Goldfarb School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Private nursing college on the Washington University Medical Center campus in St. Louis, with BJC HealthCare partnerships, multiple BSN entry paths, graduate NP and nurse anesthesia programs, and doctoral options—including a PhD offered with Washington University.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Goldfarb Hall and the Clinical Simulation Institute sit on the Washington University Medical Center campus next to Barnes-Jewish Hospital, so pre-licensure students train steps away from a major academic medical center and BJC HealthCare's flagship facilities—plus access to scholarships such as the BJC Full-Ride Scholars Program for eligible undergraduates.
Overview & Why Students Choose Goldfarb
Founded in 1902 as Jewish Hospital School of Nursing, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College today operates as a private, specialized nursing college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with nursing programs accredited by CCNE at the baccalaureate, master's, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate levels, and the nurse anesthesia concentration additionally accredited by COA. The main campus—Goldfarb Hall—sits on the Washington University Medical Center campus in St. Louis, adjacent to Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
Undergraduate pathways include an Accelerated BSN for career changers who already hold a bachelor's in another field, an Upper Division track for transfers with 54 earned credits, a Weekend Evening Option for part-time study, and a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program. Graduate students can pursue MSN NP concentrations, leadership and educator roles, a broad DNP portfolio including nurse anesthesia, post-master's DNP options, and a research PhD in Nursing Science delivered in collaboration with Washington University.
According to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration's published 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (NCSBN education program summary linked from the Board's NCLEX page), the Goldfarb BSN program's combined first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the periods in that report was 88.07% (192 passed of 218 first-time testers). Goldfarb's Student Consumer Information page also posts quarterly first-time pass-rate snapshots for internal tracking. Always confirm the newest PDF cohort tables with the Missouri Board of Nursing and the school.
Reasons students choose Goldfarb
Academic medical center access
Clinical rotations and leadership projects routinely connect students with BJC HealthCare flagship sites such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the broader St. Louis hospital community.
Simulation infrastructure
The Clinical Simulation Institute includes six labs modeled after med-surg, OR, critical care, maternal, and pediatric settings for repetitive, low-risk skills practice.
Stacked graduate portfolio
Beyond the BSN, Goldfarb offers MSN NP tracks, DNP concentrations (including CRNA), post-master's certificates, and a collaborative PhD pathway.
Scholarship depth
Goldfarb markets the BJC Full-Ride Scholars Program for qualifying undergraduates plus institutional scholarships; FAFSA code 006389.
Missouri Board approval
The college lists full approval from the Missouri State Board of Nursing, pairing with transparent NCLEX reporting on the Board's site.
Nursing Programs Offered
The listings below mirror Goldfarb's public bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate pages as of this update. Nursing courses blend on-campus instruction with regional practica; confirm delivery mode, sequencing, and prerequisite science timelines with your advisor because pathways differ.
Pre-licensure & undergraduate completion
Accelerated BSN
One-year intensive curriculum for students who already completed a bachelor's degree outside nursing; prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN eligibility.
Upper Division BSN
For transfer students who have accumulated 54 semester hours at a regionally accredited college; completes the professional nursing core after general education and prerequisites.
Weekend Evening Option (WEO)
Part-time BSN track tailored to working adults who have finished prerequisites and need evening/weekend coursework.
RN-to-BSN
Fully online BSN completion; Goldfarb states it can be finished in about one year for working RNs.
Graduate (post-BSN)
MSN concentrations
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP, Family NP, Health Systems Nurse Leadership, Nurse Educator, and School Nurse tracks.
Post-graduate APRN certificates
Certificate programming aligned with acute care, primary care, and family NP specialties for master's-prepared nurses.
Doctoral & research
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentrations include Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA), AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP, Health Systems Executive Nurse Leadership, and Post-MSN DNP routes. Goldfarb's public doctoral page cites a U.S. News & World Report "Best Nursing-Anesthesia School" ranking for 2024; treat rankings as one signal and confirm details on the publisher's site.
PhD in Nursing Science
Research doctorate delivered with Washington University mentorship; admission is coordinated between institutions.
NCLEX eligibility, specialty certification, and clinical hour totals differ by track. Review the official catalog, handbook, and Missouri State Board of Nursing status statements whenever Goldfarb revises a plan of study.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Division of Professional Registration NCLEX-RN school report titled "2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4" (program summary for first-time candidates, linked from the Board's Nursing Education & NCLEX page), Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College (BS program) recorded a 88.07% first-time pass rate, with 192 candidates passing out of 218 first-time tests combined across the calendar quarters captured in that PDF. When newer quarters post, they will appear in subsequent "RN Report 4" files on the same index.
Separately, Goldfarb's Student Consumer Information page lists quarterly first-time pass percentages (for example 90.79% in Q2 2023 through 96.43% in Q1 2024) using the college's internal definition—helpful for trend context but not a substitute for the Board's cumulative program report.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN program) | 88.07% (192/218 first-time testers per MO "2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4") |
| Source (Missouri Board) | pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp → PDF "2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4." Confirm superseding quarters on the same index. |
| Supplemental disclosure | Goldfarb Student Consumer Information (quarterly snapshots). |
Pass rates move with each graduating class. Always verify the newest Board PDFs and any conditional approval letters with the Missouri State Board of Nursing and Goldfarb's nursing administration.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Goldfarb maintains an International Admissions resource. Use the checklist below as a starting point only—this is general guidance, not legal or licensure advice.
- English proficiency: Goldfarb's Apply FAQ notes international applicants whose prior instruction was not in English must submit a passing TOEFL or IELTS score; confirm minimums for your program.
- Credential evaluation: Request official transcripts and any required international evaluations per the International Admissions office.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: Whether you complete a Missouri pre-licensure program or hold foreign nursing education, confirm NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS/VISA screen requirements, and endorsement steps with the Board.
- Visa & clinical compliance: F-1 status, CPT/OPT rules, and clinical site credentialing can limit placement timing; coordinate with both admissions and international student services early.
Policies change frequently. Verify every requirement with Goldfarb's admissions team, the International Office, U.S. immigration counsel as needed, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Goldfarb reviews undergraduate applications as they arrive and closes a cohort once seats fill, so files should be complete well before the posted deadlines. Required materials generally include the Slate application, official transcripts from every college attended, and—if applicable—international credentials and proof of English proficiency. Faculty may request additional documentation after an initial file review.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer (undergraduate) | April 10 | Listed on bachelor's program pages alongside fall deadline. |
| Fall (undergraduate) | July 31 | Also mirrored on Apply hub for graduate programs. |
| Rolling nuance | ~1 month pre-term | Apply FAQ: submit about one month before classes start; FAFSA priority for state aid Feb 1. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA / prerequisites | Confirm current science GPA and prerequisite grids with the Undergraduate Admissions office and Transfer Guide. |
| TEAS / HESI | Goldfarb's Apply FAQ states the college does not require an entrance exam; reconfirm for your pathway if policies update. |
| StraighterLine sciences | Undergraduate admissions note core science prerequisites via StraighterLine must finish before Jan 1, 2026 to count. |
Applicant tips
Because Goldfarb sits inside a major medical district, emphasize any prior patient-care exposure, multilingual skills, or leadership in your narrative—even volunteer work helps reviewers see clinical maturity. Request transcripts early and budget time for official chemistry and biology labs to post. If you are BJC staff, ask financial aid about tuition reimbursement and the documented 20% discount referenced on Goldfarb's aid pages.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Goldfarb publishes a detailed 2025–2026 grid on its Tuition & Fees page. Amounts below are per credit hour unless noted; the college reserves the right to adjust rates.
| Program / category | 2025–2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing | $789 per credit |
| RN-to-BSN | $475 per credit |
| Master of Science in Nursing | $834 per credit |
| Postgraduate certificate | $834 per credit |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice | $834 per credit + $116 DNP course surcharge (per schedule) |
| Program & course fees | Additional per-term or per-program fees apply (accelerated, upper division, WEO, RN-BSN, each MSN track, DNP, etc.); see same page for line-item amounts. |
| Cost of attendance | Goldfarb builds COA on a 12-month, three-term cycle—see the linked Cost of Attendance explainer for housing and indirect costs. |
| Source | Tuition & Fees (Goldfarb) and Cost of Attendance. |
Goldfarb also highlights the BJC Full-Ride Scholars Program, Missouri grant programs (Bright Flight, Fast Track, etc.), institutional scholarships, and federal Title IV aid processed with school code 006389.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics should always be read with the definitions supplied by the institution. Goldfarb publishes completion, retention, NCLEX, and employment tables on its Student Consumer Information page; excerpts below come directly from that disclosure.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 88.07% (192/218 testers) per Missouri Board "2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4." |
| BSN completion (150% normal time, 2023) | Consumer tables list Accelerated cohort completion at 92% (Spring), 89% (Summer), and 85% (Fall), Upper Division at 95%/86%/86%, with an "Average BSN Completion" figure of 89% on the same disclosure. |
| Graduate employment (survey-based) | Student Consumer Information reports 100% employment for surveyed Acute Care, Primary Care, and CRNA graduates in 2021–2023 based on exit surveys/self-report to program directors—confirm definitions and response rates with Goldfarb. |
| Sources | Student Consumer Information; Missouri Board NCLEX reports. |
Is Goldfarb the Right Fit for You?
Goldfarb trades the classic "liberal arts quad" experience for an unapologetically clinical, hospital-adjacent education. Use the lists below to gauge fit before you commit to St. Louis living costs and an accelerated calendar.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Thrive in high-acuity teaching hospitals and want immediate proximity to Barnes-Jewish and BJC facilities.
- Need multiple BSN entry ramps (accelerated, transfer, evenings/weekends) or an online RN-BSN ladder.
- Plan to continue into APRN, nurse anesthesia, leadership, or research doctoral training without leaving the BJC ecosystem.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Prefer a broad undergraduate campus experience far from tertiary care intensity.
- Require the lowest published in-state public tuition; private per-credit rates are higher even with scholarships.
- Need a strictly online pre-licensure pathway—Goldfarb's NCLEX-eligible BSN tracks remain largely face-to-face in St. Louis.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
St. Louis remains a regional referral hub for complex oncology, transplant, pediatrics, trauma, and community clinics stretching into Illinois. Goldfarb's marketing emphasizes collaboration with BJC HealthCare, placing students inside one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the United States. Exact rotation sites shift with preceptor availability, but expect heavy exposure to academic medical center units.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Barnes-Jewish Hospital | Flagship adult quaternary hospital adjoining the medical campus; common site for advanced clinical immersion. |
| St. Louis Children's Hospital | Pediatric specialty partner within the BJC/Washington University pediatric network. |
| BJC HealthCare affiliates | Community hospitals and ambulatory networks across eastern Missouri for longitudinal experiences. |
| Regional public health | Community nursing coursework taps city/county agencies addressing social determinants in urban St. Louis. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Goldfarb Hall—opened in 2007—houses 200-seat auditoriums, mid-size classrooms, seminar rooms, and the Clinical Simulation Institute with six high-fidelity labs patterned after inpatient units, OR, ICU, and maternal-child settings, per the college's consumer disclosure. Student life is understandably nursing-centric: expect tight cohort bonds, skills lab hours, and simulation drills rather than traditional Greek life.
Support offices (admissions, financial aid, registration, multicultural services) coordinate through the Dean of Students pathway described on Goldfarb's student information hub. Ask current students how they balance clinical commute times across the bi-state metro.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- St. Louis, MO (Washington University Medical Center)
- Address
- 4483 Duncan Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110, US
- Telephone
- 314-454-7055 (admissions; toll-free 800-832-9009)
- Contact email
- admissions@barnesjewishcollege.edu
- Website
- barnesjewishcollege.edu
Official links
Your "Next 7 Days" checklist
- Download the latest academic calendar and the application instructions for your pathway.
- Compare your transcripts to the Transfer Guide; order official transcripts from every institution listed.
- Re-read Goldfarb's admissions FAQ: confirm whether any entrance exam applies to you (public materials currently state no entrance exam).
- File or refresh the FAFSA using school code 006389 before Missouri's February priority date for state grants.
- Book a call or campus visit with admissions (314-454-7055) and draft questions about clinical sites, shift expectations, and COVID-era placement stability.
- Pull the newest Missouri Board NCLEX PDF (Report 4) to see updated tester counts after Goldfarb's next graduations.
- Add the April 10 / July 31 deadlines (or your graduate deadlines) to your calendar with reminder alerts one month early.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN pass rate does Missouri report for Goldfarb's BSN program?
The Missouri Division of Professional Registration's "2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4" lists an 88.07% first-time pass rate (192 of 218 testers) for Goldfarb's BS program across the periods captured in that PDF. Download newer Report 4 files as the Board publishes them.
How much is Goldfarb tuition in 2025–2026?
The Tuition & Fees page shows $789 per credit for the pre-licensure BSN, $475 for RN-to-BSN, and $834 per credit for MSN, postgraduate certificate, and DNP coursework, plus a $116 DNP course surcharge and separate program fees.
Does Goldfarb require TEAS or HESI?
Goldfarb's Apply FAQ currently states the college does not require an entrance exam alongside transcript policies. Always confirm for your specific program in case requirements change.
When are undergraduate nursing applications due?
The bachelor's hub lists April 10 for summer entry and July 31 for fall entry; Apply also notes submitting about one month before the term begins.
Is Goldfarb CCNE-accredited?
Yes—Goldfarb's accreditation page states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, master's, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs, plus COA accreditation for nurse anesthesia.
Can I finish RN-to-BSN online while working?
Goldfarb describes RN-to-BSN as online and advertises completion in about one year for working RNs; verify pacing with an advisor.
Where will I complete clinicals?
Expect rotations anchored around BJC HealthCare's St. Louis hospitals—notably Barnes-Jewish and pediatric partners—plus community agencies; cohort assignments vary.
What employment outcomes does Goldfarb publish?
Student Consumer Information tables cite 100% employment among surveyed Acute Care, Primary Care, and CRNA master's graduates for 2021–2023 based on exit surveys and self-report; understand the survey methodology before comparing to NCLEX statistics.
Does Goldfarb offer nurse anesthesia or PMHNP training?
The doctoral section lists DNP Nurse Anesthesia (COA-accredited) and a Psychiatric Mental Health NP track among other DNP concentrations.
References
- Goldfarb — bachelor's nursing overviewbarnesjewishcollege.edu/bachelors-degree
- Goldfarb — tuition & fees (2025–2026)barnesjewishcollege.edu/financial-aid/tuition-expenses
- Goldfarb — student consumer information (NCLEX snapshots, completion, employment)barnesjewishcollege.edu/about/student-consumer-information
- Goldfarb — accreditationbarnesjewishcollege.edu/about/accreditation
- Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Nursing Education & NCLEX (index to PDF reports)pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp
- Missouri — 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (program-level first-time pass PDF)2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4.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: Reviewed for NCLEX alignment with Missouri Division of Professional Registration PDFs, 2025–2026 tuition figures on Goldfarb's site, and program lists on official bachelor's, master's, and doctoral pages.
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 Goldfarb and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-27 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy