Reading Area Community College Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Sponsored by Berks County, Reading Area Community College trains nurses on an urban campus with clinical affiliates across Reading and neighboring counties. This guide pulls TEAS benchmarks, 2025–26 residency tuition bands, Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing NCLEX spreadsheets, and RACC’s published program outcomes—always double-check deadlines and policies with RACC and the Board.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
RACC publishes separate day and evening ADN tracks, a one-year practical nursing certificate, and named clinical affiliates around Reading—from Tower Health’s Reading campus to PennState Health St. Joseph—so students can stay regional while building licensure eligibility.
Overview & Why Students Choose RACC
Reading Area Community College sits in downtown Reading, Berks County’s urban hub, and operates as the county-sponsored open-access college even though nursing itself is selective. Students complete prerequisites, meet Health Professions testing rules, and petition into either the Practical Nursing certificate or the Associate Degree Nursing sequence with explicit day versus evening commitments.
RACC stresses high-acuity clinical exposure through regional hospitals and long-term care partners, ACEN accreditation for the ADN program, and articulation agreements if you plan to continue toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing after licensure.
RACC posts NCLEX-ADN and NCLEX-LPN outcome tables on its program pages, while the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing publishes five-year RN and PN spreadsheets (for example, the 2024–2025 workbooks linked under “NCLEX Exam Pass Rates”). Compare both sources because cohort labels and denominators can differ.
Reasons students choose RACC nursing
Urban Berks clinical density
Published affiliates include Tower Health Reading Hospital, PennState Health St. Joseph, county skilled-nursing centers, and behavioral health sites—useful variety without leaving the Greater Reading labor market.
Day or evening ADN pacing
RACC lets you lock into a four-semester day track or a seven-semester evening track (with winter and summer terms) so working adults can keep a job while progressing, provided they accept longer time-to-completion.
Documented TEAS expectations
The Health Professions TEAS booklet states Proficient (58.7) or higher drives primary consideration, caps attempts at two per year with a 30-day gap, and clarifies PN vs ADN testing windows.
Official pass-rate transparency
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN workbook lists 90.91% first-time (20 of 22 testers) for RACC’s ADN in the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 column; older columns (and RACC’s consumer table) can show higher percentages for different cohorts—compare footnotes before benchmarking.
Nursing Programs Offered
RACC’s Health Professions pages and 2025–26 catalog name two pre-licensure credentials plus an LPN progression route. The college awards an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing for RN preparation and a credit certificate in practical nursing—there is no standalone BSN or graduate nursing degree on this campus.
Pre-licensure: Practical Nursing (LPN)
Practical Nursing Certificate
Full-time day program (about 12 months) mixing campus instruction with regional clinical rotations; prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN. RACC states the program has provisional approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and ACEN continuing accreditation—provisional approval is not the same as full approval; verify current status before enrolling. See Practical Nursing.
Pre-licensure: Associate Degree Nursing (ADN / RN)
Nursing, AAS — day option
Four semesters of nursing coursework after prerequisites; classroom two days per week with additional clinical/lab days. Students stay within the day track once admitted.
Nursing, AAS — evening option
Seven semesters including winter and summer sessions; one evening of class plus one to two evenings of clinical/lab weekly. Evening students must finish in the evening track.
LPN progression
Advanced placement into ADN
RACC advertises advanced placement for LPN graduates who want to continue toward the associate nursing degree. Credit awarded and entry points depend on transcripts, licensure, and space—coordinate with Health Professions advising.
Follow the Nursing Petition Instructions, Selective Admissions — NURS catalog section, and the official Associate Degree Nursing page for the authoritative checklist.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Commonwealth’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet, the Reading Area Community College ADN row lists 90.91% first-time (20 passed / 22 tested) in the leftmost data column (Pennsylvania’s usual label for the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 testing year). The same row carries higher pass rates in older columns (for example 98.33% with 59 of 60 in a later period)—always match the column heading to the cohort you care about.
RACC’s Associate Degree Nursing page still publishes consumer tables that may show labels such as 98.3% (2024-25); reconcile those school tables with the Board PDF rather than assuming identical denominators.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (PA BON ADN row, Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column) | 90.91% (20 of 22 candidates, leftmost column of the 2024–2025 workbook) |
| NCLEX-RN (same row, older column example) | 98.33% (59 of 60)—illustrates how later columns can reflect different testing windows |
| NCLEX-ADN (RACC consumer table) | Includes labels such as 98.3% for 2024-25—compare footnotes to the Board file |
| Source | PA BON 2024-2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF) · RACC Associate Degree Nursing. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and RACC. |
NCLEX-PN (practical nursing)
The Board’s 2024-2025 PN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet lists five annual columns (oldest to newest, left to right); for Reading Area Community College, the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 column (rightmost) shows 12 of 12 first-time testers passing (100.00%, PA DOS). Earlier columns include smaller cohorts (for example 11 tested, 8 passed, 72.73%). RACC’s practical nursing page lists NCLEX-LPN pass rates of 100% for 2024, 2023, and 2022 in its consumer table—confirm definitions with the Board and RACC.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN pass rate (PA BON, Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column) | 100.00% (12 of 12 first-time testers, rightmost column of 2024–2025 PN workbook) |
| NCLEX-LPN (RACC table label) | 100% for 2024 on RACC practical nursing outcomes table (school-reported) |
NCLEX statistics depend on which testers are counted, which exam attempt is included, and the reporting window. Always confirm the newest Pennsylvania spreadsheet row and RACC’s posted cohort before making enrollment decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
The RACC catalog’s international enrollment pages specify deadlines, English exams, transcript evaluation vendors, and financial documentation. Use the bullets below as orientation only—policies shift and clinical programs add compliance steps.
- English-language proficiency: The catalog currently cites minimum TOEFL scores of 450 paper-based or 45 internet-based for general international admission—confirm whether nursing requires higher scores.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: RACC lists accredited evaluators such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) and World Education Services (WES) as examples and stresses translations for non-English documents.
- Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking Pennsylvania licensure must follow Board guidance on CGFNS, visas, and credential review independent of RACC admission.
- Immigration & visa: Health professions clinical courses may limit participation for certain visa categories; coordinate with RACC’s designated school official before assuming you can attend clinical rotations.
This section is not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with RACC Enrollment Services, the international office, U.S. immigration counsel, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
General admission to RACC is open, but nursing clinical seats use selective admission: you must finish prerequisite coursework, earn qualifying placement into college-level English and math where required, complete the Health Professions TEAS with a Proficient (58.7) or higher total score, and submit a nursing petition packet by the published pathway. Nursing courses run between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., while patient-care experiences may extend from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. depending on agency needs.
Application timeline
| Milestone | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| TEAS testing window (ADN) | January through March per TEAS booklet | Exam must be finished before you apply; allow 30 days between attempts (max two per year). |
| TEAS testing window (PN) | January through June per TEAS booklet | Same attempt limits; confirm prerequisites with Health Professions advising before paying for the exam. |
| Nursing petition | Follow Nursing Petition Instructions (Jan. 8, 2025 PDF) | Includes links to check sheets for day, evening, and PN maps. |
| Act 53 / criminal history | Review before applying | RACC directs applicants to Pennsylvania’s Act 53 of 2020 licensing guidance. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA / grades | Not publicly disclosed in summary pages used here; catalog selective-admissions narratives list C-or-better expectations in prerequisite science courses—confirm the latest tables with advising. |
| TEAS | ATI TEAS with Proficient (58.7) or higher for primary consideration (Health Professions TEAS booklet, updated July 13, 2026). Highest valid score within two years counts; cannot combine attempts. |
| Program choice | Students rank either day or evening ADN (cannot switch tracks mid-program per RACC nursing page). |
Honest tips
Meet with Health Professions Academic Advising (Weitz Hall W320; 610-372-4721 ext. 5067 per TEAS packet) before scheduling TEAS so you do not waste attempts. Build a transcript plan that finishes anatomy, physiology, and general education gates early because clinical petitions are competitive.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
RACC’s Tuition & Fees page states that published amounts include tuition plus activity, institutional, technology, and (for non-Berks Pennsylvania residents) capital fees. Health Professions and STEM divisions add per-course fees documented in separate PDF schedules.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Berks County resident — full-time (12-18 credits) | $3,315 per term (2025-26 table on RACC site) |
| Other Pennsylvania resident — full-time | $5,805 per term |
| Non-Pennsylvania resident — full-time | $6,420 per term |
| Part-time per credit (1-11 credits) | $221 Berks · $387 other PA · $428 non-PA (before program-specific fees) |
| Health Professions fees | See RACC’s Health Professions fees PDF (Feb. 26, 2026) and the combined Health Professions & STEM Division fees PDF (Mar. 2, 2026); also HP fee anchor on the Tuition & Fees page. |
| Detailed per-credit breakdown | Detailed Tuition and Fee Charge Per Credit Hour 2025-2026 (PDF) |
| Source | RACC Tuition and Fees. Confirm balances with the Bursar/Student Accounts office before each term. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
RACC posts NCLEX, completion, and job-placement percentages on each nursing page. Pair those consumer metrics with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing spreadsheets cited above so you understand both regulatory reporting and the school’s marketing tables.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (PA BON, Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column) | 90.91% (20/22 testers) per 2024–2025 RN workbook row for Reading Area CC ADN |
| NCLEX-ADN (RACC consumer row) | 98.3% (2024-25), 100% (2023-24), 100% (2022-23) on RACC nursing outcomes table (school-reported labels) |
| NCLEX-PN (PA BON, Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | 100.00% (12/12 first-time) per 2024–2025 PN workbook |
| Program completion (RACC ADN table) | On-time graduation 64%; ultimate completion 77.33% for 2024-25 row—definitions on RACC page |
| Job placement (RACC-reported, ADN table) | Label shows 100% job placement for 2024-25 ADN and 100% for 2024 PN table; confirm what “placement” includes with RACC. |
| Source | RACC ADN · RACC PN · PA BON spreadsheets linked in NCLEX section |
Is RACC the Right Fit for You?
RACC works well if you want Berks County tuition rates, plan to stay in the Reading metro for clinical commuting, and can commit to early-morning or late-evening patient-care shifts when assigned.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Need an affordable public ADN or PN pathway with published NCLEX data from both RACC and Pennsylvania regulators.
- Prefer choosing either an accelerated four-semester day track or a slower evening track that stretches across seven semesters.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect an online-only nursing degree—RACC nursing is in-person with structured clinical hours.
- Cannot relocate or commute to Reading-area hospitals and long-term care sites or cannot meet TEAS repeat rules.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Berks County anchors community hospitals, behavioral health campuses, and rehabilitation centers between Philadelphia and Harrisburg. RACC lists active clinical contracts on its nursing sites; assignments rotate as contracts renew.
| Organization | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tower Health — Reading & Pottstown hospitals | Largest acute-care footprint in Reading; offers med-surg, specialty, and critical care exposure for RACC affiliates. |
| PennState Health St. Joseph | Regional medical center for downtown Reading; frequently cited on RACC’s nursing affiliate lists. |
| County & post-acute partners | Berks Heim, Phoebe Berks, Genesis/Mifflin Center, and Wernersville State Hospital add long-term, rehabilitation, and behavioral health experiences. |
| Regional expansion | WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital (Lancaster County) appears on RACC’s ADN affiliate list—expect occasional travel outside the city limits. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
RACC’s main campus clusters around Berks Hall, Weitz Hall, and the Schmidt Training & Technology Center on South 2nd Street, so nursing students pick up IDs, advising, and TEAS proctoring without driving between towns. The college emphasizes simulation-integrated nursing courses and tightly supervised clinical groups, with nursing-specific hours stretching into evenings.
Between labs, consider campus supports such as the Yocum Library (TEAS study guides are referenced in the booklet), TRIO and tutoring labs, and the Welcome Center in Berks Hall for enrollment questions. Nursing schedules leave limited room for extracurriculars once clinical weeks begin.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Reading, PA
- Address
- 10 South 2nd Street, Reading, PA 19602, US
- Telephone
- 610-607-6224 (admissions per RACC nursing pages) · 800-626-1665
- Contact email
- admissions@racc.edu · HPAdvising@racc.edu (Health Professions advising)
- Website
- racc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open RACC’s ADN page and PN page, then download the Nursing Petition Instructions PDF plus the correct curriculum check sheet (day, evening, or PN).
- Compare prerequisite courses in the RACC catalog with your transcripts and plan anatomy, physiology, and general education completions.
- Schedule TEAS through ATI after advising confirms eligibility; aim for Proficient (58.7)+ and respect the two-attempt-per-year rule (30-day gap between tries).
- List questions for Health Professions Academic Advising (HPAdvising@racc.edu) covering petition timing, Act 53 compliance, and clinical clearance.
- Budget Berks vs. non-Berks tuition and Health Professions fees using the PDFs linked from the Tuition & Fees page.
- Bookmark the PA BON nursing education programs portal for NCLEX workbooks and program approval status.
- Set calendar reminders for TEAS deadlines (March window for ADN, June window for PN per the booklet).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Reading Area Community College offer both RN and PN pre-licensure tracks?
Yes. RACC runs a Practical Nursing certificate for NCLEX-PN eligibility and an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program with separate day and evening AAS options for NCLEX-RN eligibility, plus an advanced placement route for LPNs continuing toward the ADN. It does not list an on-campus BSN completion.
What TEAS score does RACC use for nursing applicants?
The Health Professions TEAS packet states that ADN, PN, and Respiratory Care applicants should earn ATI’s Proficient academic preparedness level or higher (58.7). Only one attempt every 30 days counts, with two attempts allowed per year, and scores remain valid for two years. Testing must finish before you submit the nursing petition, with ADN-focused windows January–March and PN January–June on the Berks campus.
What NCLEX-RN numbers should I trust for RACC?
The Board’s 2024–2025 RN workbook shows 90.91% first-time (20/22) for RACC ADN in the Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column; older columns show different cohort sizes (for example a 98.33% period with 59/60). Pair that file with RACC’s posted consumer NCLEX tables and reconcile the reporting windows.
Why does RACC mention provisional approval for Practical Nursing?
RACC’s PN page states the program operates under provisional approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. That status means you must verify cohort progress, Board correspondence, and any conditions directly with the institution and regulators—not assume long-term approval without checking.
How much will I pay for tuition in 2025–26 at RACC?
RACC lists $3,315 per term for full-time Berks County residents (12-18 credits), $5,805 for other Pennsylvanians, and $6,420 for non-residents, with part-time rates of $221 / $387 / $428 per credit before health professions fees. International applicants have a separate schedule-of-costs link.
Where will I complete clinical rotations at RACC?
Published affiliates include Tower Health’s Reading and Pottstown hospitals, PennState Health St. Joseph, Phoebe Berks, Berks Heim, Genesis/Mifflin, WellSpan Ephrata, and Wernersville State Hospital, among others. Faculty assign individual sites each term.
Can evening students switch to the day ADN track mid-program?
No. RACC states students must remain in the day track once they start day courses, and evening students must remain in the evening track—plan your work and childcare commitments before petitioning.
Does RACC publish job placement figures for nurses?
Yes. The ADN outcomes table shows job placement percentages such as 100% for 2024-25 (school-reported label) and the PN page shows 100% placement for 2024. Ask the college how placement is defined (e.g., employed vs. continuing education) before comparing to other schools.
What should I read before petitioning for the clinical cohort?
Download the January 8, 2025 Nursing Petition Instructions PDF, the pathway-specific curriculum check sheet, the TEAS booklet, and the catalog’s selective admissions sections for Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing. Missing documents delay ranking.
References
- Reading Area Community College — Associate Degree Nursingracc.edu/academics/nursing-program
- Reading Area Community College — Practical Nursingracc.edu/academics/practical-nursing
- RACC — TEAS information packet (PDF)RACC-TEAS-Info-Booklet … PDF
- RACC — Tuition & Feesracc.edu/admissions/tuition-and-fees
- RACC — Nursing Petition Instructions (PDF)Nursing-Petition-Instructions … PDF
- RACC Student Catalog — Enrollment / selective admissionscatalog.racc.edu … Enrollment Information
- Pennsylvania DOS — Nursing education programs & NCLEX workbookspa.gov … nursing-education-programs
- PA BON — 2024-2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF)2024-2025-nclex-rn-5-year-spreadsheet.pdf
- PA BON — 2024-2025 PN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF)2024-2025-nclex-pn-5-year spreadsheet.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: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for alignment between on-page NCLEX figures and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing 2024–2025 RN/PN spreadsheets, RACC TEAS booklet language, 2025–26 tuition tables, provisional PN approval wording, and community-college 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 the institution and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-31 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy