Ozarks Technical Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Costs (2026)
Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) trains nurses from its Springfield hub and centers such as Table Rock (Hollister) and Lebanon, with selective Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) tracks and a Practical Nursing certificate aligned to NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN. Official costs come from OTC’s Tuition & Fees tables and program pages; admissions rules (including HESI) come from Health Sciences Admission Information. For exam outcomes, this guide prioritizes Missouri Board of Nursing quarterly NCSBN program summaries linked from NCLEX Statistics, supplemented by OTC’s published program outcomes table.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
OTC combines simulation-heavy Health Sciences training (including the Springfield Center of Excellence for Medical Simulation) with selective HESI-based admission and a three-tier tuition schedule that varies by course and residency—always reconcile per-credit rates, mandatory fees, and the nursing program fee lines on the official Tuition & Fees page with the totals shown on each nursing program page before you budget.
Overview & Why Students Choose Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield anchors one of the busiest health care labor markets in the Ozarks, and Ozarks Technical Community College situates nursing students inside that ecosystem with a public, open-access mission on the Springfield campus plus dedicated instructional sites at Table Rock (Hollister) and Lebanon. OTC markets nursing as a selective Health Sciences division offering an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) for both Direct Entry and Completion (for licensed LPNs or qualifying paramedics) and a Practical Nursing certificate mapped to NCLEX-PN.
The Registered Nursing page states that ASN coursework at Table Rock carries ACEN continuing accreditation and that all programs remain fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Students should expect hybrid or blended delivery, remediation expectations aligned to NCLEX readiness, and extensive schedules that combine lectures, labs, simulation, and hospital-based clinicals.
For first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates by education program code, rely on the Missouri Board of Nursing quarterly NCSBN program summary PDFs linked from NCLEX Statistics (for example, 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 dated October 9, 2025). OTC’s own 2024 program outcomes tables on the Registered Nursing page (combined 98.3% NCLEX row with Completion vs. Direct Entry splits) are useful for completion and placement context—confirm cohort definitions on Student Outcomes / Right-to-Know.
Reasons students choose Ozarks Technical Community College
Springfield + regional centers
ASN Direct Entry lists cohorts in Springfield and at Table Rock; Practical Nursing also runs from Lebanon, letting students match Instructional sites to where they live.
LPN/paramedic bridge compression
ASN Completion offers licensed LPNs or paramedics a 32-week nursing sequence after prerequisites, with hybrid scheduling and top-24 seat selections per round.
Published transparency on exams
OTC publishes HESI windows, TOEFL 83/26 speaking requirements for nursing, behavioral assessment steps for PN, and clear notices that graduation does not guarantee NCLEX eligibility.
Simulation-forward facilities
Health Sciences students train in OTC’s Center of Excellence for Medical Simulation on the Springfield campus—high-fidelity spaces that complement hospital clinicals.
Tiered tuition clarity
The Tuition & Fees hub lists three instructional tiers by residency plus mandatory per-credit and per-semester fees, alongside nursing-specific program fee rows.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects OTC’s Health Services catalog and linked Registered Nursing / Practical Nursing pages. OTC awards an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN); that credential meets the same pre-licensure RN role as the ADN label many states use, and Missouri Board reports label the Springfield program MO – Ozarks Technical Community College – ADN. OTC does not advertise a standalone BSN—plan for RN-to-BSN transfer after licensure if you need a bachelor’s.
Pre-licensure — Practical Nursing (LPN)
Practical Nursing certificate
OTC lists a 49 credit hour, two-semester, selective-admission certificate with estimated total cost $11,628–$14,734 before books. Instructional activities occur on Springfield, Table Rock (10698 Historic Hwy 165, Hollister), or Lebanon (22360 Hwy MM) per the Health Sciences admissions page. Graduates pursue NCLEX-PN; all tracks are fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Pre-licensure — Associate of Science in Nursing (Direct Entry)
ASN Direct Entry (hybrid/blended)
The Registered Nursing page cites 65 credits across four semesters with published totals near $15,771–$19,925 depending on residency band. Direct Entry admits Springfield cohorts on blended day, evening/weekend hybrid, and summer schedules and adds a Table Rock Day Hybrid start (for example, August 2026 with a May 1, 2026 application deadline on the admissions grid). Coursework mixes online components with in-person labs, simulation, and clinicals.
Career-bridge ASN Completion (LPN or Paramedic)
ASN Completion
For applicants who already hold an unencumbered Missouri or compact LPN license or an active Missouri/paramedic national license per OTC rules. The admissions page explains rolling deadlines (February 15, April 15, July 15, September 15, December 1) tied to August, October, and March starts, a 32-week nursing sequence after prerequisites, and HESI sign-up processes. OTC graduates from Practical Nursing must pass NCLEX-PN within 90 days of PN completion to remain in ASN if they entered without an LPN license.
Health Sciences applicants must clear criminal background checks, meet immunization and CPR requirements, and understand that clinical sites—not OTC—set additional rules. Clinical assignments follow Missouri Board minimum standards; students generally cannot assume every rotation will occur next door to their home ZIP code.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Missouri Board of Nursing NCSBN education program summary titled “2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4” (report date October 9, 2025; data through September 30, 2025), the line MO – Ozarks Technical Community College – ADN (US17403500) for Springfield shows 35 first-time NCLEX-RN candidates with 34 passing, a 97.14% first-time pass rate for the totals column in that publication.
The companion line MO – Ozarks Technical Community College Entry Level ADN Program (US17408400) in Hollister lists 2 candidates, 2 passed (100%)—a small cohort; interpret cautiously. These program codes correspond to the Board’s breakdown of OTC’s pre-licensure ASN tracks.
Supplemental school disclosure: OTC’s Registered Nursing page displays a 2024 outcomes table reporting a combined ASN 98.3% NCLEX pass rate with separate Completion (100%) and Direct Entry (94.74%) rows, plus completion and job placement percentages—verify how OTC defines each metric on Student Outcomes / Right-to-Know.
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
In “2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4” (same Board index), MO – Ozarks Technical Community College (US17109800) for Springfield shows 63 first-time testers with 62 passes (98.41%), MO – Ozarks Technical College – Lebanon (US17102000) shows 19/19 (100%), and MO – Ozarks Technical College – Table Rock (US17106400) lists 1/1 (100%) within the quarters captured.
| Program (MO BON label) | First-time pass rate | Tested / passed |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield ADN (US17403500) | 97.14% | 35 tested / 34 passed (2025 Q3 RN Rpt 4) |
| Hollister Entry Level ADN (US17408400) | 100% | 2 / 2 (same report; small n) |
| Springfield PN (US17109800) | 98.41% | 63 / 62 (2025 Q3 PN Rpt 4) |
| Lebanon PN (US17102000) | 100% | 19 / 19 |
| Source | 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (PDF); 2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4 (PDF); index pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp. Confirm newer quarters with the Board and OTC. | |
NCLEX data in Board PDFs updates as NCSBN refreshes quarterly files; small test-taker counts can swing percentages. Always confirm the latest release before making application decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
OTC’s Tuition & Fees page includes an International Required Tuition and Fees link distinct from Missouri residency tiers. Nursing admissions pages already specify TOEFL iBT 83 overall with 26 speaking for applicants whose primary language is not English, with professional testing-center administration only—mirror those thresholds if you are an international applicant and confirm any extra OTC international-office steps.
- English proficiency: Submit TOEFL results with nursing applications per Health Sciences rules; scores valid five years.
- Credential evaluation: Work with OTC Admissions on foreign transcripts for prerequisites; nursing may require course-by-course review.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: Confirm NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS, and endorsement expectations at pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.
- Visa & clinical contracts: F-1 students may face limits on practicum placement; verify with OTC International Services and Health Sciences before enrolling.
- DACA notice: OTC states it cannot guarantee licensure exam approval for DACA students—contact the applicable licensing agency early.
This section is guidance only—not legal, immigration, or licensure advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Every OTC nursing pathway—Practical Nursing, ASN Direct Entry, and ASN Completion—uses selective admission through apply.otc.edu. Completing general admission does not guarantee a seat in clinical nursing courses. Use the Health Sciences Admission Information accordion, the PDF Candidate Selection forms, and emailed guidance from healthsciences@otc.edu as your live sources.
Practical Nursing highlights
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Deadlines (2025–26 materials) | Springfield fall start: apply by May 1; Table Rock October B-block start: September 1; Springfield & Lebanon January starts plus Springfield Advanced Hybrid: October 1. Must complete HESI before submitting a complete application. |
| HESI minimum | 70% overall required to be considered; two attempts per testing window (Feb 1–May 1 and July 1–Dec 1); exams may be seated or online per Testing Services. |
| Other steps | Preadmission sciences, references, behavioral assessment invitation via Canvas (Advanced Hybrid exempt), optional work verification for Advanced Hybrid track. |
ASN Direct Entry highlights
Applicants complete prerequisites with grades of C or better (limited two-attempt rule), sit for HESI during the published cycles, and meet the deadline grid published for each cohort (for example, November 1, 2025 for a January 2026 Springfield day-blended start). Anatomy & physiology older than five years requires Health Sciences approval. Watch for Table Rock-specific deadlines such as May 1, 2026 for an August 2026 hybrid start.
ASN Completion highlights
Licensed LPNs or paramedics apply on the February/April/July/September/December cycle described above, submit licensure proof, sit for HESI (paramedics may follow OTC’s exemption note for certain exam steps), and compete for one of 24 seats per selection round.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Entrance exam | HESI Admission Assessment for OTC nursing pathways described here (not TEAS on current pages). |
| Health Sciences office | 417-447-8803 · healthsciences@otc.edu |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
OTC’s Tuition & Fees hub lists three instructional tiers by residency. Example in-district instructional rates are $140 (Tier I), $153 (Tier II), and $163 (Tier III) per credit; out-of-district lines run $206–$225 and out-of-state lines $263–$284 before mandatory fees. Nursing courses typically map to the higher tiers—confirm each course’s tier code on the Tier Tuition Courses reference.
Required fees published on the same page include a $52 registration fee each semester, plus per-credit charges: $17 student, $20 technology, $5 facilities and infrastructure, $4 security, and $1 student engagement. Nursing also carries program-level charges such as $2,634 (ASN Direct Entry), $2,628 (other ASN line on the table), and $1,629 (Practical Nursing) under Health Sciences Programs Fees.
For budgeting shortcuts, OTC lists rounded totals on program pages—approximately $15,765–$19,919 for ASN Completion, $15,771–$19,925 for ASN Direct Entry, and $11,628–$14,734 for Practical Nursing—with footnotes tying figures to trustee-approved rates and in- vs. out-of-district residency.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-district instructional (Tiers I–III) | $140 / $153 / $163 per credit |
| Out-of-district | $206 / $215 / $225 per credit |
| Out-of-state | $263 / $275 / $284 per credit |
| Mandatory fees (partial list) | $52 registration/semester + $47/credit bundled student/technology/facilities/security/engagement fees |
| Nursing program fees | $2,634 ASN Direct Entry; $2,628 ASN program fee line; $1,629 Practical Nursing (per tuition page) |
| Source | Ozarks Technical Community College — Tuition & Fees; Cost of Attendance; program pages. Call 417-447-4827 for Student Account Services. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
OTC’s Registered Nursing page displays 2024 program outcome metrics—for example, a consolidated 98.3% NCLEX pass rate row alongside ASN Completion (100% NCLEX, 88% completion, 100% placement reported) and ASN Direct Entry (94.74% NCLEX, 76% completion, 100% placement reported). The Practical Nursing page links to Student Outcomes / Right-to-Know for institution-wide dashboards and highlights such as 100% of 2024 PN graduates passing certification exams within six graduation months (per marketing tiles on that page).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (Springfield ADN, MO BON) | 97.14% first-time, 34/35 testers (2025 Q3 RN Report 4) |
| NCLEX-RN (school table, 2024) | 98.3% combined ASN rate; 100% Completion / 94.74% Direct Entry breakout on OTC Registered Nursing page |
| NCLEX-PN (Springfield, MO BON) | 98.41% first-time, 62/63 testers (2025 Q3 PN Report 4) |
| Job placement | OTC ASN table lists 100% placement for both Completion and Direct Entry in the 2024 snapshot—confirm methodology with the institutional research office. |
| Source | OTC Registered Nursing; Missouri BON PDFs cited in the NCLEX section. |
Confirm current licensure exam outcomes with the Missouri Board of Nursing and OTC Health Sciences.
Is Ozarks Technical Community College the Right Fit for You?
Ozarks Tech fits learners who thrive in fast-paced hybrid coursework, can meet HESI, behavioral assessment, and immunization gates, and want regional clinical placements anchored in the Springfield metro and neighboring communities.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Plan to live in or commute to Springfield, Hollister/Branson, or Lebanon while attending posted cohorts.
- Want a public two-year price point with transparent tiered tuition tables and identifiable nursing program fees.
- Need either an LPN certification in about one year or an ASN with clear bridge options for working LPNs or paramedics.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect 100% asynchronous online pre-licensure nursing—OTC still requires regular on-site labs, simulation, and clinical days.
- Want a BSN without transferring—OTC does not list a BSN completion.
- Cannot commit to 12-hour clinical shifts, remediation, or strict professional behavior policies.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Springfield is the economic and referral hub for southwest Missouri: major employers include CoxHealth, Mercy Springfield, the US VA outpatient footprint, pediatric specialty groups, behavioral health centers, and a dense network of federally qualified health centers, long-term care operators, home health agencies, and school systems stretching toward Branson, Joplin, and the Lake area.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute & specialty | Large multi-hospital systems anchor graduate medical education, trauma, oncology, and cardiac services—creating varied clinical learning opportunities when OTC assigns rotations. |
| Community & rural | Critical-access hospitals, rural health clinics, and skilled nursing sites throughout the southern Missouri corridor supply med-surg and chronic-care experiences. |
| Demand signal | Track hiring velocity via Missouri Hospital Association workforce bulletins, Show-Me Health Careers data, and live hospital job portals rather than relying on generalized statements. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Ozarks Tech hosts more than 30 student clubs and celebrates new student spaces such as the Michael L. Parson Student Union opening on the Springfield campus in 2026. Nursing-specific experiences emphasize simulation suites in the Center of Excellence for Medical Simulation, skills laboratories aligned to ASN/PN competencies, and informational webinars or campus visits advertised through Health Sciences.
Because cohorts blend hybrid coursework with in-person intensives, expect significant time on campus for labs and standardized assessments even when lecture content is online. Student support includes OTC’s broader student success offices (Student Success) alongside Health Sciences advising.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & nursing offices
- Springfield campus
- Springfield, MO
- Address
- 1001 East Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802, US
- General information
- 417-447-7500
- Health Sciences (applications)
- 417-447-8803 · healthsciences@otc.edu
- ASN program directors (examples)
- Springfield Direct Entry 417-447-7626; Table Rock 417-447-2642 (see Registered Nursing page for updates)
- Practical Nursing directors (examples)
- Springfield 417-447-8847; Table Rock 417-447-2643; Lebanon 417-447-6609
- Student Accounts
- 417-447-4827
- Website
- ozarkstech.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open your track’s PDF Candidate Selection Form from the Health Sciences admission page and list every prerequisite with OTC course numbers.
- Register for a Health Sciences information session or replay the archived nursing advising video Practical Nursing applicants are directed to watch.
- Schedule HESI through OTC Testing Services inside the published window and budget $75 online / $45 seated (per Practical Nursing admission accordion).
- Build a cost model using the Tuition & Fees tier chart, per-credit fees, and nursing program fee lines, then compare to the totals on your program page.
- Start or update the FAFSA and confirm OTC’s federal school code on the Financial Aid hub.
- Download the newest Missouri Board NCLEX quarterly PDFs that contain OTC’s program codes and store them with your research notes.
- Email healthsciences@otc.edu with clarifying questions about cohort capacity, Table Rock vs. Springfield differences, and immunization documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ozarks Technical Community College offer a BSN on campus?
No. OTC lists pre-licensure pathways through an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and a Practical Nursing certificate. A bachelor’s is typically completed after RN licensure via an RN-to-BSN program at a four-year school; use OTC articulation agreements for transfer planning.
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does Missouri publish for Ozarks Technical Community College Springfield?
In the Missouri Board of Nursing’s 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (NCSBN program summary, report date October 9, 2025), the Springfield ADN line (MO – Ozarks Technical Community College – ADN, US17403500) shows 35 first-time candidates with 34 passing, a 97.14% pass rate for the year-to-date totals published in that file. Confirm newer quarters on pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp.
Does Ozarks Technical Community College use TEAS or HESI for nursing?
OTC’s Health Sciences materials describe the HESI Admission Assessment for ASN Direct Entry and Completion applicants (two annual testing cycles) and for Practical Nursing, where a 70% overall minimum score is required. Follow the instructions released with your online application.
When are Ozarks Technical Community College Practical Nursing applications due?
According to the Health Sciences admission accordion: Springfield fall cohorts—May 1; Table Rock October B-block—September 1; Springfield & Lebanon January cohorts plus Springfield Advanced Hybrid—October 1. You cannot submit a complete application until HESI results are on file.
How much is tuition at Ozarks Technical Community College for nursing students?
OTC publishes tiered per-credit tuition ($140–$163 in-district Tiers I–III on the Tuition & Fees page) plus mandatory fees and separate nursing program fees ($2,634 ASN Direct Entry, $1,629 Practical Nursing, etc.). Program marketing pages round total estimates near $15.8K–$19.9K for ASN and $11.6K–$14.7K for PN before books.
Where does Ozarks Technical Community College teach nursing?
ASN Direct Entry lists Springfield and Table Rock (Hollister) cohorts. ASN Completion uses hybrid tracks for LPNs or paramedics. Practical Nursing lists seated activities in Springfield, Hollister, and Lebanon per the admission page.
Is Ozarks Technical Community College’s ASN program ACEN-accredited?
OTC’s Registered Nursing page states the ASN at the Table Rock campus holds ACEN continuing accreditation and that Missouri State Board of Nursing approves the programs. Practical Nursing tracks are described as Board-approved. Re-verify with ACEN and MSBN before enrolling.
What is Ozarks Technical Community College ASN Completion?
It is OTC’s accelerated ASN option for licensed LPNs or qualifying paramedics, delivered in a hybrid format with multiple annual deadlines, up to 24 seats per round, and HESI requirements spelled out on the admission page.
Does Ozarks Technical Community College publish job placement for nursing?
Yes—the Registered Nursing page’s 2024 outcomes table lists completion, NCLEX, and job placement percentages by track, and Practical Nursing links to Student Outcomes / Right-to-Know for supplemental metrics. Always ask OTC how each percentage is defined.
Who do I contact for Ozarks Technical Community College Health Sciences nursing applications?
The admission hub lists 417-447-8803 and healthsciences@otc.edu. Individual ASN and PN program directors publish direct lines on their program pages if you need faculty-specific guidance.
References
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Health Servicesozarkstech.edu/programs/health-services
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Registered Nursing (ASN)ozarkstech.edu/programs/health-services/registered-nursing
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Practical Nursingozarkstech.edu/programs/health-services/practical-nursing
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Health Sciences Admission Informationozarkstech.edu/…/admission-information
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Tuition & Feesozarkstech.edu/cost-aid/tuition-fees
- Ozarks Technical Community College — Student Outcomes / Right-to-Knowozarkstech.edu/student-outcomes-right-to-know
- Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX Statistics indexpr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp
- Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 (PDF)2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4.pdf
- Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4 (PDF)2025 Quarter 3 PN Report 4.pdf
- Missouri Board of Nursing — main portalpr.mo.gov/nursing.asp
- 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, with emphasis on OTC Health Sciences program pages, the March 2026 tuition schedule on ozarkstech.edu, Missouri Board of Nursing 2025 Q3 RN/PN Report 4 PDFs, and candidate-selection PDFs linked from OTC admissions.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and Board rules change; verify with Ozarks Technical Community College and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy