pass percentages plus completion and employer-reported placement tables—strong inputs when you benchmark programs.
Defined entrance exams by pathway
Traditional ADN applicants pivot to on-site-proctored TEAS (per 2025 guidance), while LPN-to-ADN applicants must use NACE Foundations of Nursing—reducing guesswork if you plan testing months ahead.
Regional clinical variety
Official copy highlights hospitals plus clinics, long-term care, physician offices, rehab, and K-12 settings—useful if you want breadth before your first RN job.
Affordable published tuition
Posted 2025–26 per-semester tuition keeps full-time in-state study near peer Mississippi community colleges before nursing program fees.
Nursing Programs Offered
PRCC’s Health Sciences & Nursing pathway focuses on two pre-licensure credentials—Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing. The college does not award BSN, MSN, or DNP nursing degrees; plan to transfer after licensure if you need a bachelor’s.
Pre-licensure nursing
Associate Degree Nursing (Traditional ADN)
Face-to-face program on Poplarville and Forrest County campuses; four semesters in length once admitted. Graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science and meet Mississippi educational requirements to apply for NCLEX-RN. The college requires the science section of the ACT, and—beginning March 1, 2025—Traditional applicants must submit ATI TEAS from an on-site proctored administration only (no online TEAS).
LPN-to-ADN (day & evening/weekend bridges)
Designed for licensed practical nurses: day bridge options start fall/spring on both main instructional sites; evening/weekend bridge historically starts summer at Forrest County (verify Poplarville summer evening/weekend status—PRCC notes that pathway may be on hold). Three semesters of nursing coursework once admitted. Beginning August 1, 2024, PRCC accepts only the NACE Foundations of Nursing exam for LPN-to-ADN entrance testing.
Practical Nursing (certificate)
Twelve- or eighteen-month certificate preparing graduates for NCLEX-PN. Full-time day runs on Poplarville and Hattiesburg-area campuses; part-time night/weekend adds Hancock (Waveland). February 1 is the published deadline for all PN options, with ACT minimums (composite 16; reading & math 14) and TEAS through ATI required per the How to Apply page.
PRCC treats nursing like other allied health majors: you may be admitted to the college as a pre–Health Sciences student but still must apply and be selected into the nursing cohort. Read the ADN Student Handbook and PN handbook PDFs for progression grades (minimum course grades apply).
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to PRCC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program Outcomes page, the annual NCLEX-RN licensure pass rate for all test takers (first-time and repeat) in the same twelve-month period was 96.77% in calendar year 2024 (120 of 124 testers) and 98.32% in 2023 (117 of 119). That matches the program’s stated benchmark that all-test-taker pass rates remain at or above 80%.
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs (May 15, 2025; data cited to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN) lists Pearl River at 94.62% (2022), 98.32% (2023), and 96.77% (2024), with a three-year rate of 96.73%—the 2023–2024 figures match PRCC’s public table; the 2022 value may differ slightly from PRCC’s rolling window. For first-time-only cuts, use Board publications and ask admissions how cohort years align.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
PRCC’s public ADN outcomes page focuses on the RN program. For Practical Nursing licensure results, consult PN handbook materials, program contacts (pn@prcc.edu), or Board-published practical nursing pass-rate tables when available.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (MS IHL 2025 report — associate row, all testers) | 94.62% (2022), 98.32% (2023), 96.77% (2024); three-year 96.73% — IHL Nursing Annual Report (PDF) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024, school methodology) | 96.77% (120/124) — all testers, first-time & repeat, same 12-month period |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2023) | 98.32% (117/119) — same methodology |
| School outcomes source | PRCC ADN Program Outcomes |
| Board / regulator source | Mississippi Board of Nursing; Mississippi IHL 2025 Nursing Annual Report (PDF) |
NCLEX statistics change by cohort and by whether a report counts first-time testers only or all testers. Confirm the newest numbers with PRCC’s graduation year and the Mississippi Board of Nursing before you choose a start term.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Like other Mississippi community colleges, PRCC may admit international students when visa status, English proficiency, and clinical agency contracts align. Nursing majors also must satisfy Mississippi Board of Nursing requirements for eventual RN or PN licensure. Use the checklist below as general guidance only—not legal advice—and confirm every requirement with PRCC admissions, the international-student office (if applicable), and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Ask whether TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or other exams are required in addition to ACT/TEAS rules.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Confirm whether PRCC or the Board requires WES, CGFNS, or another evaluator for prior nursing or science coursework.
- Mississippi Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses often need board-specific documentation before NCLEX eligibility—coordinate early.
- Immigration & clinical clearance: Visa category can affect background checks, liability insurance, and affiliation agreements for clinical rotations.
Policies change frequently. Verify with PRCC and the Mississippi Board of Nursing before committing to a cohort.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
PRCC Health Sciences nursing tracks are selective admission: completing general college admission does not guarantee entry into the ADN or PN cohorts. Each pathway specifies ACT science rules, entrance exams (TEAS for Traditional ADN beginning March 1, 2025; NACE for LPN-to-ADN after August 1, 2024), and limited seats per campus.
Application timeline (published PRCC materials)
| Program track | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ADN — fall (Traditional & LPN day) | January 1 – March 1 | Poplarville & Forrest County sites per ADN homepage. |
| ADN — spring (Traditional & LPN day) | August 1 – October 1 | Both campuses listed for spring entry. |
| ADN — summer evening/weekend (LPN bridge) | December 1 – January 25 | Forrest County campus; verify Poplarville evening/weekend summer—listed on hold. |
| Practical Nursing — all options | Deadline February 1 | Applies to full-time day and part-time night/weekend tracks. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nursing acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| ACT (ADN) | Science section required; verify composite/subscore rules in ADN materials. |
| ACT (PN) | Composite ≥16; reading & math ≥14 per How to Apply page. |
| Entrance exams | Traditional ADN: on-site proctored ATI TEAS (per March 1, 2025 update). LPN-to-ADN: NACE Foundations of Nursing (per August 1, 2024 update). PN: ATI TEAS required. |
| Program contacts | ADN: adn@prcc.edu · 601-403-1017 · PN: pn@prcc.edu · 601-403-1827 |
Applicant tips
Email the correct mailbox (adn@prcc.edu vs. pn@prcc.edu) with the campus and option you want so you receive the right checklist. Schedule TEAS or NACE early—scores must remain valid through the application deadline—and watch for one-way policy changes (e.g., PRCC now rejects online TEAS for Traditional ADN). Track separate deadlines: PN uses a single February 1 date while ADN windows rotate by semester.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The figures below come from Pearl River Community College’s Tuition and Fees page for 2025–2026, which warns that amounts are estimates until you view your individualized bill in RiverGuide. Nursing students must budget the published program fees, liability insurance, clinical supplies, background checks, testing fees, and mileage between Poplarville, Hattiesburg, or Hancock sites.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition (≥15 semester hours) | $1,800 per semester |
| In-state tuition (<15 hours) | $170 per credit hour |
| Registration fee (all students) | $100 per semester (published) |
| Out-of-state surcharge | $1,200 per semester when taking ≥15 hours (plus higher per-credit surcharge when part-time); COA table notes +$2,400 annually for non-residents |
| ADN program fee | $1,300 per semester (covers liability insurance, fingerprinting, background check, drug screen per schedule) |
| Allied Health program fee (includes PN) | $1,100 per semester (covers fingerprinting, background check, drug screen per schedule) |
| COA example (tuition + fees only, on-campus living) | Tuition $3,600 + fees $200 academic year baseline in published COA table before housing |
| Source | PRCC Tuition and Fees (2025–2026). Confirm billed charges with the Business Office. |
Contact wildcathub@prcc.edu or call 601-403-1000 for financial aid questions referenced on the Future Wildcats hub.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
The Gulf South corridor—from Hattiesburg’s referral hospitals to coastal community providers—continues to hire new graduate RNs and LPNs, especially nurses willing to staff med-surg, school health, and long-term care partnerships referenced by PRCC. Use the outcomes table for school-published metrics; always confirm how response rates and definitions affect percentages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024, school methodology) | 96.77% (120/124) — all testers, same 12-month period per PRCC Program Outcomes |
| Program completion (academic year 2024/2025) | 129 / 215 = 60% for combined Traditional ADN and LPN-to-ADN cohorts (PRCC outcomes page) |
| Job placement (2024 graduates) | Survey-based: 97% of 30 responding graduates (24% response rate) employed as RNs one year after graduation—methodology on PRCC outcomes page |
| Source | PRCC ADN Program Outcomes |
Is Pearl River Community College the Right Fit for You?
PRCC fits students who want Mississippi community-college pricing, Wildcats school spirit, and face-to-face nursing labs anchored in Poplarville, Hattiesburg, or the Coast—not a fully remote experience.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Can commute to Poplarville, Forrest County, or Hancock sites for skills labs and clinicals.
- Value published NCLEX-RN, completion, and placement tables when comparing programs.
- Want a PN certificate, NCLEX-PN licensure, and a later LPN-to-ADN bridge without switching colleges.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need 100% online pre-licensure coursework (PRCC nursing is on-site with clinical travel).
- Expect to finish a BSN at PRCC (plan to transfer after RN licensure).
- Cannot meet selective admission testing policies (ACT science, proctored TEAS, NACE, or February 1 PN deadline).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Pearl River Community College’s district spans Hancock, Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion, and Pearl River counties—linking Coast providers with the Hattiesburg hub and rural communities northwest of the Gulf. PRCC’s ADN materials note clinical experiences at hospitals plus clinics, nursing homes, physicians’ offices, rehabilitation centers, and K-12 schools across those counties, reflecting both inpatient intensity and community-based care.
Major employers near PRCC clinical footprints include regional medical centers serving Hattiesburg (for example, Forrest General Hospital and surrounding multi-hospital networks) and Gulf Coast hospitals near Hancock County, alongside rural facilities that hire associate-prepared nurses. Always confirm your assigned rotation list each term; contracts change.
| Setting | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Regional medical centers (Hattiesburg) | Offers higher-acuity med-surg, perioperative, and specialty exposure when cohorts rotate through partner hospitals. |
| Coast & rural community hospitals | Provides varied patient populations for students living near Hancock or Poplarville without commuting to Jackson. |
| School & outpatient settings | Builds skills in education, clinics, and population health—matching PRCC’s stated clinical mix. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Wildcat nursing students may take general education courses on the tree-lined Poplarville campus, the Forrest County Campus near Hattiesburg, or— for PN night/weekend—the Hancock County site. Skills laboratories and simulation tie theory to practice before community clinical rotations begin; download the ADN Student Handbook or PN handbook for dress codes, professionalism, and travel expectations.
On-campus housing exists primarily in Poplarville; students commuting to multiple sites should budget fuel and parking. Participate in health sciences info sessions (dates posted on the ADN page) to tour Allied Health/Nursing facilities and ask faculty about cohort culture.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Poplarville, MS (Pearl River County)
- Address
- Office of Admissions, Pearl River Community College, 101 Hwy 11 North, Poplarville, MS 39470, US
- Telephone
- Wildcat Hub: 601-403-1000 · ADN: 601-403-1017 · PN: 601-403-1827
- Contact email
- wildcathub@prcc.edu · adn@prcc.edu · pn@prcc.edu
- Website
- prcc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the ADN and PN How to Apply pages end-to-end, including testing updates (on-site TEAS, NACE).
- Download the current ADN handbook or PN handbook for progression and clinical policies.
- Request official transcripts sent to the Poplarville admissions office exactly as PN instructions describe (e-script preferred).
- Register for ACT (with science) or schedule ATI TEAS / NACE per your pathway; ensure scores will not expire before the deadline.
- Email adn@prcc.edu or pn@prcc.edu with campus + option so you receive the right application packet.
- Bookmark Program Outcomes for NCLEX and completion trends.
- Add PN February 1 and ADN seasonal windows to your calendar with two-week reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pearl River Community College offer both PN and RN programs?
Yes. PRCC awards a Practical Nursing certificate leading to NCLEX-PN and an Associate Degree Nursing program (Traditional plus LPN-to-ADN bridges) leading to an Associate in Applied Science and NCLEX-RN eligibility. There is no BSN at PRCC—plan to transfer after licensure if you need a bachelor’s.
What TEAS rules apply to PRCC nursing applicants?
Practical Nursing requires ATI TEAS through the college’s published process alongside ACT minimums. Traditional ADN applicants must use ATI TEAS taken only at on-site proctored centers beginning March 1, 2025 (no online TEAS). LPN-to-ADN applicants must use NACE Foundations of Nursing beginning August 1, 2024. Confirm retest windows on the live ADN page.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Pearl River CC’s ADN program?
PRCC’s Program Outcomes page reports a 96.77% annual pass rate for calendar year 2024 (120 of 124 testers) counting all first-time and repeat NCLEX-RN attempts in the same 12-month period—not the same as a first-time-only statistic. Compare with Mississippi Board of Nursing tables for regulator-defined rates.
When must I apply to PRCC Practical Nursing?
The college sets February 1 as the deadline for every PN option (full-time day and part-time night/weekend). Late materials usually cost you a cycle—treat February 1 as firm unless PRCC posts otherwise.
How do Pearl River ADN application windows differ by semester?
Fall Traditional and LPN day tracks accept January 1–March 1 applications; spring entries use August 1–October 1; summer evening/weekend LPN bridge at Forrest County runs December 1–January 25. Poplarville’s evening/weekend summer start has been on hold—read the ADN homepage for reopening news.
How much is PRCC tuition for nursing students in 2025–2026?
Residents pay $1,800 per semester when enrolled in 15+ credits ($170/credit if part-time) plus a $100 registration fee each term. Add $1,300 per semester for ADN program fees or $1,100 for Allied Health (PN) fees, plus out-of-state surcharges if applicable—see the Tuition and Fees page.
Where will I attend nursing classes at Pearl River Community College?
ADN runs on the Poplarville campus and the Forrest County Campus in Hattiesburg. PN adds Hancock County (Waveland) for the night/weekend track. Expect clinical travel throughout the six-county district.
Is Pearl River’s ADN program accredited?
The college states ACEN grants continuing accreditation to the ADN program and lists Mississippi IHL approval as well. Verify the disclosure link on PRCC’s ADN page before you enroll.
References
- Pearl River Community College — Health Sciences & Nursingprcc.edu/academics/health-sciences-nursing
- PRCC — Associate Degree Nursing (requirements & deadlines)Associate Degree Nursing
- PRCC — ADN Program Outcomes (NCLEX-RN, completion, placement)Program Outcomes
- PRCC — Practical Nursing & How to ApplyPN How to Apply
- PRCC — Tuition and Fees (2025–2026)Tuition and Fees
- PRCC — ADN Student Handbook (Spring 2026 PDF)ADN handbook PDF
- Mississippi Board of Nursing — licensure & examination resourcesmsbn.ms.gov
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov RN occupational outlook
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Licensed Practical Nursesbls.gov LPN occupational outlook
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 PRCC’s published program outcomes, 2025–26 tuition schedule, and live ADN/PN admissions language.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, immigration, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy