Oklahoma State University Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
Stillwater-based pre-licensure BSN, online RN-to-BSN completion, and a graduate certificate in nursing leadership—plus Board-reported NCLEX-RN outcomes for the OSU–Stillwater pre-licensure program. Confirm every requirement and cost with OSU and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
OSU’s Stillwater nursing pathway pairs a newer on-campus BSN with a long-running online RN-to-BSN completion option and a graduate nursing leadership certificate—while the Oklahoma Board of Nursing lists separate NCLEX-RN program lines for Oklahoma State University – Stillwater versus Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City. Always match outcomes data to the exact campus and program you are researching.
Overview & Why Students Choose Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University’s nursing offerings sit in the College of Education and Human Sciences and emphasize rural and urban clinical immersion around Stillwater, Tulsa, and Oklahoma City partners. The flagship pre-licensure BSN on the Stillwater campus is relatively new in university history (launched to expand Oklahoma’s BSN pipeline), while the online RN-to-BSN serves working RNs statewide. OSU also hosts an HCA Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate for nurses pursuing formal leadership coursework—not a full MSN or DNP program listing on the department’s undergraduate-focused portal.
If you need NCLEX-RN context for OSU, use the program name exactly as the Oklahoma Board of Nursing publishes it: “Oklahoma State University – Stillwater” for the Stillwater BSN line is separate from “Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City,” which reflects associate-level nursing at OSU-OKC with its own outcomes.
According to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing First-Time NCLEX-RN Candidate Ten-Year Pass Rate Percentage by Calendar Year table (NCLEX-RN ten-year pass rates PDF), the calendar-year 2025 first-time pass rate for Oklahoma State University – Stillwater was 85.00%, with 20 first-time candidates listed for 2025. Earlier calendar years show N/A for this row in the same document. Confirm the latest cohort with the Board and OSU.
Reasons students choose OSU for nursing
Board-visible Stillwater NCLEX line
You can track “Oklahoma State University – Stillwater” directly in Oklahoma’s published NCLEX-RN tables rather than relying on informal claims.
Rural + urban clinical mix
OSU highlights partnerships that expose students to Stillwater Medical Center, OSU Medical Center–Tulsa, Integris, and Saint Francis for diverse caseloads.
Mary K. Chapman Nursing Simulation Laboratory
High-fidelity simulation space supports skills and safety drills before clinicals; OSU public materials reference a 2025-focused renovation.
Online RN-to-BSN flexibility
Licensed RNs can complete the baccalaureate online via short terms while working—distinct from the Stillwater pre-licensure pace.
Leadership certificate pathway
The HCA Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate stacks graduate nursing leadership courses for experienced RNs considering management roles.
Nursing Programs Offered
Programs below are limited to pathways described on official OSU nursing and OSU Online pages. OSU does not list generic MSN, DNP, or PhD nursing practice degrees alongside these offerings on the undergraduate nursing hub—graduate nursing students typically pursue the leadership certificate or other OSU graduate programs outside traditional “MSN APRN” framing.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Stillwater)
Students complete lower-division prerequisites and a competitive secondary application to enter the professional nursing sequence on the Stillwater campus. Coursework blends theory, lab, simulation, and roughly 600 clinical hours in rural and metropolitan sites per OSU’s public program summary.
Post-licensure
RN-to-BSN (BS degree completion)
Designed for RNs who already passed NCLEX-RN, this completion program runs fully online with multiple start terms. Admission requires an active license, accredited ADN/diploma, and GPA thresholds outlined on the RN-to-BSN admission page.
Graduate (certificate)
HCA Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate
Four leadership-focused courses (fiscal management, employee management, delivery systems, administrative leadership) aligned with professional nursing-management competencies. Applicants apply through OSU’s Graduate College.
Associate-degree nursing at OSU–Oklahoma City appears as a separate Oklahoma Board of Nursing program line with its own pass-rate history. This page centers on the Stillwater baccalaureate pathway and the university-wide RN-to-BSN and leadership certificate offerings unless you explicitly research the OKC program.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s downloadable First-Time NCLEX-RN Candidate Ten-Year Pass Rate Percentage by Calendar Year report, the most recent calendar-year first-time pass rate published for Oklahoma State University – Stillwater is 85.00% in 2025, with 20 first-time candidates counted in the accompanying “2025 Candidates” column. Prior calendar-year cells for this program show N/A in the same table, reflecting limited or non-reported history in those years rather than a numeric pass rate.
The board separately reports outcomes for Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City; those percentages apply to that approved program, not the Stillwater BSN line.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Program name (OK BON table) | Oklahoma State University – Stillwater |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 85.00% (calendar year 2025, per OK BON PDF) |
| First-time candidates (2025 column) | 20 listed |
| Source | Oklahoma Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN ten-year pass rates. Confirm current data with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and OSU Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes shift by cohort and program site. Always verify the program row name (Stillwater vs Oklahoma City) before comparing schools.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and foreign-educated nurses must reconcile OSU admission rules, clinical clearance requirements, and Oklahoma Board of Nursing licensure steps. Treat the bullets below as a checklist only.
- English proficiency: confirm required exams and minimum scores with OSU Undergraduate Admissions / Graduate College.
- Credential evaluation: determine whether WES, CGFNS, or another evaluator is required for transcripts.
- Oklahoma Board of Nursing: clarify NCLEX eligibility, endorsement, and any supplemental education mandates for international credentials.
- Visas & clinical placements: ensure your visa status supports required practicum or clinical experiences.
Policies change frequently. This section is guidance, not legal advice—confirm with OSU’s international office and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN (Stillwater): Admission to the professional nursing sequence is competitive. OSU’s published BSN admission overview requires completing roughly 58 semester hours of prerequisites with at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA, a grade of “C” or better in each prerequisite, and a HESI A2 composite of 75 or higher across specified subject modules. Applicants also submit a secondary application packet; healthcare work or volunteer experience is listed as preferred.
RN-to-BSN: Must hold an unencumbered RN license and an accredited nursing diploma or ADN, meeting GPA minimums on the RN-to-BSN admission page. This track does not require NCLEX prep through OSU because applicants are already licensed.
Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate: Apply via OSU Graduate College after reviewing nursing leadership course prerequisites and any RN experience expectations on the certificate page.
Application timeline
| Pathway | Typical pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN professional sequence | Fall start most common | Confirm supplemental deadlines and any HESI retake windows on the BSN admission page. |
| RN-to-BSN online | Multiple starts per year | See OSU Online RN-to-BSN overview for term start tables. |
| Leadership certificate | Graduate semester calendar | Follow Graduate College dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum prerequisite GPA (BSN) | 2.50 cumulative (OSU BSN materials); higher GPAs remain competitive |
| Entrance exam | HESI A2 required for professional BSN admission (not TEAS per OSU nursing exam guidance) |
| Healthcare experience | Preferred for BSN secondary application—not guaranteed admission criterion |
Schedule HESI preparation early, map prerequisites to transcripts early, and document healthcare volunteering or work consistently. RN-to-BSN applicants should double-check general education completion with an advisor because nursing courses build on prior gen-ed requirements.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Oklahoma State publishes undergraduate block rates covering tuition and university-wide mandatory fees when students enroll in 12–18 credit hours during fall or spring semesters (summer uses different pricing; the block is not charged in summer).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Resident block (12–18 cr) | $4,621.50 per fall/spring semester (tuition + university-wide mandatory fees) |
| Nonresident block (12–18 cr) | $12,381.75 per fall/spring semester (same scope) |
| Additional fees | College-based, course, online, or program fees may apply on top of the block—use the Bursar estimator |
| Source | OSU Block Rate Information and Bursar tuition estimator. Confirm current figures with the Office of the Bursar. |
Graduate tuition for the leadership certificate follows the graduate tuition schedule—Not publicly disclosed on this page; review the OSU Graduate College cost materials for your residency category.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
First-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for the Stillwater BSN cohort appear in the Oklahoma Board table cited above. RN-to-BSN graduates already hold licensure, so NCLEX metrics do not apply to that completion pathway.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Stillwater) | 85.00% (calendar 2025, OK BON PDF; n=20 first-time candidates listed) |
| Program-specific employment or salary | Not publicly disclosed here—check OSU consumer information or career surveys if published |
| Source | Oklahoma Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN pass-rate table |
Is Oklahoma State University the Right Fit for You?
OSU fits students who want a public university experience in Stillwater with a newer on-campus BSN, or who need a flexible online RN completion option.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a plan that explicitly blends rural Stillwater exposure with Tulsa/OKC healthcare systems.
- Are ready for HESI A2 preparation and a competitive secondary admission process.
- Already hold an RN license and need an online BSN completion or graduate leadership coursework.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need an MSN, DNP, or APRN concentration that OSU does not currently market on its undergraduate nursing hub.
- Expect guaranteed clinical sites in a single metropolitan area without travel.
- Prefer a private or faith-based nursing program culture—OSU is a large public land-grant university.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Stillwater anchors Stillwater Medical Center for community inpatient and outpatient volume, while Tulsa and Oklahoma City provide tertiary referrals through systems such as OSU Medical Center–Tulsa, Integris, and Saint Francis—all named in OSU marketing for nursing clinical education.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Stillwater Medical Center | Local acute-care partner for community rotations. |
| OSU Medical Center–Tulsa | Tulsa-based academic medicine exposure. |
| Integris Health | Multi-hospital system offering broad specialty density in OKC metro. |
| Saint Francis Health System | Tulsa-area tertiary services for advanced learning experiences. |
Oklahoma continues to recruit nurses statewide; use the Oklahoma Board of Nursing workforce publications for high-level supply context.
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students learn in the Human Sciences complex and use the Mary K. Chapman Nursing Simulation Laboratory for deliberate practice before patient contact. Stillwater offers a classic college-town atmosphere with strong OSU student traditions; nursing-specific student orgs and honor societies may be available—confirm active chapters with the department.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Stillwater, OK
- Department address
- 107 Human Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, US
- Nursing office phone
- 405-744-6040
- Leadership (example contact)
- Diane Cannon — see OSU Nursing Leadership page for current email
- Website
- okstate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the BSN admission & prerequisite PDFs and list missing coursework.
- Register for the HESI A2 if you are pursuing the Stillwater pre-licensure sequence (TEAS is not the OSU-required exam for that path).
- Download the Oklahoma Board of Nursing NCLEX PDF and highlight both OSU rows (Stillwater vs Oklahoma City) to avoid mixing outcomes.
- Run the tuition estimator with your residency and credit load.
- If you are an RN, request an RN-to-BSN transcript review instead of pre-licensure advising.
- Email nursing staff with scenario-specific questions (clinical travel, part-time study, etc.).
- Set calendar reminders for supplemental application materials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oklahoma State University CCNE-accredited for nursing?
OSU publicly states that its BSN pathways are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Confirm the exact program’s accreditation status and effective dates using the CCNE directory plus OSU disclosures.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Oklahoma State University–Stillwater?
According to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing’s NCLEX-RN ten-year table (PDF), Oklahoma State University – Stillwater posted an 85.00% first-time pass rate in calendar year 2025 with 20 first-time candidates listed. Confirm the next publication with the Board and OSU.
Does Oklahoma State University’s pre-licensure BSN use TEAS or HESI?
OSU’s BSN admission materials specify the HESI A2 with a minimum composite of 75 across required modules—not the TEAS—for professional sequence admission. Always confirm retake policies with nursing advisors.
How is OSU–Stillwater nursing different from OSU–Oklahoma City in NCLEX data?
The Oklahoma Board lists separate program names. “Oklahoma State University – Stillwater” tracks the Stillwater-based first-time testers, while “Oklahoma State University – Oklahoma City” reflects the OKC program’s testers. Do not interchange the percentages.
Does OSU offer an MSN or DNP in nursing?
This guide reflects OSU’s published nursing pathways: Stillwater BSN, online RN-to-BSN, and the HCA Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate. Dedicated MSN/APRN or DNP nursing degrees are not described on the same undergraduate nursing hub—verify any new graduate offerings with OSU Graduate College.
How much is undergraduate tuition at OSU for nursing majors?
Full-time Stillwater undergraduates in 12–18 credits pay the published block rate ($4,621.50 per fall/spring semester for residents and $12,381.75 for nonresidents in the block-rate document) plus any college, course, or online fees. Use the Bursar estimator for your situation.
Can working RNs complete a BSN at Oklahoma State University online?
Yes. OSU Online lists a fully online RN-to-BSN track with multiple term starts. You must hold an active RN license and meet GPA and prerequisite expectations described on the RN-to-BSN admission page.
Where do Oklahoma State University nursing students complete clinicals?
OSU marketing references roughly 600 clinical hours spanning rural and urban partners, including Stillwater Medical Center, OSU Medical Center–Tulsa, Integris, and Saint Francis. Exact rotations vary by semester—confirm placement policies with the department.
What graduate nursing credential does OSU offer beyond the BSN?
OSU advertises the HCA Nursing Leadership Graduate Certificate within the Nursing Leadership Program, aimed at practicing nurses seeking graduate-level leadership coursework. Admission flows through OSU Graduate College requirements.
References
- Oklahoma State University — Nursing departmenteducation.okstate.edu/…/nursing
- Oklahoma State University — BSN admission & prerequisitesBSN admission information
- Oklahoma State University — RN-to-BSN (OSU Online)osuonline.okstate.edu
- Oklahoma Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN ten-year pass rates (PDF)nclexpass1.pdf
- Oklahoma State University — Block rate tuitionira.okstate.edu/blockrate
- Oklahoma State University — Bursar tuition estimatorTuition estimator
- Oklahoma Board of Nursing — agency data huboklahoma.gov/nursing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
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 with the Oklahoma Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN pass-rate table, OSU block-rate tuition disclosures, and publicly described nursing program scopes (Stillwater BSN, RN-to-BSN, leadership certificate).
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It is not admissions, financial, or licensure advice. Requirements and costs change—verify with Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy