University of South Carolina College of Nursing: Programs, Costs & NCLEX (2026)
Anchored in Columbia’s Williams-Brice Building, USC Nursing pairs a competitive Traditional BSN (pre-nursing to upper division) with an online RN-BSN, a fast-track MEPN for career changers, nationally ranked online MSN tracks, DNP, and a PhD in Nursing Science. This guide cites USC-published 2025–26 costs, CCNE scope from the college’s accreditation page, and 2024 NCLEX-RN highlights as summarized by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education from South Carolina LLR data—always confirm the latest tables on LLR before making decisions.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
USC Columbia is one of the few public flagship programs pairing a high-volume Traditional BSN with an intensive MEPN (68 credits, Midlands clinicals) for non-nurse degree holders, while the college’s online MSN tracks regularly rank at the top nationally. Budget pathway-specific numbers: gateway tables cover generic undergrad bills, but MEPN publishes its own all-in estimate for 2025–26 entrants—use that PDF rather than guessing from per-credit stacks alone.
Overview & Why Students Choose USC Nursing
The University of South Carolina College of Nursing operates from a dedicated 52,000-square-foot clinical education building at the heart of the Columbia campus, supporting high-fidelity simulation, skills labs, and the college’s integrated pre-licensure pipeline. Historically the state’s first nationally accredited baccalaureate nursing program (per USC history materials), it now mixes large flagship visibility with graduate programming that U.S. News frequently ranks among the top online master’s in nursing nationally.
Undergraduates typically enter as pre-nursing majors through general admissions, then compete for upper-division nursing placement after prerequisites such as NURS 216. Career changers with a prior bachelor’s can bypass a second baccalaureate via the MEPN, while working RNs finish a flexible RN-BSN. Doctorally, USC offers CCNE-accredited DNP pathways and a PhD in Nursing Science oriented toward nurse scientists.
South Carolina’s LLR release summarized by the CHE notes a 94.7% statewide first-time RN NCLEX pass rate on 2,964 exams in 2024. Within that reporting cycle, USC Columbia MEPN was listed among programs at 100% first-time pass, while USC Columbia baccalaureate was listed among programs above 90% (exact BSN percentage: see LLR workbook).
Reasons students choose USC Nursing
MEPN for non-nurse degree holders
A 68-credit, five-semester full-time plan blends face-to-face classes, Midlands clinical immersion, and online components—designed so bachelor’s graduates can sit for NCLEX-RN without earning a second undergraduate degree.
Deep online MSN portfolio
USC’s master’s index spans AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, nurse-midwifery, leadership, education, and informatics—supporting APRN and systems roles with nationally visible rankings.
Capital-city clinical density
Columbia anchors Prisma Health’s “Midlands” footprint, the Dorn VA Medical Center, and numerous community clinics—useful for Med-Surg, mental health, pediatrics, and population-health rotations.
RN-BSN built for working nurses
USC markets completion in as little as 12 months, mostly online, with a face-to-face capstone practicum locally or in Columbia.
Doctoral ladders
USC outlines practice-focused DNP cohorts (online didactic) alongside a research PhD with executive seminar formats—distinct missions for clinicians versus scientists.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects the college’s published academic program pages and graduate indices (see References). Treat pre-licensure BSN/MEPN, RN-BSN completion, and graduate/doctoral tracks as separate admissions universes—tests, licensure documentation, and clinical clearance rules are not interchangeable.
Pre-licensure pathways
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Students complete general education and nursing prerequisites, then apply competitively to upper division while enrolled in NURS 216; upper-division nursing is full-time and sequenced, with clinical experiences across the region per USC’s BSN overview.
Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN)
For bachelor’s-educated applicants outside nursing: 68 credits over five consecutive semesters, 784 direct clinical hours, spring cohort entry, prerequisites due before the September 1 deadline, per the Entry to Practice Nursing page.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
USC describes a flexible online RN-BSN with two pacing tracks, seven-week terms, leadership and informatics emphases, and a required face-to-face capstone practicum in the student’s community or Columbia.
Graduate nursing (MSN & certificates)
Master of Science in Nursing concentrations
Includes AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, Healthcare Leadership, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Nurse-Midwifery per the master’s program index; application windows differ (for example, summer starts for several NP tracks with July 1–February 1 submission).
Certificate of Graduate Study (CGS)
Post-master’s certificates mirror APRN and leadership/education/informatics specialties listed in the graduate application instructions—confirm separate deadlines for clinical versus educator tracks.
Doctoral programs
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
USC describes DNP preparation for advanced practice, executive leadership, and nurse education roles with cohort-based study, online didactic delivery, clinical hours, and a clinical evidence project—GRE not required per the doctoral overview.
PhD in Nursing Science
Research doctorate admitting from BSN, MSN, or related master’s backgrounds; emphasizes nursing science theory, methods, and dissertation research with executive-style seminars plus online components.
USC refreshes prerequisites, deadlines, and course titles annually. Reconcile this page with the College of Nursing academic programs hub, the USC academic bulletins, and the CON graduate application portal before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to a February 12, 2025 news release from the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, which summarizes data published by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) for calendar year 2024, USC Columbia MEPN was among South Carolina programs with a 100% first-time RN NCLEX pass rate, and USC Columbia (Baccalaureate) was among programs that exceeded a 90% first-time pass rate. The same CHE article states 2,964 first-time RN exams were taken statewide in 2024 with a 94.7% pass rate compared with a 91.2% national rate.
For the exact USC Columbia BSN percentage, tester counts, and superseding years after 2024, open the primary spreadsheets or PDFs on LLR’s Nursing Statistics & Data page rather than relying solely on news summaries.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| MEPN — first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 100% (listed in CHE summary of SC LLR data, Feb. 2025) |
| Traditional BSN — first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | Greater than 90% per the same CHE summary; confirm exact % in LLR workbook |
| South Carolina — all first-time RN testers (2024) | 94.7% pass on 2,964 exams (CHE, citing LLR) |
| Source | CHE — SC NCLEX outcomes (Feb. 2025) · SC LLR nursing statistics |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and exam version. Confirm the latest rates with South Carolina LLR and the USC College of Nursing before using them for academic or employment decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Use this checklist as orientation only—not immigration, academic, or licensure advice. USC’s international graduate requirements, clinical contracts, and LLR credential reviews can change between admission cycles.
- English-language proficiency: Follow the USC Graduate School international applicants page (and Undergraduate Admissions for pre-licensure) for TOEFL, IELTS, or other scores.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: MEPN requires a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member agency before application review, per the Entry to Practice Nursing page.
- South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR): Foreign-educated nurses seeking NCLEX eligibility must satisfy LLR documentation, which may include CGFNS or bridge coursework—confirm with LLR and USC.
- Immigration & visa status: Clinical practica may limit enrollment for certain visa categories or out-of-state placements; ask USC International Student Services and your program director.
Policies change frequently. Verify with USC’s international offices, the College of Nursing, and South Carolina LLR Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
USC separates three big buckets: freshman/pre-nursing via Undergraduate Admissions, upper-division BSN progression controlled by the College of Nursing, and graduate nursing through the CON application portal plus the Graduate School. Expect competitive progression—being admitted to pre-nursing does not guarantee a clinical seat.
Application timeline
| Applicant type | Typical action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-nursing freshman | Apply through USC Undergraduate Admissions | USC states that pre-nursing admission alone does not guarantee upper-division nursing placement. |
| Upper-division BSN | Apply while enrolled in NURS 216 | Progression uses GPA and interview scoring once minimum eligibility is met. |
| MEPN (spring start) | Submit via CON graduate portal | Applications open May 1; early decision July 1; final deadline September 1 with prerequisites completed. |
| MSN / CGS / DNP / PhD | Track-specific deadlines | Example: many NP tracks accept July 1–February 1 for summer starts; educator/informatics tracks may use November–May windows per graduate program copy. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a single statistic on the pages cited here. |
| RN-BSN GPA threshold | 3.0 minimum cumulative collegiate GPA; 2.8–2.99 may be conditionally admitted if ≤100 prior credits and other requirements met (nine-hour probationary window per USC RN-BSN admission page). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the USC excerpts used for this guide; confirm via the CON advising office if exams returned post-COVID. |
| Graduate exams | USC’s doctoral overview states GRE not required for DNP/PhD—re-verify for your year. |
Tip: Pull USC’s published BSN start-up cost and MSN start-up cost sheets early—clinical compliance spends stack before tuition bills.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
USC’s Gateway Costs sheet shows 2025–2026 estimated direct costs for full-time undergraduates on the Columbia campus: $12,288 tuition for residents, $36,988 for non-residents, plus a $400 technology fee and $1,586 weighted average program fee before housing or meals (resident direct total $30,650 with housing/meals as listed).
The Bursar’s tuition table adds per-semester detail—e.g., $6,144 full-time resident undergraduate tuition per semester and $18,494 non-resident per semester for 2025–2026. Graduate students should use the graduate block (resident $6,867 / non-resident $14,880 full-time per semester) unless enrolled in a specially priced online program such as MSN Healthcare Leadership ($572.25/credit; $21,915 total estimated program tuition/fees in the table reviewed).
MEPN publishes pathway-specific totals: $44,455 in-state, $86,020 out-of-state, or $62,335 out-of-state with the college’s Nursing Scholarship, for students first enrolling in 2025–26, plus separately budgeted out-of-pocket costs documented on USC’s MEPN cost page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| UG tuition (annual, gateway estimate) | $12,288 resident · $36,988 non-resident (2025–26) |
| UG tuition (per semester, bursar) | $6,144 resident · $18,494 non-resident full-time (2025–26) |
| MEPN estimated billable program total | $44,455 / $86,020 / $62,335 (in-state / out-of-state / out-of-state with Nursing Scholarship; 2025–26 entrants) |
| MSN Healthcare Leadership (specially priced online row) | $21,915 program total · $572.25/credit (bursar table reviewed March 2026) |
| Source | USC Gateway Costs · USC Bursar · USC MEPN costs |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Benchmark pre-licensure performance against LLR NCLEX downloads (above) rather than marketing slogans alone. APRN graduates should track national certification pass trends from USC or specialty nursing boards—those metrics differ from NCLEX.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (2024 summary) | MEPN 100%; traditional BSN cohort >90% first-time pass per CHE summary of SC LLR data |
| Employment / starting salary | Not publicly disclosed on the pages cited for this guide; consult USC Career Services or workforce reports. |
| Source | CHE news (Feb. 2025) · SC LLR statistics |
Is USC Nursing the Right Fit for You?
USC fits applicants who want a research-intensive flagship in the state capital with both traditional and accelerated pre-licensure routes plus a deep online graduate portfolio.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Thrive in competitive progression environments and can maintain strong science GPAs through upper-division gating.
- Want MEPN’s intensive, full-time Midlands clinical immersion instead of a second BS degree.
- Plan to pair Columbia’s academic medical hub with flexible online MSN/DNP progression while working.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need guaranteed same-day, low-commute clinicals—Columbia traffic and regional sites vary by semester.
- Expect the lowest net price without scholarships; non-resident MEPN billable totals approach $86k before living costs.
- Want a fully remote pre-licensure degree—BSN and MEPN still require substantial face-to-face/clinical presence.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Columbia sits at the center of the Midlands health economy, where Prisma Health operates flagship facilities such as Prisma Health Richland and Baptist Hospital, complemented by Lexington Medical Center west of the city and the Wm. Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center. Those systems anchor trauma, transplant, cardiovascular, oncology, and safety-net clinics that routinely host USC clinical groups.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Prisma Health Midlands | Largest integrated network footprint in the region; Richland and Baptist campuses offer high-acuity training corridors. |
| Lexington Medical Center | Major suburban referral hospital often used for adult health, perioperative, and ED overflow experiences. |
| Dorn VA Medical Center | Federal acute and ambulatory site supporting veteran-centered care rotations and interprofessional learning. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
USC nursing students study in the college’s dedicated clinical education building with a Clinical Simulation Center that USC describes as teaching–education accredited, alongside NLN Center of Excellence designations referenced in MEPN marketing. Student organizations, study-abroad partnerships, and SEC campus traditions round out co-curricular life. Upper-division and MEPN learners should expect full-time sequencing, frequent skills checks, and intermittent evening or weekend clinical blocks—plan employment accordingly.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- College
- University of South Carolina College of Nursing
- Address
- Williams-Brice Building, 1601 Greene Street, Columbia, SC 29208, US
- Telephone
- 803-777-7412 (main college line per nursing.sc.edu)
- Graduate nursing
- 803-777-9080 · NURSGRAD@mailbox.sc.edu
- Website
- sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the LLR NCLEX workbook and record USC Columbia’s row for your intended graduation year.
- If you are pre-nursing, map every prerequisite to the bulletin and confirm NURS 216 timing for upper-division application eligibility.
- MEPN applicants should finish science prerequisites within five years with grades of C or better before the September 1 deadline.
- RN-BSN applicants should verify active RN licensure, transcript send paths, and capstone site options with the RN-BSN office.
- Download the MEPN cost worksheet or MSN start-up PDF so immunizations, background checks, and travel are budgeted.
- Attend a live MEPN information session or virtual open house linked from the college events calendar.
- Create a CON graduate portal login early—summer NP tracks fill faster than fall educator tracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What NCLEX-RN outcomes did South Carolina publish for USC Columbia in 2024?
The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education’s February 2025 recap of LLR data lists USC Columbia MEPN among programs with a 100% first-time RN pass rate and USC Columbia baccalaureate among programs above 90%. Pull the underlying LLR spreadsheet for exact BSN percentages.
How much is in-state undergraduate tuition at USC Columbia for 2025–26?
USC’s Gateway Costs sheet lists $12,288 annual tuition plus $400 technology and $1,586 weighted average program fees before housing—$30,650 resident direct cost including housing and meals as published.
What does USC estimate for total MEPN billable tuition?
The MEPN page lists $44,455 in-state, $86,020 out-of-state, or $62,335 out-of-state with the Nursing Scholarship for students first enrolling in 2025–26, exclusive of additional out-of-pocket clinical costs.
Does USC Columbia offer an online RN-BSN?
Yes. USC markets a flexible online RN-BSN that can finish in as little as 12 months with a face-to-face capstone practicum locally or in Columbia.
Which MSN concentrations can I pursue online at USC?
The master’s index lists AGACNP, FNP, PMHNP, Healthcare Leadership, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, and Nurse-Midwifery—each with distinct clinical hour expectations.
Is USC’s DNP accredited by CCNE?
USC’s accreditation page groups the DNP with BSN and MSN under CCNE accreditation language—re-verify scope dates on the live page and CCNE directory.
What is the difference between USC’s MEPN and a traditional BSN?
MEPN admits bachelor’s graduates from non-nursing fields into a graduate-level, 68-credit, five-semester clinical sequence ending with NCLEX eligibility; traditional BSN students progress from USC pre-nursing through upper-division undergraduate nursing.
Where do MEPN students complete clinicals?
USC states that MEPN requires in-person clinical experiences in the South Carolina Midlands while mixing online and synchronous face-to-face courses.
How competitive is USC upper-division BSN admission?
USC describes upper-division admission as competitive, based on progression GPA and interview scores once minimum criteria are met. A specific acceptance rate is not published on the pages cited here.
References
- University of South Carolina College of Nursingsc.edu/study/colleges_schools/nursing
- USC — Bachelor of Science in Nursing overviewsc.edu (BSN)
- USC — Master’s Entry to Practice Nursing (MEPN)sc.edu (MEPN)
- USC — Master of Science in Nursing indexsc.edu (MSN)
- USC — Doctoral programs overviewsc.edu (DNP/PhD)
- USC — Accreditation & state authorizationsc.edu (accreditation)
- USC — Undergraduate Gateway Costs (2025–2026)sc.edu (gateway costs)
- USC — Bursar tuition and required feessc.edu/bursar
- South Carolina CHE — 2024 NCLEX news release (LLR data)che.sc.gov
- South Carolina LLR — Nursing statistics & datallr.sc.gov/nurse/stats.aspx
- 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 USC program-list alignment, 2025–26 tuition figures from USC Bursar and Gateway Costs, MEPN cost disclosures, and NCLEX figures cross-checked against South Carolina LLR reporting summarized by CHE.
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 University of South Carolina College of Nursing and the South Carolina Board of Nursing (LLR).
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy