East Central College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
East Central College is a public community college serving Union, Rolla, Washington, and surrounding communities with selective-admission nursing programs. This guide summarizes official tuition tiers, HESI-based admissions, and board-published NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN outcomes. Confirm the latest cohort figures with ECC and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
East Central College runs a single nursing curriculum across Union and Rolla with board-reported NCLEX outcomes listed separately by NCSBN program code—so your campus choice matters for cohort size, scheduling (evening/weekend bridge at Rolla), and how you interpret published pass-rate tables on the Missouri Board site.
Overview & Why Students Choose East Central College
Between metro St. Louis to the east and the Ozarks corridor served by Rolla and Phelps Health, East Central College offers a practical route to RN or LPN licensure without leaving the region. The college’s nursing pages emphasize selective admission, high-fidelity simulation labs, and clinical experiences woven through a demanding weekly study commitment.
ECC awards an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing for RN pathways (we use ADN here to match common nursing-school terminology; ECC materials also refer to this associate nursing degree as an ADN program). Graduates sit for NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN with Missouri State Board of Nursing–approved programs at Union, Rolla, and— for practical nursing—Washington’s Four Rivers Career Center.
Published first-time NCLEX-RN rates for ECC’s Rolla and Union ADN sites appear separately on Missouri’s quarterly NCSBN Program Summary reports. For the period January 1–September 30, 2025 (report dated October 9, 2025), those rates were 90.91% (20 of 22 first-time testers) and 76.47% (13 of 17), respectively. NCLEX-PN data for the Rolla campus in the July 1–September 30, 2025 reporting window showed 11 of 11 first-time passes. Confirm later cohorts on the Missouri Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics page and with East Central College nursing leadership.
Reasons students choose East Central College
Board-published NCLEX benchmarking
Missouri’s quarterly Program Summary reports let you compare first-time NCLEX pass rates for the Union and Rolla ADN sites side-by-side with other approved programs—useful when you are choosing a campus or evaluating risk between cohort years.
Multi-site access
Generic (pre-licensure) ADN instruction is available at both Union and Rolla, while the LPN-to-RN bridge emphasizes evening and every-other-weekend scheduling at Rolla for working LPNs, with distance tools woven into the design.
Simulation-forward skills labs
ECC markets high-fidelity human patient simulators and “state-of-the-art clinical labs” integrated with theory—helpful if you want repeated deliberate practice before hospital rotations.
Transparent admissions gates
Published HESI score thresholds, minimum GPA (2.75 RN / 2.0 LPN), prerequisite grade rules, and background-check contingencies give you a concrete checklist before you pay application fees.
Nursing Programs Offered
East Central College stacks nursing into three distinct entry points: practical nursing certificate (NCLEX-PN), generic ADN (NCLEX-RN) at Union and Rolla, and an LPN-to-RN bridge for licensed practical nurses at Rolla. The college does not list on-campus BSN, MSN, DNP, or accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (Generic / Traditional ADN pathway)
Selective pre-licensure program delivered at the Union main campus and the Rolla site; graduates apply for NCLEX-RN. ECC states students should plan on roughly 20–30 hours per week of out-of-class study.
Post-licensure (LPN → RN)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (LPN to RN Bridge)
Designed for Missouri LPNs; ECC notes evening and every-other-weekend scheduling at Rolla, distance technology, and a HESI LPN-to-RN mobility exam requirement (750+ within two years of application).
Practical nursing (NCLEX-PN)
Licensed Practical Nursing (Certificate of Achievement)
Offered at the Rolla Technical Center and Four Rivers Career Center in Washington; graduates pursue NCLEX-PN. Applicants follow a separate HESI PN-A2 rule set (77+ reading comprehension within two years per ECC’s public page).
Listings mirror ECC’s 2025–2026 catalog pathways and allied health pages. If ECC adds BSN partnerships or stackable credentials, confirm the newest catalog and nursing FAQ before planning transfers.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration / Board of Nursing’s published Pearson VUE NCSBN Program Summary Report 4 (“Jurisdiction Program Summary of all First-Time Candidates”), data through September 30, 2025 and report-generated on October 9, 2025, first-time NCLEX-RN performance for East Central College’s separately coded ADN programs was:
- Rolla ADN (NCSBN code US17402600): 90.91% — 20 passed of 22 first-time candidates (January 1–September 30, 2025).
- Union ADN (NCSBN code US17407000): 76.47% — 13 passed of 17 first-time candidates (same window).
Missouri publishes updated quarterly PDFs from its NCLEX statistics index; the figures above come from 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4.
NCLEX-PN (Licensed Practical Nursing)
That same reporting cycle’s PN Program Summary (Report 4) lists East Central College – Rolla Campus – PN with 11 of 11 first-time candidates passing in the July 1–September 30, 2025 column (100% for that reporting slice; small n). Source: 2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass — Rolla ADN | 90.91% (20/22, Jan–Sep 2025) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass — Union ADN | 76.47% (13/17, Jan–Sep 2025) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass — Rolla PN (report window) | 100% (11/11, Jul–Sep 2025 per Report 4) |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX statistics; confirm current cohorts with the Board and ECC. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and campus code. Missouri’s tables can split campuses or program codes; always read the footnotes and latest PDF rather than assuming last year’s percentage still applies.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
East Central College primarily serves Missouri residents; international or foreign-educated applicants should confirm visa feasibility, clinical contracts, and transcript evaluation rules before committing to prerequisites.
- English-language proficiency: Ask ECC whether TOEFL/IELTS scores are required for selective nursing cohorts and what minimums apply.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Confirm whether ECC mandates a particular credential evaluator for foreign coursework before nursing application review.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: For RN or PN licensure through examination or endorsement, confirm eligibility and documentation with the Board independent of ECC admission.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical nursing courses require consistent placement availability; confirm with ECC whether your visa category supports required off-campus clinical hours.
Policies change frequently. Verify with East Central College admissions and the Missouri Board of Nursing; this list is guidance, not legal advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
ECC advertises selective admission for every nursing track: applicants accumulate academic points, complete a criminal background screen and drug test after acceptance, and must satisfy pathway-specific HESI rules published on ECC’s allied health pages.
Application timeline
| Pathway | Testing deadline / application artifact | Notes (examples from ECC site; confirm updates) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensure ADN (generic) | HESI A2 due December 1, 2025 (example cycle) | Composite score >75% within two years; cumulative college GPA ≥2.75; prerequisites at “C” or better. |
| LPN → RN bridge | HESI A2 + Mobility due September 1, 2025 (example cycle) | Missouri LPN license; mobility score ≥750 within two years; GPA ≥2.75. |
| Practical nursing | HESI PN-A2 due May 1, 2026 (posted application) | Reading comprehension ≥77 within two years; cumulative GPA ≥2.0; informational session required. |
| Job shadowing | Per pre-licensure application packet | ECC lists Mercy Washington, Missouri Baptist Sullivan contacts, and Phelps Health / Mid-MO AHEC resources for shadowing setups. |
Honest applicant tips: Because cohorts are small, prioritize prerequisite grades, schedule HESI early to allow retakes, and document health-care exposure in your portfolio even though ECC does not publish an acceptance rate.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | 2.75 RN programs; 2.0 practical nursing (per ECC public pages) |
| TEAS vs HESI | HESI A2 / LPN mobility / PN-A2 — not ATI TEAS |
| Clinical clearance | Drug screen + background check post-acceptance; review MSBN criminal history FAQ if you have a record |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
ECC publishes tiered per-credit tuition with separate rates by residency, plus a $41 per credit hour general-fee bundle (activity, technology, facilities, security, support services). Nursing sits in Tier 2 (RN) or Tier 3 (LPN) for Spring 2026 as summarized below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tier 2 RN (Spring 2026 tuition only) | In-district $181/cr; out-of-district $252; out-of-state $368; international $386 |
| Tier 3 LPN (Spring 2026 tuition examples) | In-district $257/cr; out-of-district $386 (see ECC tier chart for other categories) |
| General fees | $41/cr total bundle per ECC Tuition & Fees page |
| Other costs | Special/course fees, books, uniforms, travel to clinicals—budget beyond posted tuition |
| Source | East Central College — Tuition and Fees |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outside of Missouri’s board reports, ECC’s public pages link to BLS outlook data rather than guaranteeing placement percentages—plan to ask the department for graduate surveys or employer lists during your campus visit.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (Rolla vs Union) | 90.91% vs 76.47% first-time (Jan–Sep 2025, MO BON RN Report 4) |
| NCLEX-PN (Rolla campus, stated window) | 11/11 first-time passes (Jul–Sep 2025, MO BON PN Report 4) |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on ECC nursing marketing pages reviewed for this guide; ask the program for current graduate outcomes. |
| Source | Missouri Board NCLEX index; confirm newer PDFs quarterly. |
Is East Central College the Right Fit for You?
Use this checklist now that you understand ECC’s HESI rules, tiered tuition, and dual-site NCLEX reporting.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an affordable public-college pathway to RN or LPN in east-central Missouri without needing a research-university brand name.
- Can commit to intensive study loads and tolerate competitive, point-ranked admission.
- Prefer Union or Rolla access (or Washington for PN) with realistic travel to regional hospitals.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a guaranteed BSN completion on the same campus—ECC centers on associate/certificate nursing.
- Require a fully online clinical nursing program (public ECC materials emphasize on-site labs and placements).
- Expect published acceptance rates or large metro teaching-hospital cohorts comparable to urban academic centers.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Union sits along the I-44 corridor between St. Louis and Springfield, while the Rolla site anchors clinical education near Phelps Health and Missouri S&T’s STEM-heavy community—handy for students juggling jobs at regional manufacturers who still want healthcare careers.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Mercy Washington | Named by ECC for structured job-shadowing experiences for pre-licensure RN applicants. |
| Missouri Baptist Sullivan (BJC) | ECC publishes a Sullivan-based contact for shadowing coordination. |
| Phelps Health (Rolla) | Regional hospital system adjacent to ECC’s Rolla programming and frequent clinical partner in the I-44 corridor. |
| St. Louis metro systems | Within driving distance for some rotations or eventual employment after licensure, though cohort placement patterns vary. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing theory and skills laboratories are centered in the Health Science Building on Prairie Dell Road in Union, with Rolla instruction anchored at the Rolla Main Campus / Rolla Technical Center footprint described in ECC’s practical nursing materials. Student life includes broader ECC clubs and athletics, but expect nursing schedules—especially clinical weeks—to dominate evenings and weekends.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Union, MO (Main) · Rolla & Sullivan extension sites
- Main nursing office (Health Sciences)
- 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO 63084, US
- Telephone
- (636) 584-6616 (Health Sciences / Dean’s office per ECC nursing page)
- nancy.mitchell@eastcentral.edu (Dean of Health Sciences / Director of Nursing)
- Website
- eastcentral.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open the official ECC nursing (RN) and LPN pages, then download the 2025–2026 student handbook PDF linked there.
- Compare the ECC catalog prerequisite list for your pathway against your transcripts (C or better requirements).
- Schedule the correct HESI variant (A2, mobility, or PN-A2) through the Testing Center with enough lead time for a retake if needed.
- Attend the mandatory LPN informational session dates ECC posts—or email the Rolla PN director—before you finalize your application packet.
- Pre-register for ECC AcademicWorks scholarships while you await an admissions decision.
- Bookmark the Missouri Board NCLEX statistics page so you can read the next quarterly PDF when it drops.
- Contact Rolla or Union coordinators (listed on ECC’s nursing page) with questions about campus-specific clinical travel expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does East Central College offer?
East Central College offers a pre-licensure Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) at Union and Rolla, an LPN-to-RN bridge AAS at Rolla for Missouri LPNs, and a practical nursing certificate at Rolla and Washington (Four Rivers Career Center). It does not offer a traditional BSN, MSN, DNP, or accelerated BSN (ABSN) on campus.
What is East Central College’s NCLEX-RN pass rate?
According to the Missouri State Board of Nursing’s published NCLEX statistics (NCSBN Program Summary Report 4, report date October 9, 2025, first-time testers for January 1–September 30, 2025), the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 90.91% for the Rolla ADN program code (20 of 22) and 76.47% for the Union ADN program code (13 of 17). Confirm the latest cohort data with the Missouri Board of Nursing and ECC.
Does East Central College use TEAS or HESI for nursing admission?
ECC’s published nursing criteria reference HESI exams: the HESI A2 for pre-licensure RN applicants (composite >75% within the last two years), HESI LPN-to-RN mobility (750+ within the last two years for bridge applicants), and HESI PN-A2 for LPN applicants (reading comprehension 77+ within two years), per ECC’s allied health nursing pages. Confirm current cut scores and timelines in the student handbook and application packet.
What are the tuition tiers for East Central College nursing?
ECC publishes tiered per-credit tuition for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Registered Nursing is Tier 2 (for example, Spring 2026: $181/credit in-district tuition plus posted general fees). Licensed Practical Nursing is Tier 3 (Spring 2026 example: $257/credit in-district tuition plus fees). Out-of-district and out-of-state rates are higher; see ECC’s Tuition and Fees page. Confirm current totals with Financial Services.
Where do East Central College nursing students complete clinicals?
ECC references regional clinical partners in its nursing materials—for example, Mercy Washington, Missouri Baptist Sullivan, and Phelps Health—along with job-shadowing processes. Exact clinical sites can rotate by cohort; confirm current placement geography with the nursing program office.
Does East Central College offer an accelerated BSN (ABSN)?
No. Public materials describe AAS pathways to RN or LPN certificate, not an on-campus accelerated BSN (ABSN). Students planning a BSN typically transfer after RN licensure or pursue upper-division nursing elsewhere.
What GPA does East Central College require for RN vs LPN applicants?
ECC lists a cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher for RN program applicants and 2.0 or higher for practical nursing, plus prerequisite coursework at C or better unless the college updates criteria. Verify on the official nursing and LPN pages before you apply.
Does East Central College publish an NCLEX-PN pass rate for practical nursing?
The Missouri State Board’s NCLEX-PN NCSBN Program Summary Report 4 for the quarter ending September 30, 2025 reported a 100% first-time pass rate for East Central College – Rolla Campus – PN in that reporting window (11 of 11 first-time candidates). Small cohorts and quarterly reporting can shift percentages; confirm the latest PN statistics on the Missouri Board NCLEX page.
When are East Central College nursing applications due?
ECC publishes pathway-specific deadlines—examples include HESI A2 due December 1, 2025 for pre-licensure RN, September 1, 2025 targets for bridge testing, May 1, 2026 for the LPN HESI deadline referenced on ECC’s 2026 application PDF, plus future-year application PDFs with December 1, 2026 dates. Always download the current application and handbook from eastcentral.edu before you plan work or school around a date.
References
- East Central College — Nursing (RN)eastcentral.edu/allied-health/nursing
- East Central College — Licensed Practical Nursingeastcentral.edu/allied-health/licensed-practical-nursing
- East Central College — Tuition and Feeseastcentral.edu/finaid/tuition-and-fees
- Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Board of Nursing (NCLEX statistics index)pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp
- Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (PDF)NCSBN Program Summary — RN
- Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4 (PDF)NCSBN Program Summary — PN
- 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 Missouri Board NCLEX PDF alignment, published tuition tiers, HESI admissions language, and campus-specific program scope.
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 East Central College and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy