Jefferson Community and Technical College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Jefferson Community and Technical College (JCTC), part of KCTCS, offers pre-licensure ADN and Practical Nursing pathways in the Louisville metro—with clinical training tied to major Kentucky health systems. This guide summarizes official KCTCS costs, HESI-based admissions, and NCLEX outcomes published by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
JCTC’s ADN runs on the Downtown campus and in a hybrid evening/weekend format at Shelby County, while PN offers a hybrid track in Carrollton—so you can align nursing school with work and family schedules while staying inside KCTCS’s published tuition structure.
Overview & Why Students Choose Jefferson Community and Technical College
As the largest community college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Jefferson Community and Technical College anchors healthcare career pipelines across Louisville and surrounding counties. Nursing students split time between campus labs—centered in Health Sciences Hall on the Downtown campus—and clinical sites that reflect the breadth of Kentucky’s largest metro healthcare market.
Jefferson’s catalog awards an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing for the ADN pathway; throughout this guide we use ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) for that pre-licensure RN track. The college also offers a Practical Nursing diploma (NCLEX-PN) and an LPN-to-ADN transition course sequence for licensed practical nurses who meet prerequisites.
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing prelicensure NCLEX tables, Jefferson Community & Technical College’s Louisville ADN program (NCLEX code US76407500) posted a 93.2% pass rate for calendar year 2024 (73 first-time testers within one year of completion, 68 passed). Confirm the next published year with the KBN benchmarks / pass-rate documents and JCTC.
Reasons students choose JCTC
KBN-reported NCLEX-RN outcomes
The Louisville ADN cohort’s 2024 pass rate in KBN’s statewide tables met the Board’s 80% benchmark and tracked above the rolling three-year average shown alongside other Kentucky ASN programs.
Multiple campuses & formats
ADN is offered Downtown and in a hybrid model at Shelby County; PN runs Downtown and in a hybrid evening-friendly format at Carrollton—helpful if you need flexible scheduling while completing prerequisites.
ACEN-accredited ADN
JCTC publishes ACEN accreditation for the Downtown ADN program with a continuing accreditation decision—important if you plan to ladder into an RN-to-BSN completion program later.
Transparent KCTCS pricing
KCTCS sets predictable per-credit tuition and mandatory fees, and JCTC publishes a full cost-of-attendance table for 2025–26—useful for comparing against private programs in the same city.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following pathways are drawn from JCTC’s nursing program pages and the KCTCS catalog. Jefferson does not award a standalone BSN—graduates who want a bachelor’s degree typically transfer into an RN-to-BSN completion program at a four-year partner.
Pre-licensure (RN & LPN)
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Four full-time semesters of nursing curriculum plus general education, culminating in an Associate in Applied Science in Registered Nursing. Offered on the Downtown campus and in a hybrid format at the Shelby County campus (evening/weekend labs and clinicals). Graduates qualify for the NCLEX-RN. The Downtown program is ACEN-accredited and KBN-approved.
Practical Nursing diploma
Diploma program preparing students for the NCLEX-PN (LPN licensure). Delivered Downtown and in a hybrid format at Carrollton. JCTC notes the diploma can be completed in about 12 months at full-time pace.
LPN-to-ADN transition
Licensed practical nurses who complete specified science, English, math, and psychology prerequisites may enter the NRS 200 LPN-to-ADN transition course before continuing the standard ADN sequence. Verify seat availability and GPA rules with the Nursing Division.
KBN lists a separate NCLEX code for Jefferson’s Shelbyville campus with smaller annual tester counts. Review both the Louisville and Shelbyville rows when evaluating outcomes, and confirm which campus you are applying to.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Kentucky publishes prelicensure pass rates using calendar-year data for graduates who tested as first-time candidates within one year of program completion. The table below highlights Jefferson’s Louisville ADN program—the college’s largest tester group—and points to Practical Nursing data reported in the same KBN document series.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (ADN, Louisville campus, CY 2024) | 93.2% (68 of 73 first-time testers passed) — KBN Associate Degree Nursing table, Jefferson Community & Technical College Louisville (US76407500) |
| NCLEX-RN (ADN, Louisville — recent prior years, KBN) | 2023: 92.3% (84 of 91); 2022: 90.5% (76 of 84); 2021: 94.3% (83 of 88) |
| NCLEX-RN (ADN, Shelbyville campus) | 2024: 100% (11 of 11 testers) — small annual cohort; confirm ongoing results with KBN. |
| NCLEX-PN (Louisville campus, CY 2024) | 100% (28 of 28 first-time testers passed) — KBN Practical Nursing table (US76109500); interpret with small cohort size. |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (five-year tables) (data through calendar year 2024; document updated March 2025). Confirm newer years when published after the April KBN review cycle. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and campus. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Kentucky Board of Nursing and Jefferson’s nursing program administrators before making enrollment decisions.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
KCTCS colleges enroll domestic and international students across programs, but clinical nursing placements and Kentucky licensure rules add extra checkpoints. Treat the list below as planning guidance—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent minimums with JCTC Admissions and the Nursing Division.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Use the evaluation service required by KCTCS for any coursework completed outside the U.S.
- Kentucky Board of Nursing: For RN or LPN licensure by examination, review KBN’s education and examination rules, including any requirements for internationally educated applicants.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical rotations may require background checks, drug screens, and facility clearance; visa status can affect placement availability.
Policies change frequently. Verify with JCTC’s admissions office, the KCTCS international student contact (if applicable), and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Jefferson’s nursing programs are selective-admission: you must attend a mandatory pre-admission conference, meet GPA thresholds, and— for first-time ADN applicants—submit HESI A2 scores by the published deadline. Bridge (LPN-to-ADN) and readmit applicants follow modified testing rules outlined on the pre-admission conference page.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 ADN | April 15, 2026 | After attending a mandatory pre-admission conference; online application link emailed by the ADN coordinator. |
| Fall 2026 PN | April 15, 2026 | Per PN pre-admission instructions; attend the campus-specific conference first. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nursing GPA (ADN) | Regular admission: ≥2.75 Nursing GPA on pre-admission requirements; Priority admission: ≥3.0 Nursing GPA when prerequisite/corequisite coursework is complete (per JCTC pre-admission materials). |
| Entrance exam | HESI A2 (Anatomy & Physiology, Math, Vocabulary) for first-time ADN applicants; scores due by the application deadline. Bridge applicants per JCTC guidance. |
| TEAS | Not used for JCTC nursing—HESI is the listed exam. |
| Practical Nursing prerequisites | BIO 137 or BIO 135, medical terminology, and ENG 101 must be completed by the date stated for the entry term (e.g., May 2026 for Fall 2026) per JCTC. |
Campus choice
Applicants may only apply to one JCTC nursing campus; readmits must apply to the campus they previously attended—confirm this rule before registering for conferences.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come directly from JCTC’s Tuition & Charges page (2025–26). Total program cost depends on credit load, campus fees, course delivery (online courses add a distance-learner fee), and whether you qualify for Kentucky residency or regional reciprocity.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Kentucky resident) | $195 per credit hour |
| Tuition (out-of-state) | $270 per credit hour |
| Mandatory fee | $8 per credit hour (BuildSmart investment) |
| Online-only courses | $195 per credit hour for all students (plus mandatory and distance fees as applicable) |
| Distance learner fee | $20 per credit hour when applicable |
| PN program supplies | JCTC notes two payments of $1,435.33 during the PN program for textbooks/resources (per Practical Nursing page). |
| Estimated COA (in-state, 12 cr/semester) | JCTC lists estimated direct costs of $4,680 tuition + $192 fees (academic year reference on the tuition page). |
| Source | Jefferson Community and Technical College — Tuition & Charges |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use the table below to separate KBN-reported NCLEX data (calendar-year, first-time testers within one year of completion) from employment survey figures published on JCTC’s ADN program page. Cohort sizes and response rates affect employment percentages—confirm methodology with the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (KBN, Louisville ADN, CY 2024) | 93.2% — attributed above; confirm newer calendar years on the KBN pass-rate PDF. |
| NCLEX-PN pass rate (KBN, Louisville PN, CY 2024) | 100% (28 of 28 testers) — small cohort; confirm with KBN. |
| Job placement (JCTC program outcomes table) | JCTC’s ADN page lists “94% of respondents were employed as an RN within 6–12 months after graduation” for the 2021 reporting year, alongside a 2021 graduate completion rate and NCLEX success rate. Confirm current survey methodology and response rates with JCTC. |
| Source | KBN Pass Rates PDF; JCTC Associate Degree Nursing outcomes table. |
Is Jefferson Community and Technical College the Right Fit for You?
Choose JCTC if you want an affordable, board-tracked community college nursing education inside Kentucky’s largest city; look elsewhere if you need an online-only RN program or a traditional four-year BSN without transferring.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want KCTCS tuition rates and are comfortable with selective admission plus HESI testing.
- Value multiple campus formats (Downtown, Shelby hybrid, Carrollton PN hybrid).
- Plan to work locally and can commit to clinical rotations across the Louisville metro.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect an immediate BSN without a future RN-to-BSN bridge at another institution.
- Cannot attend mandatory conferences, testing at Jefferson’s center, or evening/weekend clinical blocks.
- Need a fully online pre-licensure RN program (JCTC’s ADN includes in-person labs and clinicals).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Louisville anchors Kentucky’s largest hospital networks, giving JCTC students access to tertiary care, community hospitals, and rural extension sites as clinical partners rotate by semester.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Norton Healthcare | Large not-for-profit system headquartered in Louisville; broad inpatient and ambulatory footprint for adult and pediatric care. |
| UofL Health | Academic health network tied to the University of Louisville; includes specialty quaternary services and regional hospitals. |
| Baptist Health (Kentucky & Southern Indiana) | Multi-hospital faith-based system with facilities serving Greater Louisville and surrounding counties. |
| Community & rural partners | Carrollton and Shelbyville students also connect with providers along the I-71 corridor and in surrounding rural counties—important for primary-care and long-term care exposure. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing coursework clusters in Health Sciences Hall on the Downtown campus, where Jefferson operates its testing center for the HESI A2 and skills laboratories for both ADN and PN students. Satellite locations in Shelbyville and Carrollton use hybrid delivery so lectures may be online while labs and clinical experiences remain in person.
Beyond clinical gear, expect the same student-life resources available to all KCTCS students—tutoring, accessibility services (ARC contact listed for accommodated HESI testing), and Louisville’s food, culture, and riverfront amenities when you need downtime.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Louisville, KY
- Address
- 109 E Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202, US
- General phone
- (502) 213-4000
- Nursing program
- (502) 213-2440 · jf-NursingInfo@kctcs.edu
- Website
- jefferson.kctcs.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Bookmark the Nursing Pre-Admission Conferences page and register for the ADN or PN session that matches your campus.
- Compare your transcripts to BIO 137/139, ENG 101, and other prerequisites listed for your pathway.
- Schedule the HESI A2 at Jefferson’s Testing Center if you are a first-time ADN applicant; submit scores before the application deadline.
- Download the Kentucky Board of Nursing pass-rate tables and note Jefferson’s rows for your campus.
- Estimate semester bills using the Tuition & Charges page plus mandatory fees.
- Email jf-NursingInfo@kctcs.edu with campus-specific questions about hybrid schedules or bridge entry.
- Add the published application deadline to your calendar with reminders two weeks before.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Jefferson Community and Technical College offer?
JCTC offers a KBN-approved ADN program (AAS in Registered Nursing; NCLEX-RN), a Practical Nursing diploma (NCLEX-PN), and an LPN-to-ADN transition sequence for eligible LPNs. Formats include Downtown Louisville, Shelby County hybrid ADN, and hybrid PN at Carrollton.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Jefferson Community and Technical College?
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF (calendar-year 2024 data), Jefferson’s Louisville ADN program reported a 93.2% pass rate (68 of 73 first-time testers). Confirm newer years on the KBN website and with JCTC.
What is the NCLEX-PN pass rate for Jefferson Practical Nursing?
KBN’s 2024 table shows a 100% pass rate for the Louisville PN campus (28 of 28 testers). Cohort sizes fluctuate—confirm current statistics with KBN and JCTC rather than relying on a single year.
Does Jefferson Community and Technical College require the TEAS?
No—JCTC’s ADN materials specify the HESI A2 exam (three subject areas) for first-time applicants. Practical Nursing follows the PN pre-admission conference process instead of TEAS.
How much is tuition at Jefferson Community and Technical College?
For 2025–26, JCTC lists $195 per credit for Kentucky residents, $270 for nonresidents, plus an $8 per credit mandatory fee. Online-only courses bill at $195 per credit regardless of residency, with additional distance fees when applicable.
When is the nursing application deadline at Jefferson Community and Technical College?
For Fall 2026 ADN and PN entry, JCTC published an April 15, 2026 deadline after mandatory pre-admission conferences. Always verify the active cycle on the Pre-Admission Conference page.
What GPA do I need for Jefferson Community and Technical College ADN nursing?
JCTC advertises regular admission with a Nursing GPA of at least 2.75 on pre-admission requirements and priority admission at 3.0 when prerequisite/corequisite coursework is complete. Individual courses still require at least a C where specified.
Is Jefferson Community and Technical College’s nursing program accredited?
The ADN program at the Downtown campus is accredited by ACEN with a continuing accreditation decision, per JCTC’s public disclosure. PN is approved by KBN; confirm specialized accreditation statements for PN on official pages.
What should international students know about Jefferson Community and Technical College nursing?
Plan for English proficiency testing, credential evaluation, visa-compliant clinical placements, and Kentucky licensure steps after graduation. Confirm details with JCTC and the Kentucky Board of Nursing—this FAQ is general guidance only.
References
- Jefferson Community and Technical College — Associate Degree Nursingjefferson.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/nursing.aspx
- Jefferson Community and Technical College — Practical Nursingjefferson.kctcs.edu/education-training/program-finder/nursing-pn.aspx
- Jefferson Community and Technical College — Tuition & Charges (2025–26)jefferson.kctcs.edu/affording-college/tuition-costs
- Jefferson Community and Technical College — Nursing Pre-Admission Conferencesjefferson.kctcs.edu/…/pre-admission-conference.aspx
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (five-year tables, incl. 2024)kbn.ky.gov (Pass Rates PDF)
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Program benchmarks & methodologykbn.ky.gov/Education/Pages/kentucky-program-of-nursing-benchmarks.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 NCLEX data alignment with Kentucky Board of Nursing publications, KCTCS tuition disclosures, and JCTC nursing admissions pages.
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 Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy