Briar Cliff University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Department of Nursing at Briar Cliff University (BCU), a private Catholic Franciscan university in Sioux City, offers a pre-licensure BSN, online MSN nurse practitioner tracks (FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP), post-graduate APRN certificates, and a post-master’s DNP. This guide reflects BCU’s official program pages, 2025–26 tuition tables, and school-reported first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes—confirm every detail with BCU and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
BCU’s Department of Nursing offers a pre-licensure BSN with 840+ clinical hours and renovated labs, online MSN nurse practitioner tracks (FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP), post-graduate APRN certificates, and a post-master’s DNP—the university says it is the only Western Iowa institution where you can stack BSN through DNP in one place. Cross-check every requirement, fee, and deadline on BCU’s official nursing and tuition pages.
Overview & Why Students Choose Briar Cliff University
Briar Cliff University is a private Catholic Franciscan university in Sioux City, Iowa, overlooking the Missouri River valley. The Department of Nursing emphasizes faith-informed service, simulation and science labs (including access to regional anatomy resources highlighted on the BSN page), and clinical placements across hospitals, community health, and long-term care.
BCU describes an upper-division pre-licensure BSN for students who are not already registered nurses, with graduate pathways for licensed RNs through MSN, post-graduate APRN certificates, and a post-master’s DNP. Use the BSN Student Handbook and Graduate Student Handbook for the pathway that matches your background.
According to Briar Cliff University’s published Completion, Employment, and First Time Licensure Pass Rates table on the BSN program page, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by calendar year were 66.6% (2022), 100% (2023), and 100% (2024)—these are school-reported cohort outcomes (small classes; rates can vary year to year). For additional verification, see the Iowa Board of Nursing — Nursing Program Statistics and confirm the latest figures with BCU.
Reasons students choose Briar Cliff University
Clinical volume & facilities
BCU cites 840+ hours of clinical practice and renovated simulation, chemistry, and biology laboratories—plus emphasis on faculty who remain active in clinical practice.
CCNE-accredited stack
BCU states the BSN, MSN, post-graduate APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing.
NP tracks & rural focus
The online MSN offers FNP, AGPCNP, and PMHNP tracks with 750 minimum clinical hours; coursework includes a rural, underserved, or multicultural immersion per program materials.
Franciscan mission
The department mission highlights faith, learning, and service and preparing nurses to advocate for social justice and health equity—review mission language on the nursing and accreditation pages if mission fit matters to you.
Siouxland clinical ecosystem
Students rotate through Sioux City–area hospitals and community partners; confirm current contracts and travel expectations with the Department of Nursing.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects BCU’s Bachelor of Nursing, Nurse Practitioner (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice pages and the nursing accreditation disclosure. Programs are grouped as pre-licensure undergraduate and graduate / doctoral (post-RN).
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
BCU offers an upper-division pre-licensure BSN for students who are not already RNs. A 2.75 cumulative GPA is required for admission, progression, and graduation per the BSN page. The program includes 840+ clinical hours and leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility. Current BCU students typically apply to the major in the spring of sophomore year after meeting criteria; transfer students should contact admissions.
Post-licensure (graduate)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner
BCU offers a part-time, roughly three-year MSN with NP tracks in Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult/Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health NP (PMHNP), each with ≥750 clinical hours. FNP and AGPCNP students attend four mandatory on-campus lab days in Sioux City (two in summer year 1 for health assessment; two in summer year 2 for skills lab), per the program page.
Post-graduate APRN certificate
BCU lists post-graduate APRN certificate options aligned with its NP specialties for master’s-prepared nurses seeking an additional population focus—confirm specialty availability with the graduate office.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
BCU’s 36-credit, post-master’s DNP is designed for certified nurse practitioners, delivered online with 480 DNP-level practicum hours toward the 1,000-hour DNP expectation. Completion does not grant an additional NP license (per BCU).
BCU’s FAQ states nursing courses from other schools are not accepted for transfer into the pre-licensure BSN—confirm prerequisite and transfer rules with admissions. Graduate programs may allow limited transfer credit (e.g., up to 9 graduate credits per DNP FAQ). Always verify the current academic catalog and handbooks before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
The table below uses first-time licensure pass rates by calendar year published on Briar Cliff University’s BSN program page (same figures appear in the program outcomes section). For an independent check, consult the Iowa Board of Nursing — Nursing Program Statistics and any pass-rate publications the Board provides for Iowa pre-licensure programs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2022 — First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (BCU-reported, CY) | 66.6%, per BCU First-Time Licensure Pass Rates table on the BSN program page |
| 2023 — First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (BCU-reported, CY) | 100%, per BCU table (same source) |
| 2024 — First-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (BCU-reported, CY) | 100%, per BCU table (same source) |
| Source | Briar Cliff University — Bachelor of Nursing (program outcomes); Iowa Board of Nursing — Nursing Program Statistics. Confirm current cohort data with BCU and the Iowa Board of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort; small graduating classes can make percentages move sharply year to year. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Iowa Board of Nursing and Briar Cliff University.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Contact Briar Cliff’s admissions and financial aid offices for international-student eligibility and any English-proficiency requirements. Nursing applicants must meet immunization, background check, CPR, and technical standards described on the nursing and accreditation pages. Use the checklist below as a starting point only—this is not immigration or licensure advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum TOEFL/IELTS or other scores with BCU admissions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow BCU’s steps for international transcripts and prerequisite coursework.
- Iowa Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility—including internationally educated nurses—review Iowa Board resources and required documentation.
- Visa & clinical compliance: MSN NP and DNP students may need travel for on-campus lab days in Sioux City; confirm how your visa status supports required face-to-face activities.
Policies change frequently. Verify with BCU’s admissions office, the Department of Nursing, and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
BCU’s pre-licensure BSN is a competitive, upper-division major. Current BCU students typically apply in the spring of sophomore year once they meet criteria; transfer students should contact admissions early. The BSN page requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA for admission, progression, and graduation. MSN applicants need a 3.0 cumulative GPA from the BSN program, RN licensure, ≥2,000 hours of clinical nursing practice in the two years before enrollment in the first specialty course (employer verification), and other materials listed on the nurse practitioner page.
Application timeline
| Program | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (pre-licensure) | Bachelor of Nursing | Apply to the nursing major once criteria are met (typically spring of sophomore year for current students). See the BSN Student Handbook for details. |
| MSN (Nurse Practitioner) | Nurse Practitioner (MSN) | Applications accepted year-round per BCU; $250 matriculation fee after acceptance (applied to first semester). |
| DNP | Doctor of Nursing Practice | Applications accepted year-round; requires NP certification and master’s preparation; see checklist on the DNP page. |
| General admission | Apply to Briar Cliff | University admission is separate from admission to the nursing major. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (BSN) | BCU’s BSN page states a 2.75 cumulative GPA for admission, progression, and graduation. |
| Minimum GPA (MSN) | 3.0 cumulative GPA from the BSN-granting program per the nurse practitioner admissions list. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the BCU nursing program page summarized for this guide—see the BSN Student Handbook. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Briar Cliff publishes 2025–26 undergraduate costs (per semester and per credit) and a separate graduate grid for MSN NP and DNP. Private universities often list one tuition rate (not separate in-state/out-of-state) unless noted—confirm your personalized award letter. Housing, meals, books, and indirect costs are additional. Use BCU’s Net Price Calculator for an estimate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (full-time, fall/spring 2025–26) | $18,661 per semester |
| Undergraduate tuition (per credit hour, 2025–26) | $1,244 tuition + $44 general fees per credit |
| MSN — Nurse Practitioner (per credit, 2025–26) | $585 tuition + $67 general fees + $75 clinic fee per credit (per BCU graduate cost table; clinical courses bill the clinic fee per program FAQ) |
| DNP (per credit, 2025–26) | Graduate Study Costs lists the same tuition/fee bands as other doctoral nursing lines—$585 tuition + $67 general fees + $75 clinic fee per credit on the published table; the DNP FAQ also discusses fee structure—confirm your specific course bill with the bursar. |
| Fees & other charges | Health and wellness fee, housing, meal plans, lab fees, and graduate matriculation fees may apply—see Undergraduate Costs and Graduate Study Costs. |
| Source | Briar Cliff — Undergraduate Costs (2025–26); Briar Cliff — Graduate Study Costs (2025–26). Confirm current amounts with Student Accounts / Financial Aid. |
Submit the FAFSA (BCU school code 001846) and review scholarships and financial aid.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics change by cohort. The table below summarizes NCLEX-RN using BCU’s published calendar-year table and employment within 12 months of completion as reported on the same BCU nursing and nurse practitioner pages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (first-time, calendar year) | 66.6% (2022), 100% (2023), 100% (2024), per BCU BSN program outcomes table—confirm the latest year with BCU and the Iowa Board of Nursing. |
| Employment within 12 months of completion (BCU-reported) | 100% of graduates (2022 cohort, n=30); 100% (2023, n=25); 96% (2024, n=28)—per BCU employment table. Confirm current rates and methodology with BCU. |
| Source | BCU — Bachelor of Nursing (outcomes); BCU — Nurse Practitioner (graduate outcomes). |
Is Briar Cliff University the Right Fit for You?
BCU combines a faith-based, small-university environment with a full CCNE-accredited nursing ladder from pre-licensure BSN through post-master’s DNP. Use the checklist below to see whether the trade-offs match your goals.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a private, mission-driven campus in Sioux City with hands-on labs and 840+ BSN clinical hours.
- Plan to pursue NP or DNP education online while continuing to work as an RN in the region.
- Value faculty who emphasize active clinical practice and Franciscan service.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot attend mandatory on-campus lab days in Sioux City for the MSN NP tracks.
- Expect to transfer nursing coursework from another program—BCU states it does not accept transfer nursing courses for the pre-licensure BSN.
- Need a large public in-state tuition discount—Iowa private tuition differs from public community college or regent pricing.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Sioux City sits where Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota meet, serving a regional population across the Loess Hills and rural communities. Major providers include MercyOne Sioux City, UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s, and numerous clinics, long-term care, and community agencies that mirror BCU’s clinical rotation mix (hospitals, community health, long-term care). BCU’s NP program asks students to help identify preceptors—especially outside the immediate Siouxland area—so confirm site availability for your specialty early.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| MercyOne Sioux City | Not-for-profit Catholic system with acute and specialty services; common destination for nursing clinical experiences in the metro area. |
| UnityPoint Health — St. Luke’s | Regional medical center with broad inpatient and outpatient services; illustrative of high-acuity exposure for students. |
| Community & public health | Home health, schools, long-term care, and population-health rotations complement hospital experiences. |
| Regional demand | Rural and urban communities across western Iowa and the tri-state area recruit RNs and advanced practice nurses—conditions vary by specialty and employer. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
BCU’s BSN page highlights renovated simulation, chemistry, and biology laboratories and regional anatomy learning opportunities. The graduate nursing pages emphasize online coursework with periodic on-campus lab intensives for NP students. Student life includes broader campus ministry and activities—confirm active nursing student organizations and honor societies with the Department of Nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Sioux City, IA
- Address
- 3303 Rebecca Street, Sioux City, IA 51104, US
- Telephone
- (712) 279-5200 (general)
- Contact
- briarcliff.edu/contact (routing form)
- Website
- Briar Cliff University — Bachelor of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the BSN Student Handbook 2025–2026 and graduate handbook if you are considering MSN/DNP.
- Review BCU’s catalog / registration for prerequisite coursework and progression rules.
- Bookmark the Iowa Board of Nursing — Nursing Program Statistics and BCU’s published outcomes on the BSN page.
- Compare 2025–26 tuition and fees and run the Net Price Calculator.
- If you are an MSN NP applicant, map the four on-campus lab days in Sioux City against your work schedule.
- Submit the FAFSA with school code 001846 and contact financial.aid@briarcliff.edu with aid questions.
- Schedule a campus visit or attend a virtual session through admissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Briar Cliff University a good school for nursing?
BCU states its BSN, MSN, post-graduate APRN certificate, and DNP programs are CCNE-accredited and Iowa Board of Nursing–approved. Published first-time NCLEX-RN rates on the BSN page were 66.6% (2022), 100% (2023), and 100% (2024) by calendar year (school-reported; small cohorts). Confirm accreditation, approval, and outcomes with BCU, CCNE, and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
What nursing programs does Briar Cliff University offer?
BCU lists a pre-licensure BSN (upper division), online MSN NP tracks (FNP, AGPCNP, PMHNP), post-graduate APRN certificates, and a post-master’s DNP. Verify current titles in the catalog and department pages.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Briar Cliff BSN graduates?
According to BCU’s First-Time Licensure Pass Rates table, calendar-year rates were 66.6% (2022), 100% (2023), and 100% (2024). Confirm the latest cohort with Iowa Board of Nursing program statistics and BCU.
What GPA does Briar Cliff require for the pre-licensure BSN?
BCU’s BSN page states a 2.75 cumulative GPA for admission, progression, and graduation. MSN applicants need a 3.0 cumulative GPA from the BSN per the nurse practitioner admissions list.
What tuition does Briar Cliff publish for 2025–26?
Undergraduate: $1,244/credit tuition + $44/credit general fees; $18,661/semester full-time tuition plus semester fees per the Undergraduate Costs page. Graduate NP/DNP band: $585/credit tuition + $67/credit general fees + $75/credit clinic fee where applicable per the Graduate Study Costs page. Confirm your bill with Student Accounts.
Does Briar Cliff require the TEAS for BSN admission?
A TEAS or HESI requirement is not stated on the BCU nursing program page summarized for this guide. Review the BSN Student Handbook.
Where do Briar Cliff nursing students complete clinicals?
BCU cites 840+ clinical hours in hospitals, community agencies, and long-term care for the BSN. MSN students complete ≥750 practicum hours and may need to arrange preceptors—especially outside Siouxland. Confirm sites with the Department of Nursing.
When can I apply to Briar Cliff’s nursing major?
BCU indicates current students apply in the spring of sophomore year after meeting criteria; transfer students should contact admissions. Graduate programs accept applications year-round per BCU’s NP and DNP pages.
Does Briar Cliff accept nursing transfer credits?
BCU’s FAQ states nursing courses completed elsewhere are not accepted toward the pre-licensure BSN—contact admissions for details. Up to 9 graduate credits may transfer toward the DNP per the DNP FAQ.
References
- Briar Cliff University — Bachelor of Nursing (BSN)briarcliff.edu/current-chargers/academics/nursing
- Briar Cliff University — Nurse Practitioner (MSN)briarcliff.edu/…/nurse-practitioner
- Briar Cliff University — Doctor of Nursing Practicebriarcliff.edu/…/doctor-of-nursing-practice
- Briar Cliff University — Nursing accreditationbriarcliff.edu/…/nursing-accreditation
- Briar Cliff University — Undergraduate Costs (2025–26)briarcliff.edu/…/undergraduate
- Briar Cliff University — Graduate Study Costs (2025–26)briarcliff.edu/…/graduate
- Iowa Board of Nursing — Nursing Program Statisticsnursing.iowa.gov/…/nursing-program-statistics
- 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 of BSN/MSN/DNP program listings with Briar Cliff University’s official nursing pages, 2025–26 tuition tables, and school-reported NCLEX and employment outcomes.
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 Iowa Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy