Clarke University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, offers a pre-licensure BSN, a hybrid Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with FNP, PMHNP, and Health Leadership and Practice tracks, an MSN-to-DNP bridge, and a post-master’s Nursing Education Certificate. This guide uses Clarke’s published program pages, 2026–27 tuition tables, and first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for Clarke’s baccalaureate program from Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 (NCSBN-based)—confirm every detail with Clarke and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Clarke combines a hands-on BSN with the Marie Miske Center for Science Inquiry (simulation and cadaver lab), small clinical groups (about eight students), and a 120-hour senior preceptorship in a unit of your choice. Graduate pathways center on a hybrid DNP (limited cohorts) and an MSN-to-DNP bridge—check the DNP page for current application windows, because Clarke has posted pauses for specific entry terms.
Overview & Why Students Choose Clarke University
Clarke University is a private Catholic university on a residential campus in Dubuque, along the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa. The Department of Nursing emphasizes holistic, hands-on learning: early clinical exposure, high-fidelity simulation in the Marie Miske Center for Science Inquiry, and a structured senior preceptorship that Clarke markets as beyond typical undergraduate placement.
At the graduate level, Clarke offers a hybrid DNP with nurse practitioner and leadership concentrations, an MSN-to-DNP bridge for nurses who already hold an MSN, and a post-master’s Nursing Education Certificate. Clarke’s public pages do not list a standalone MSN or an RN-to-BSN completion track—confirm pathways with the department if your goal is RN licensure via a completion program.
According to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals RN Program Data 2025 (first-time NCLEX-RN candidates prepared in Iowa programs; columns 2021–2025 from NCSBN Program Summary), Clarke University (Baccalaureate Programs row) had a 91.67% first-time pass rate in the 2025 column (12 candidates). Prior columns show 85.00% (2024, 20 candidates), 93.75% (2023, 16), 81.25% (2022, 16), and 83.33% (2021, 24). Confirm the latest annual file on the Iowa DIAL nursing program statistics page and with Clarke.
Reasons students choose Clarke University
Official NCLEX reporting
Iowa publishes program-level first-time pass data by year; Clarke’s BSN row appears under Baccalaureate Programs in the state RN data file—use it alongside Clarke’s own disclosures.
Simulation & sciences
Clarke highlights a simulator lab and a 10-table cadaver lab in the Marie Miske Center, supporting skills before hospital rotations.
CCNE-accredited scope
Clarke states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate program, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Iowa Board of Nursing approval for pre-licensure and DNP programs.
Dubuque clinical partners
Published examples include UnityPoint Health/Finley Hospital, MercyOne Trinity Health System, Hospice of Dubuque, and Regional Cancer Centers—confirm current contracts.
Graduate mentorship model
The DNP advertises cohorts capped at 20, peer mentorship between first- and third-year students, and 1,000+ clinical hours aligned to concentration.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects Clarke’s Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice pages and the Applying to the Nursing Major requirements. Programs are grouped as pre-licensure undergraduate and graduate / doctoral.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Traditional pre-licensure BSN with progression into a clinical major after university prerequisites. Clarke describes clinical groups of about eight students, multiple years of hospital and community experiences, and a 120-hour senior preceptorship in a unit you select. Leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility when all requirements are met.
Graduate & doctoral
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Clarke’s hybrid DNP meets face-to-face on the first and third Thursdays of each month; cohorts are limited to 20 students. Concentrations include Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), and Health Leadership and Practice (HLP), with 1,000+ concentration-specific clinical hours.
MSN to DNP Bridge
For nurses who already hold an MSN—approximately 39–48 credits depending on whether Physical Assessment, Pathophysiology, and Pharmacology were completed in the MSN, per Clarke’s bridge page.
Nursing Education Certificate
Twelve credits (four courses) that can stack onto a DNP concentration or be completed as a standalone post-master’s certificate; includes 250 clinical hours and eligibility to pursue the Certified Nurse Educator exam after meeting requirements, per Clarke’s certificate page.
Clarke’s DNP page has posted application pauses for specific entry terms (for example, “no longer accepting applications for Fall 2026” at the time this guide was reviewed). Always verify the current academic catalog and DNP admission page before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Iowa’s Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIAL) publishes annual RN Program Data tables built from the NCSBN Program Summary, Licensure Examination Reports. The table below quotes Clarke University’s row under Baccalaureate Programs in RN Program Data 2025 (columns labeled 2021–2025).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 — BSN first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (Clarke) | 91.67% (12 first-time candidates), per Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 |
| 2024 | 85.00% (20 candidates) |
| 2023 | 93.75% (16 candidates) |
| 2022 | 81.25% (16 candidates) |
| 2021 | 83.33% (24 candidates) |
| Source | Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025 (PDF); overview page: Nursing program statistics. Confirm current cohorts with Iowa DIAL and Clarke. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort; small class sizes can move percentages sharply year to year. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Iowa Board of Nursing / DIAL publications and Clarke.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Clarke admits international students and lists an international health insurance fee on its undergraduate tuition tables. Nursing applicants must still satisfy clinical clearance, immunizations, background checks, and other program requirements. 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 Clarke’s international admission office and the Department of Nursing.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow Clarke’s international admissions steps for prerequisite coursework and any required evaluations.
- Iowa Board of Nursing: For RN licensure and NCLEX eligibility—including internationally educated nurses—review Iowa Board requirements and documentation.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Confirm that required U.S. clinical hours, travel, and DNP campus weekends fit your visa category.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Clarke’s international office, the Department of Nursing, and the Iowa Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Clarke admits students to the university first; progression into the clinical nursing major is a separate, competitive step after prerequisites. Clarke’s public Applying to the Nursing Major page lists the full checklist for the clinical portion (sophomore-level entry), including science grades, CNA certification, CPR/first aid, references, interview, background check, and proof of insurance.
Application timeline
| Program | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (pre-licensure) | Nursing major + Applying | Submit the department application packet after prerequisites; obtain forms and schedule an interview through the nursing office (123A CBH; (563) 588-6361 as listed on Clarke’s applying page). |
| DNP / MSN–DNP bridge | DNP admission process | Graduate nursing posts preference for cumulative/core GPA ≥ 3.0; verify whether specific cohorts are open—Clarke has announced application pauses for some terms. |
| General undergraduate admission | Apply to Clarke | University admission is separate from admission to the clinical nursing major. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (clinical major application) | Clarke lists a cumulative 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale for application to the clinical portion, with minimum grades in science and social science courses as specified on the applying page. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed among the published clinical admission requirements summarized for this guide—confirm with the Department of Nursing. |
| Other requirements | CNA certification, CPR/first aid, two references (one academic, one personal), department interview, background check, mandatory reporter training, health records. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Clarke is a private university; published undergraduate tuition is listed as a full-time academic-year amount rather than separate Iowa resident vs. non-resident bands on the Undergraduate Basic Fees page. Graduate DNP students use the Graduate Basic Fees per-credit table. Housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses are additional.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition (full-time, academic year) | $42,640 for 2026–2027 ($21,320 per semester), per Clarke’s Undergraduate Basic Fees table |
| Per-credit equivalent (undergrad, reference) | Table lists about $1,375.48 per credit hour for 2026–2027 (DoD MOU veteran formula note) |
| Mandatory undergraduate fees (full-time academic year) | Student Services Fee $800 + Technology Fee $680 (2026–2027 table) |
| DNP tuition per credit | $880 per credit hour (2026–2027 Graduate Basic Fees) |
| Graduate technology & student services fee | $50 per credit hour (2026–2027) |
| Source | Clarke — Undergraduate Basic Fees; Clarke — Graduate Basic Fees. Confirm current amounts with Clarke Student Accounts. |
Review Clarke’s Financial Aid and Scholarships & Awards pages and submit the FAFSA; graduate students may contact graduate@clarke.edu about scholarships referenced on DNP materials.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics change by cohort. The table below focuses on NCLEX-RN using Iowa DIAL RN Program Data. For DNP outcomes, Clarke’s website has referenced certification exam performance and employment metrics—treat those as school-reported snapshots, confirm methodology and cohort year with Clarke, and avoid treating marketing summaries as guarantees.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (first-time, BSN) | 91.67% in the 2025 column of Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 (12 first-time candidates). See NCLEX section for the full five-year row. |
| DNP certification / employment (school-reported language) | Clarke DNP pages have described strong certification pass and employment outcomes using aggregate program language. Confirm current figures, definitions, and cohort years directly with Clarke. |
| Source | Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025; Clarke — DNP. Confirm current data with Iowa DIAL and Clarke. |
Is Clarke University the Right Fit for You?
Clarke fits students who want a private, mission-driven campus with a nursing program that foregrounds simulation, cadaver-based anatomy, and a structured senior preceptorship. Use the checklist below to weigh trade-offs.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a traditional BSN with small clinical groups and a defined preceptorship in the Dubuque market.
- Plan to pursue a hybrid DNP with periodic on-campus intensives and national clinical placement support.
- Value a Catholic liberal arts environment and close faculty relationships highlighted in Clarke’s materials.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a public in-state tuition price point—Clarke’s published tuition reflects private-college pricing.
- Require a fully online RN-to-BSN completion program—Clarke does not list that pathway on the pages summarized here.
- Expect automatic progression into the clinical major without meeting Clarke’s GPA, CNA, and application requirements.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Dubuque is a regional hub on the Upper Mississippi, bridging Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. Clarke nursing materials highlight partnerships with UnityPoint Health/Finley Hospital, MercyOne Trinity Health System, hospice, and cancer-care providers—giving students exposure to inpatient, specialty, and community settings within a compact geography.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| UnityPoint Health — Finley Hospital | Major Dubuque hospital brand referenced on Clarke’s nursing page for clinical learning. |
| MercyOne Trinity Health System | Regional Catholic health system serving northeast Iowa and nearby communities—broad service lines for student rotations. |
| Hospice of Dubuque & Regional Cancer Centers | Illustrative community and oncology experiences beyond acute care floors. |
| Regional demand | Rural counties and small cities across northeast Iowa continue to recruit RNs and advanced practice nurses—confirm employer needs with local workforce reports. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Clarke’s nursing students use the Marie Miske Center for Science Inquiry for simulation and anatomy, participate in the Clarke Association of Nursing Students (CANS), and may pursue study abroad service trips that Clarke has offered to countries such as Peru, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. The university emphasizes a compact, walkable campus and student life in Dubuque—confirm active organizations with the department.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Dubuque, IA
- Address
- 1550 Clarke Drive, Dubuque, IA 52001-3198, US
- Telephone
- (888) 825-2753 (general); nursing office (563) 588-6361
- Graduate nursing email
- graduate@clarke.edu
- Website
- Clarke University — Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read Clarke’s Applying to the Nursing Major checklist and compare it to your transcripts (especially sciences and cumulative GPA).
- Complete or schedule CNA and CPR/first aid if you have not already—both are required before the clinical major.
- Download Iowa’s latest RN Program Data PDF to track Clarke’s BSN first-time pass rates over time.
- Review 2026–27 tuition and fees, then run Clarke’s net-price tools if offered on the financial aid site.
- If you are DNP-bound, read the DNP admission process and confirm whether your intended cohort is accepting applications.
- Email graduate@clarke.edu for DNP questions or call (563) 588-6361 for undergraduate nursing advising.
- Submit the FAFSA and explore Clarke scholarships early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clarke University a good school for nursing?
Clarke publishes CCNE accreditation for its baccalaureate, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs and Iowa Board of Nursing approval for the BSN and DNP. Iowa DIAL’s RN Program Data 2025 lists Clarke’s Baccalaureate first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 91.67% in the 2025 column (12 candidates). Confirm accreditation and outcomes with Clarke, CCNE, and Iowa DIAL.
What nursing programs does Clarke University offer?
Clarke lists a pre-licensure BSN, a hybrid DNP with FNP, PMHNP, and Health Leadership and Practice tracks, an MSN-to-DNP bridge, and a post-master’s Nursing Education Certificate. Clarke does not list a standalone MSN or RN-to-BSN on the main nursing pages summarized here—verify the catalog.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Clarke University BSN graduates?
Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025 shows 91.67% first-time pass in the 2025 column, with smaller cohorts in the 2021–2024 columns (see the NCLEX table on this page). Confirm the newest PDF on the Iowa DIAL nursing program statistics page.
What GPA does Clarke require for the clinical nursing major?
Clarke’s applying page states a cumulative 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale for application to the clinical portion, alongside minimum grades in prerequisite sciences and social sciences. Confirm current policies with the Department of Nursing.
What tuition does Clarke publish for 2026–27?
Undergraduate Basic Fees list $42,640 academic-year tuition for full-time students in 2026–2027. Graduate Basic Fees list DNP tuition at $880 per credit plus a $50 per-credit technology and student services fee in 2026–2027. Housing and meals are extra.
Does Clarke University require the TEAS for nursing?
The public applying checklist summarized for this guide does not list TEAS or HESI. Confirm whether your cohort requires a standardized entrance exam.
Where do Clarke nursing students complete clinicals?
Clarke names partners such as UnityPoint Health/Finley Hospital, MercyOne Trinity Health System, Hospice of Dubuque, and Regional Cancer Centers, and describes a senior preceptorship. Confirm the current site list with the program office.
Is Clarke’s DNP program accepting applications?
Clarke’s DNP page has posted pauses for specific entry terms (for example, “no longer accepting applications for Fall 2026” at the time of review). Check the live DNP page before planning your timeline.
Does Clarke offer an online RN-to-BSN?
An RN-to-BSN completion program is not advertised on Clarke’s main nursing page summarized for this guide. If you are a licensed RN seeking a BSN, ask the department whether a completion pathway exists.
References
- Clarke University — Nursingclarke.edu/academics/nursing
- Clarke University — Applying to the Nursing Majorclarke.edu/academics/nursing/applying
- Clarke University — Doctor of Nursing Practiceclarke.edu/academics/doctor-of-nursing-practice
- Clarke University — Undergraduate Basic Feesclarke.edu/…/undergraduate-basic-fees
- Clarke University — Graduate Basic Feesclarke.edu/…/graduate-basic-fees
- Iowa DIAL — Nursing Program Statisticsdial.iowa.gov/…/nursing-program-statistics
- Iowa DIAL — RN Program Data 2025 (PDF)RN Program Data 2025
- 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/DNP program listings with Clarke’s official nursing and DNP pages, 2026–27 tuition tables, and first-time NCLEX-RN figures from Iowa DIAL RN Program Data 2025.
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