University of Kentucky College of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
Anchored in Lexington with UK HealthCare and a large simulation center, the College of Nursing offers Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN (ABSN), online RN-BSN, and graduate programs including MSN, DNP, and PhD. This guide summarizes verified program scope, Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) NCLEX-RN data for the BSN program, and published University of Kentucky tuition & fee figures from Student Account Services.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
The College pairs a large undergraduate program (including ~360 seats per year across fall and spring BSN cohorts) with a Clinical Simulation and Learning Center, strong ties to UK HealthCare, and KBN-documented BSN NCLEX outcomes you can verify in the state’s Pass Rates PDF. Graduate pathways include an online MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership, DNP, PhD, and multiple postgraduate certificates.
Overview & Why Students Choose UK College of Nursing
The University of Kentucky College of Nursing is part of a major public research university in Lexington—Kentucky’s second-largest city and a regional healthcare hub. The college highlights a Clinical Simulation and Learning Center, undergraduate clinical groups with about a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio in clinical settings (per UK’s Traditional BSN page), and graduate programs that include the nation’s first DNP (launched at UK in 2001, per UK graduate pages).
On this page, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for UK’s Baccalaureate (BSN) program come from the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years PDF (program code US76508700). Confirm the latest calendar year with KBN and the College of Nursing.
Reasons students choose UK College of Nursing
KBN-documented BSN NCLEX outcomes
For calendar year 2024, KBN data show a 98.4% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for UK’s BSN program (245 of 249 tested), with methodology defined in the state document.
Accelerated BSN (16 months)
Second-degree students can pursue a 16-month ABSN with block scheduling and online didactic paired with on-site labs and clinicals.
Online RN-BSN & online MSN
RN-BSN is 100% online; the MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership is also offered fully online, supporting working RNs.
UK HealthCare & Lexington ecosystem
Students access rotations and learning environments tied to a major academic health system and a broad Central Kentucky provider network—confirm current contracts with the college.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects the University of Kentucky College of Nursing offerings as published on nursing.uky.edu under Undergraduate and Graduate programs (March 2026 review).
Pre-licensure (RN preparation)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Students enter as Pre-Nursing, complete prerequisites, then apply to the professional nursing program (UK publishes ~360 seats per year split between fall and spring starts). State Registered Nurse Aide (SRNA) training is required before starting nursing courses; SRNA licensure is not required unless you work as an SRNA. Minimum 120 credits for the BSN; C or better in required nursing courses.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—approximately 16 months including summer, 54–55 credits, block schedule, online didactic with face-to-face labs and clinicals. Pathways for career changers, select military medics, active LPNs, and approved dual-degree students.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-BSN
100% online completion program for licensed RNs seeking a BSN.
Graduate & doctoral
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
UK lists an MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership as a 100% online program.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Practice-focused DNP; UK states it launched the first DNP program in the country in 2001.
PhD in Nursing
Research-focused PhD; UK notes Kentucky’s first research-focused nursing PhD program (1987).
Postgraduate certificates
Postgraduate APRN certificates (multiple population foci), Teaching Nursing, Executive Leadership, Clinical Certificate in Addictions, and others—see UK’s postgraduate certificate page for specialty details and immersion requirements.
Program names and tracks can change. Confirm active admissions, specialty availability, and delivery mode with the College of Nursing and the university catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years PDF (Baccalaureate Degree Nursing section; methodology: first-time testers who completed the NCLEX between January 1 and December 31 of the listed year and tested within one year of program completion), the University of Kentucky (program code US76508700) reported for calendar year 2024: 245 passed of 249 tested = 98.4%.
On the same KBN table, the Kentucky BSN aggregate for calendar year 2024 is 94.0% (footer row of the PDF), so UK’s single-year BSN rate is above that state aggregate for the same reporting year. For UK’s three-year combined column (calendar years 2022–2024), the PDF shows 759 passed of 792 tested = 95.8%. Earlier single-year columns in the same row (2020–2023) are available in the PDF for trend review.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN, CY 2024) | 98.4% (245/249 tested), per KBN Pass Rates PDF |
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, 3-year aggregate 2022–2024) | 95.8% (759/792 tested), same source |
| Kentucky BSN aggregate (CY 2024) | 94.0% (from KBN PDF BSN summary row—confirm column labels in the document) |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF). Confirm current cohorts with KBN and UK College of Nursing. |
NCLEX percentages vary by cohort and reporting year. Always verify the latest KBN publication and UK disclosures.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
UK’s College of Nursing notes that roughly 9% of graduate nursing students are international. Use the checklist below as orientation only; policies change. Confirm details with the College of Nursing international students page, UK International Center, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
- English proficiency: Follow UK’s published English proficiency requirements for degree admission and any nursing program add-ons.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: International transcripts may require evaluation (e.g., WES-style) per UK admissions—confirm with the International Center.
- Clinical & visa: Pre-licensure programs with in-person clinicals have visa and compliance implications; verify F-1 or other status with the International Center and the College of Nursing.
- KBN licensure: Kentucky RN licensure steps, background reporting, and NCLEX eligibility must align with KBN rules.
This section is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Admission differs by pathway. Summaries below follow UK’s Traditional BSN “High School Seniors” and professional program application pages and the Accelerated BSN overview (March 2026 review).
Traditional BSN (Pre-Nursing → professional major)
High school seniors applying as Pre-Nursing need at least a 3.4 unweighted high school GPA (4.0 scale) and placement into CHE 103 by the start of the spring semester. Admission to UK does not guarantee Pre-Nursing designation. To apply to the professional nursing program, UK lists a March 1 deadline for advancement the following academic year; you need at least 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 science GPA (college coursework), completion of prerequisites, and participation in an interview for cohort assignment. Approximately 360 seats are available (split fall/spring). ACT/SAT are optional for university admission under UK’s test-optional policy where applicable.
Accelerated BSN
Designed for career changers, eligible military medics, active LPNs from regionally accredited programs, and approved dual-degree students—see UK’s ABSN apply pages for prerequisites, science GPA rules, and deadlines. The program is 16 months including summer with online didactic and on-site labs/clinicals.
Graduate (MSN, DNP, PhD, certificates)
Each graduate pathway publishes prerequisites, RN licensure requirements (where applicable), and application materials on the corresponding UK graduate nursing or certificate page. Contact College of Nursing Student Services for cohort-specific questions.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nursing-specific acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage; UK publishes seat counts and GPA thresholds for the Traditional BSN pathway. |
| Minimum GPA (examples) | Pre-Nursing (high school): 3.4 unweighted. Professional nursing application: 3.0 cumulative and 3.0 science GPA (per UK pages reviewed). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on the UK Traditional BSN pages reviewed for this guide. Confirm for your pathway with Student Services. |
| Professional program deadline | March 1 for Traditional BSN major application (per UK); notifications in early June. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from UK Student Account Services Tuition Pricing FAQ (academic year 2025–2026 table). Your program (UKCampus vs UKOnline-only) and residency determine whether you pay the full-time campus cap or per-credit online rates—confirm with Student Account Services.
| Category | Published tuition & fees (2025–2026) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate — full-time UKCampus (12+ credits / semester) | Kentucky resident: $6,236.00 tuition + $717.50 mandatory fees = $6,953.50 per semester. Non-resident: $16,864.50 + $717.50 = $17,582.00 per semester. |
| Undergraduate — UKOnline only (per credit) | Tuition $631.00 + mandatory fees $23.00 = $654.00 total per credit hour (residency-blind for fully online programs). |
| Graduate — full-time on-campus (9+ credits) | Resident total $7,541.50 / Non-resident $18,662.50 per semester (tuition + mandatory fees per FAQ table). |
| Graduate — distance-only (per credit) | Part-time distance: tuition $759.50 + fees $30.50 = $790.00 per credit hour; plus $10/credit distance learning fee where applicable (per FAQ). |
| Source | UK Tuition Pricing FAQ. Room, board, books, course fees, and program-specific charges are extra—see the full cost of attendance. |
Financial aid: uky.edu/financialaid (UK FAFSA code 001989). Verify nursing-specific scholarships with the College of Nursing and the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX-RN: See the NCLEX section and KBN PDF for calendar 2024 and multi-year data. UK’s undergraduate pages also reference a 95% three-year NCLEX pass rate in marketing copy—align any marketing figure with the KBN tables for the same years.
Employment: Not available in the provided inputs/sources as a single published percentage for this page. For employment or salary outcomes, see UK’s consumer information or career services resources and confirm definitions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN, CY 2024) | 98.4% per Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF (see References). |
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, 3-year 2022–2024) | 95.8% (759/792 tested), same KBN source. |
| Post-graduation employment | Not publicly disclosed on this page; confirm with UK outcomes or career services. |
| Source | KBN Pass Rates PDF; UK College of Nursing. |
Is UK College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a large public research university with a dedicated nursing building, simulation center, and ties to UK HealthCare.
- Seek multiple pathways—Traditional BSN, 16-month ABSN, online RN-BSN, and graduate programs including MSN, DNP, and PhD.
- Plan to stay in Kentucky or the Ohio Valley for clinical networking and alumni connections.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a very small cohort or guaranteed private-college class size (UK’s BSN admits ~360 students per year across two cohorts).
- Require a fully online pre-licensure BSN (UK’s Traditional BSN and ABSN include in-person labs and clinicals).
- Prefer a program outside a major university setting—Lexington is a mid-size city with a flagship campus.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Lexington is the center of the Bluegrass region and hosts UK HealthCare—UK’s academic health system and a major employer. Additional regional systems (e.g., Baptist Health, CHI Saint Joseph Health) and community agencies provide breadth for community-health and public-health experiences. Demand for registered nurses remains strong across Kentucky; confirm specific clinical sites with the College of Nursing.
| Organization / type | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UK HealthCare (UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital) | Flagship academic medical center affiliated with the university; common touchpoint for advanced clinical learning. |
| Regional hospitals & clinics | Central Kentucky offers diverse inpatient and outpatient settings for nursing rotations. |
| Community health | Urban and rural community placements support population-health competencies. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing students use the Clinical Simulation and Learning Center for high-fidelity scenarios. UK lists undergraduate nursing organizations including NSNA, UNAAC (Undergraduate Nursing Activities and Advisory Council), and the Delta Psi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau for eligible members. The Interprofessional Healthcare Residential College offers a living-learning option for students interested in health careers.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Lexington, KY
- College of Nursing
- 315 College of Nursing Building, 751 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0232
- Student Services
- 859-323-5108 · conss@uky.edu
- Undergraduate admission
- admission.uky.edu
- Website
- nursing.uky.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the KBN NCLEX Pass Rates PDF and bookmark the Program of Nursing Benchmark PDF linked from KBN.
- Review UK’s Traditional BSN admission or Accelerated BSN pages for your pathway.
- Compare UKCampus vs UKOnline tuition rules on the Student Account FAQ if you are considering RN-BSN or other online programs.
- Schedule a visit or virtual session through UK Admissions and tour the nursing skills/simulation facilities if offered.
- File the FAFSA early (UK school code 001989) if seeking need-based aid.
- Plan SRNA training if you are on the Traditional BSN path—UK requires SRNA before starting nursing courses.
- Save kbn.ky.gov for Kentucky RN licensure questions after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for the University of Kentucky’s BSN program?
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (Baccalaureate Degree Nursing table; calendar year 2024), the University of Kentucky (US76508700) reported a 98.4% pass rate (245 passed of 249 tested). The three-year aggregate for 2022–2024 was 95.8% (759/792). Confirm the next publication on kbn.ky.gov.
Does UK College of Nursing require the TEAS?
The UK Traditional BSN pages reviewed for this guide do not list the TEAS. Verify whether any pathway requires TEAS, HESI, or other exams with College of Nursing Student Services.
How much is undergraduate tuition at the University of Kentucky?
Per UK’s Tuition Pricing FAQ (2025–2026), full-time undergraduate UKCampus students pay $6,953.50 per semester (tuition + mandatory fees) as Kentucky residents and $17,582.00 as non-residents. Fully online UKOnline undergraduate programs use a per-credit total of $654.00 in 2025–2026.
Is the University of Kentucky College of Nursing accredited?
UK states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, master’s, DNP, and post-graduate APRN certificate programs. Programs are approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Confirm on official disclosures.
When is the deadline to apply to UK’s professional nursing major?
UK lists March 1 to apply for advancement into the professional program for the following academic year, with notification in early June. Confirm dates in current College of Nursing materials.
How long is UK’s Accelerated BSN?
UK describes the ABSN as about 16 months including summer, with 54–55 credits and a block schedule combining online didactic with face-to-face labs and clinicals.
What graduate programs does UK College of Nursing offer?
UK lists an online MSN in Healthcare Systems Leadership, a DNP, a PhD in Nursing, and multiple postgraduate certificates (APRN, teaching, leadership, addictions, etc.).
Where do UK nursing students complete clinical rotations?
Clinical sites include UK HealthCare and regional partners across Central Kentucky; assignments vary by course—confirm with the College of Nursing.
What GPA does UK require for Pre-Nursing from high school?
UK lists a minimum 3.4 unweighted high school GPA for Pre-Nursing applicants and a 3.0 cumulative and science GPA when applying to the professional nursing program. Confirm current rules on the official apply pages.
References
- University of Kentucky College of Nursingnursing.uky.edu
- UK — Traditional BSN (apply / high school seniors)Traditional BSN — High School Seniors
- UK — Accelerated BSN overviewAccelerated BSN
- UK Student Account Services — Tuition Pricing FAQ (2025–2026)Tuition Pricing FAQ
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF)Pass Rates.pdf
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Program benchmarkskbn.ky.gov — Benchmarks
- 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 with UK College of Nursing program pages, the Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF, and UK Student Account Services tuition FAQ figures.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute admissions, financial, or legal advice. Requirements and costs change; verify with the University of Kentucky College of Nursing and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-24 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy