Columbia State Community College Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Public community college ADN pathways based in Columbia (and nursing instruction at Williamson), with competitive admission, Tennessee Board of Regents tuition, and published NCLEX-RN outcomes from the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Columbia State runs a single A.A.S. Nursing major with a traditional four-semester track and a separate LPN/Paramedic-to-RN summer-entry transitionāuseful if you are already licensed in Tennessee and want to shorten time in-seat before NCLEX-RN eligibility.
Overview & Why Students Choose Columbia State
From campuses in Columbia and Franklin (Williamson County), Columbia State Community College offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Nursing aligned with the Tennessee Board of Regents system. The program is limited-enrollment: applicants compete twice yearly for Fall and Spring nursing cohorts using GPA, ACT/SAT scores, and an admission-point model described on the college site.
Because it is a community college pathway, the end credential is the A.A.S. and RN licensure preparationānot a four-year BSN on the same transcript. Many graduates continue to RN-to-BSN completion at a university after passing the NCLEX-RN.
According to the Tennessee Board of Nursing āADN NCLEX Pass Ratesā PDF for first-time associate-degree candidates, Columbia Stateās rate in the reportās leading data column was 96% (84 passed of 88 first-time candidates). In that same column, the report lists an aggregate first-time pass rate of 85% across all Tennessee ADN programs shown (1,085 of 1,271 first-time candidates). Confirm the latest reporting year and cohort with the PDF and the college.
Reasons students choose Columbia State Community College
Multi-campus access
ACEN disclosures reference nursing instruction at both the Columbia campus and the Williamson campus in Franklināhelpful for students balancing South-Central Tennessee geography with clinical scheduling.
Defined transition track
Licensed Tennessee LPNs and Paramedics can pursue the LPN/Paramedic-to-RN transition pathway, which the college describes as three continuous semesters beginning in Summer.
Transparent TBR pricing
Tennessee Board of Regents tuition brackets ($191 in-state for the first 12 semester hours in the collegeās posted table) make it easier to estimate semester bills before fees and course charges.
Board-reported NCLEX outcomes
Official first-time pass rates for Tennessee ADN programs, including Columbia State, appear in the state Board of Nursing PDF cited aboveāsupporting apples-to-apples comparison with other Tennessee community colleges.
Nursing Programs Offered
Columbia State lists one nursing degreeāthe Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Nursingāwith separate pre-licensure (traditional) and LPN/Paramedic-to-RN transition entry routes. The college does not advertise BSN, MSN, or DNP completion on the public nursing overview page; students who want a BSN typically transfer after licensure.
Pre-licensure
A.A.S. in Nursing (traditional ADN track)
Designed for new college nursing students, the program of study can be completed in four semesters of nursing courses once general education prerequisites are met. Nursing courses are major-restricted until formal program admission.
Progression / mobility
LPN/Paramedic-to-RN transition
For applicants already licensed as an LPN or Paramedic in Tennessee, Columbia State outlines a transition plan of three continuous semesters beginning in Summer, subject to the same competitive admission mechanics as other applicants.
Columbia State links to a PDF noting nursing admission changes effective February 2026 and pharmacology course sequencing updates beginning Spring 2026. Read those documents on the official nursing site before you apply.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Tennessee Board of Nursingās ADN NCLEX Pass Rates report (first-time associate-degree candidates), Columbia State Community Collegeās values in the leading reporting column were 88 first-time candidates, 84 passed, 96% first-time pass rate. The adjacent aggregate row in that same column shows 85% for all Tennessee ADN programs combined (1,085 of 1,271).
Older cohort columns in the same PDF show Columbia State at 92% (2023 column), 85% (2022), 98% (2021), and 95% (2020)āillustrating normal year-to-year variation. Always read the PDFās column headings to match the reporting year you need.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate | 96% (84 of 88 first-time candidates, leading column in TN BON ADN PDF; confirm year label in the PDF) |
| Tennessee ADN aggregate (same column) | 85% (1,085 of 1,271 first-time candidates) |
| Source | Tennessee Board of Nursing ā ADN NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF) Ā· Board of Nursing home. Confirm current cohort data with the Board and Columbia State. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Tennessee Board of Nursing and the college.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Columbia Stateās public nursing pages focus on Tennessee applicants; international students and foreign-educated nurses should treat the checklist below as a starting point only. This is not legal or licensure advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum scores and tests with the Columbia State admissions or international office.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Determine whether the college requires a specific evaluator for science prerequisites.
- Tennessee Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm eligibility, background-check expectations, and NCLEX paperwork directly with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Ask whether the ADN clinical sequence allows your visa category and whether clinical affiliates impose extra clearance documents.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Columbia State and the Tennessee Board of Nursing before you invest in prerequisites.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Columbia State uses limited enrollment with a point-based ranking. Meeting minimum GPA and ACT/SAT thresholds does not guarantee a seat; ties break on weighted cumulative GPA. Nursing applications are separate from general college admissionācomplete both processes in the order the college specifies.
Application timeline
| Nursing class start | Application window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall nursing class | Feb 1 ā Feb 28 (by 4 p.m. Central on the last day) | Electronic Nursing Program Application only; fax/mail/email not accepted. |
| Spring nursing class | Aug 1 ā Aug 31 (by 4 p.m. Central on the last day) | Same online form rules as Fall. |
| LPN/Paramedic transition | See Applications & Forms | Dedicated dynamic-form link for transition applicants. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Cumulative 2.50 on a 4.0 scale for general-education courses required in the A.A.S. Nursing program (high school GPA rules apply if fewer than 12 attempted college hours). |
| ACT / SAT | Composite ACT 19 or SAT 900 minimum; higher scores recommended because screening is competitive. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed in Columbia Stateās published nursing admission procedure (ACT/SAT emphasized instead). |
| Learning support | Must clear reading, writing, and math learning-support requirements before the nursing application. |
Practical tips
Upload unofficial transcripts and ACT/SAT screenshots that show your full name, gather documentation early in the window, and plan for health-clinical requirements (background check, drug screen, immunizations) only after an offer of admission.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The figures below come directly from Columbia Stateās Tuition & Fees page for degree-seeking undergraduates. Add college-wide fees (general access, technology, program service fees where applicable), course-specific fees, books, supplies, and commuting costs to estimate your full budget.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition | $191 per semester hour for credit hours 1ā12; $43 per hour for hours 13+. |
| Out-of-state tuition | $331 per semester hour for credit hours 1ā12; $66 per hour for hours 13+. |
| Online course fee (if applicable) | $76 per semester hour (listed separately on the tuition page). |
| Source | Columbia State Tuition & Fees. Tennessee Board of Regents may adjust rates; confirm each semester in ChargerNet. |
Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE scholarships are referenced from Columbia Stateās navigation menusāsee the financial aid office for individualized award estimates.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Columbia Stateās marketing copy notes broad RN employment settingsāhospitals, long-term care, clinics, schoolsāand states that āarea starting salaries of approximately $40,000 or moreā are available, without publishing an audited placement percentage on the page we reviewed.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 96% (84 of 88) in leading column of Tennessee Board of Nursing ADN PDF; confirm reporting year on the PDF. |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on the nursing overview; check the collegeās consumer information or career services for any graduate surveys. |
| Salary context | Columbia State cites approximate regional starting wages ($40,000+) on its nursing pageāconfirm methodology and year with the school. |
| Source | TN BON ADN NCLEX PDF; Columbia State nursing overview. |
Is Columbia State the Right Fit for You?
Community college ADN programs excel when you want Tennessee in-state pricing, geographic proximity to Columbia or Williamson County, and a Board-documented NCLEX benchmarkābut they demand strict adherence to application windows and clinical compliance.
ā Good fit for students whoā
- Want an ACEN-accredited A.A.S. pathway with explicit LPN/Paramedic transition language.
- Can meet competitive ACT/SAT and GPA floors and submit complete packets inside the February/August deadlines.
- Plan to work in Middle Tennessee and value clinical rotations anchored near Columbia/Franklin.
ā May not be ideal for students whoā
- Need a four-year BSN award from day one without transferring after licensure.
- Cannot satisfy repeated background checks, drug screens, and immunization expectations required after admission.
- Expect rolling applications outside the narrow February/August nursing windows.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Columbia sits in Maury County, part of south-central Tennesseeās care corridor between Nashville and Huntsville. Major regional systemsāMaury Regional Health, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA TriStar facilities, and Community Health Systems affiliatesāemploy large RN workforces across acute, ambulatory, and post-acute settings, though Columbia State does not publish a master affiliate list on the pages we reviewed.
Nursing students should expect clinical assignments that match community college scope (med/surg, long-term care, specialty units) and must clear each affiliateās credentialing rules. Request the current clinical site roster from the nursing office before you enroll.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional hospital systems | Maury Regional Health (Columbia), Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville), TriStar/CHS facilitiesāexamples of large employers hiring ADN-prepared RNs across Middle Tennessee. |
| Clinical placements | Confirm active contracts, site policies, and travel expectations with Columbia State nursing administration. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Columbia State operates multiple campuses; nursing-specific activities may occur at Columbia (main) or Franklin (Williamson) depending on curricular planning. Health Sciences leadership and administrative staff are based in Walter Hall on the Columbia campus.
Beyond clinical gear requirements (AHA/Red Cross BLS, malpractice insurance, health insurance proof), nursing students participate in the broader Charger student lifeāclubs, esports, arts, and athletic eventsāthough the nursing curriculum itself is intensive once admitted.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Columbia, TN
- Address
- 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401, US
- Switchboard
- 931-540-2722
- Health Sciences (example)
- Dean of Health Sciences: 931-540-2595 Ā· Deanās office email: efleming@ColumbiaState.edu
- Website
- columbiastate.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Columbia State nursing admission procedures and download the PDF on February 2026 policy changes.
- Compare your transcripts to the A.A.S. Nursing gen-ed list (BIOL 2010/2020/2230, ENGL 1010, MATH 1530, PSYC sequences, humanities elective).
- Schedule or retake the ACT/SAT if you are below the competitive rangeāeven with the 19 composite minimum.
- Register for an in-person nursing information session via the Microsoft Forms link on the nursing home page.
- Create electronic copies of transcripts and test-score screenshots with your legal name visible for the online nursing application.
- Bookmark the Tennessee ADN NCLEX PDF to monitor future updates.
- Set calendar alerts for Feb 1ā28 and Aug 1ā31 nursing application windows.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Columbia State Community College actually offer?
The public nursing site describes a single majorāthe A.A.S. in Nursingāwith a traditional pre-licensure track and an LPN/Paramedic-to-RN transition. It does not market a four-year BSN on that page.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Columbia State Community College?
Per the Tennessee Board of Nursing ADN NCLEX PDF, the leading data column shows 96% for Columbia State (84 of 88 first-time candidates). Match the PDF column to the reporting year you need and confirm updates with the Board.
Does Columbia State nursing require TEAS or HESI?
The collegeās published admission procedure highlights ACT/SAT scores and GPA points; it does not list TEAS or HESI. Reconfirm before you apply in case forms change.
When are Columbia State nursing applications due?
February 1ā28 for Fall nursing entry and August 1ā31 for Spring nursing entry (submitted online by 4 p.m. Central on the final day).
What GPA and test scores does Columbia State nursing need?
Minimum cumulative 2.50 GPA on required nursing gen-ed courses (or high school GPA rules if you have fewer than 12 attempted college hours) plus ACT 19 composite or SAT 900; competitive applicants usually exceed these floors.
How long is Columbia Stateās ADN program?
The program-of-study page describes four nursing semesters for students without prior applicable transfer credit; the LPN/Paramedic transition track is three continuous semesters beginning in Summer.
How much is tuition at Columbia State Community College?
The Tuition & Fees page lists $191 per semester hour in-state for the first 12 hours and $43 for additional in-state hours; out-of-state rates are $331 / $66 for the same split.
Where is Columbia Stateās nursing program located?
ACEN disclosure text references nursing at the Columbia and Williamson (Franklin) sites for the associate program.
What clinical clearance steps does Columbia State mention after admission?
Accepted students must meet immunization, BLS certification, background check, drug screen, malpractice insurance, and health insurance requirements before clinical participationādetails appear under āAdditional Requirements (After Admission)ā on the collegeās site.
References
- Columbia State Community College ā Nursing programcolumbiastate.edu/…/nursing/
- Columbia State ā Nursing admission proceduresAdmission procedures
- Columbia State ā General nursing admission requirementsGeneral admission requirements
- Columbia State ā Tuition & FeesTuition & Fees
- Tennessee Board of Nursing ā ADN NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF)ADN NCLEX Pass Rates.pdf
- Tennessee Department of Health ā Board of Nursingtn.gov/health/licensure/nurs
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ā Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses
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 Tennessee Board of Nursing NCLEX tables, Columbia State tuition disclosures, and community-college program scope (ADN-level offerings only).
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 Columbia State Community College and the Tennessee Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 Ā· Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 Ā· Medical Review Process Ā· Editorial Policy