University of Louisville School of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
On the Health Sciences Campus, the University of Louisville School of Nursing anchors pre-licensure BSN (Louisville and Owensboro), Second Degree ABSN, online RN-BSN, master’s entry (MEPN), APRN graduate programs, DNP—including nurse anesthesia—and a PhD. This guide ties program scope to Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN) NCLEX tables and UofL bursar tuition figures you can verify at the source.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UofL pairs a metropolitan clinical footprint (including UofL Health) with SSH-accredited simulation and a full ladder from pre-licensure BSN through DNP and PhD. Use this page’s KBN-cited NCLEX rows and bursar tuition lines as starting points—then confirm the next publication cycle with the Board and the School of Nursing.
Overview & Why Students Choose UofL
The University of Louisville School of Nursing sits on UofL’s Health Sciences Campus near downtown Louisville, aligned with UofL Health and a dense regional hospital market. The school highlights CCNE-accredited BSN through DNP programs, a Clinical Simulation Center accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) for teaching/education through 2029, and graduate pathways that include multiple APRN specialties and a COA-accredited nurse anesthesia DNP.
On this page, first-time NCLEX-RN percentages for UofL’s pre-licensure rows come from the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years PDF (March 2025 publication on kbn.ky.gov). Confirm the latest calendar year with KBN and the School of Nursing.
Reasons students choose UofL
State-board traceable outcomes
KBN lists separate BSN rows for Louisville and Owensboro plus a MEPN row—so you can compare pathways using the same official methodology (first-time testers within one year of completion).
Full nursing ladder
From pre-licensure BSN and Second Degree ABSN to online RN-BSN, MSN (leadership and APRN), DNP (including anesthesia), PhD, and post-graduate APRN certificates—described on nursing.louisville.edu.
Metro clinical volume
Louisville’s tertiary systems—including UofL Health, Norton Healthcare, and Baptist Health—support broad inpatient and community experiences (exact placements vary by term).
Selective upper division
UofL publishes seat counts for Upper Division (e.g., 100 Louisville / 35 Owensboro per fall and spring) and minimum GPA thresholds—useful for planning competitiveness.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below reflects the University of Louisville School of Nursing public program menu on undergraduate and graduate pages and the accreditation disclosure (March 2026 review).
Pre-licensure (RN preparation)
Pre-Licensure BSN
Four-year pre-licensure BSN with lower division coursework and selective Upper Division admission; offered on the Louisville campus and Owensboro extension, per UofL admissions materials.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at UofL the program is the Second Degree ABSN for students who already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field; blended format with Louisville and Owensboro options described on the ABSN page.
MEPN (Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing)
KBN continues to publish a separate MEPN row for University of Louisville (code US76509800). Treat curriculum details as program-specific; confirm current structure and admissions with the School of Nursing.
Post-licensure & graduate
RN to BSN (Online)
Online completion BSN for licensed RNs with an ADN; the school describes options for LPNs and students still enrolled in ADN programs.
MSN — Leadership & APRN
MSN Leadership (practice and education tracks) and Nurse Practitioner APRN specialties including AGACNP, AGPCNP, FNP, NNP, PACNP, and PMHNP; applications through NursingCAS.
DNP & Nurse Anesthesia
MSN-to-DNP and Nurse Anesthesia DNP (COA-accredited per UofL); separate application timeline (August 1 close for anesthesia) on graduate admissions.
PhD in Nursing
Research doctorate preparing nurse scientists; admissions via NursingCAS with deadlines published on the graduate admissions page.
Post-graduate APRN certificates
Post-graduate certificates listed under CCNE scope on the accreditation page—confirm active specialties with the graduate office.
Pathway names, tracks, and delivery can change. Always verify the current catalog, NursingCAS listings, and School of Nursing announcements before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates – Past 5 Years PDF (first-time testers; tested within one year of program completion; calendar-year reporting), University of Louisville appears on three pre-licensure RN rows: Louisville BSN (US76507800), Owensboro BSN (US76500400), and MEPN (US76509800).
For calendar year 2024, the Louisville BSN row shows 167 passed of 196 tested = 85.2%; the PDF’s three-year aggregate column for that row reports 88.0% (485 passed of 551 tested). Owensboro BSN (CY 2024) shows 95.3% (41 passed of 43 tested). MEPN (CY 2024) shows 88.9% (16 passed of 18 tested)—interpret with a small annual tester count.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN, Louisville, CY 2024) | 85.2% (167/196), KBN code US76507800 |
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, Louisville, 3-year aggregate on KBN table) | 88.0% (485/551), same PDF row |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (BSN, Owensboro, CY 2024) | 95.3% (41/43), KBN code US76500400 |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (MEPN, CY 2024) | 88.9% (16/18), KBN code US76509800 |
| Source | Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF). Confirm current cohorts with KBN and UofL. |
NCLEX percentages vary by cohort, campus, and reporting year. Always verify the latest KBN publication and School of Nursing disclosures.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Use the checklist below as orientation only; policies change. Confirm details with the UofL Graduate School international resources (and undergraduate international admissions if applicable), the School of Nursing, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
- English proficiency: Graduate nursing materials reference English proficiency rules for applicants whose primary language is not English; confirm minimum scores for your program.
- Credential evaluation: International transcripts often require course-by-course evaluation (e.g., WES or ECE) as described in UofL graduate nursing and NursingCAS instructions.
- Visa & clinical eligibility: Clinical courses may require documentation compatible with affiliate hospitals; verify F-1 or other visa implications with the international office and the School of Nursing.
- KBN licensure: Kentucky RN/APRN 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 UofL’s published Upper Division nursing page, graduate admissions (NursingCAS), and undergraduate nursing admissions hubs.
Pre-Licensure BSN — Upper Division
UofL’s Upper Division page states selective admission each fall and spring: 100 students on the Louisville campus and 35 on the Owensboro extension per semester. Minimum 3.0 program-of-study GPA and 2.8 cumulative GPA are required for consideration, plus completion of lower-division requirements, a CastleBranch background check, and a goal statement. Application windows are March 1–May 1 (fall start) and September 15–November 1 (spring start).
Second Degree ABSN
The Second Degree ABSN publishes prerequisites, clinical compliance, and application steps on the nursing site; use the official ABSN admissions page for the most current GPA and science course rules.
Graduate (MSN/DNP/PhD)
Graduate programs use NursingCAS. The graduate admissions page lists February 1 (summer MSN verification), April 1 (fall MSN/DNP/APRN DNP/PhD verification), and August 1 (Nurse Anesthesia DNP verification). International applicants must meet additional Graduate School deadlines noted on that page.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Nursing-specific acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage; Upper Division uses seat counts and GPA thresholds. |
| Minimum GPA (Upper Division) | 3.0 program GPA and 2.8 cumulative (per Upper Division page). |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on the Upper Division excerpt reviewed here; confirm for your pathway. |
| Graduate exams | APRN tracks may require specialty-specific experience (e.g., ICU for AGACNP)—see Nurse Practitioner admissions page. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come from the University of Louisville Office of the Bursar — Tuition page (Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 summary). Fees, differential tuition, and program-specific charges may apply—use the bursar and catalog for the full bill.
| Program / category | Published tuition (UofL bursar) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate (per credit, < 12 credit hours) | $559 resident / $1,239 non-resident per credit hour |
| Undergraduate (full-time, 12+ credit hours per semester) | $6,695 resident / $14,868 non-resident per semester |
| RN-BSN online (online program rate) | $375 per credit hour (same rate for resident/non-resident on the online-programs table) |
| Graduate Nursing Program (per credit, < 9 credit hours) | $850 resident / $1,729 non-resident per credit hour |
| Graduate Nursing Program (full-time, 9+ credit hours per semester) | $7,652 resident / $15,554 non-resident per semester |
| DNP (Professional School Program Rates table) | $6,746 resident / $8,899 non-resident per semester (full-time row on bursar table) |
| PhD Nursing (Professional School Program Rates) | The bursar’s program-rate table lists PhD Nursing with the same non-resident semester amount shown for other doctoral nursing rows—confirm resident PhD nursing tuition on the current bursar page. |
| Source | UofL Bursar — Tuition. Confirm current amounts with Student Financial Services. |
Cost of attendance and aid: Financial Aid — Cost of Attendance. FAFSA federal school code 001999 (University of Louisville).
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX-RN: See the NCLEX section and KBN PDF for Louisville BSN, Owensboro BSN, and MEPN rows.
Employment / placement: Not publicly disclosed in the sources used for this page as a single audited percentage. For current employment or outcome statements, see the School of Nursing’s consumer information or career resources and confirm methodology with the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Louisville BSN, CY 2024) | 85.2% per Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF (see References). |
| Post-graduation employment | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage here; confirm current school-reported outcomes with UofL. |
| Source | KBN Pass Rates PDF; University of Louisville School of Nursing. |
Is University of Louisville the Right Fit for You?
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a public research university with an academic health system footprint and SSH-accredited simulation.
- Value transparent KBN-reported NCLEX rows for multiple pre-licensure pathways (Louisville, Owensboro, MEPN).
- Plan to progress from BSN to APRN or DNP using UofL’s NursingCAS graduate pathways.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Prefer a very small private cohort without a large university environment.
- Need a fully online pre-licensure BSN (UofL’s pre-licensure paths are campus-based or hybrid).
- Expect a single published “nursing acceptance rate” rather than GPA/seat-based selection.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Louisville anchors one of the region’s largest health economies. Nursing students routinely rotate through tertiary hospitals, community hospitals, and ambulatory settings tied to major systems. Confirm current affiliation agreements with the School of Nursing.
| Organization / type | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UofL Health | Academic health network aligned with the University of Louisville; includes specialty and regional hospitals. |
| Norton Healthcare | Large not-for-profit system headquartered in Louisville; broad inpatient and ambulatory footprint. |
| Baptist Health | Multi-hospital faith-based system serving Greater Louisville and Kentucky. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The School of Nursing’s Clinical Simulation Center is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) for teaching/education through December 31, 2029, per the accreditation page. Student services include academic advising, Cardinal Confidence resources, and student organizations tied to professional nursing—confirm active chapters with the School of Nursing.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Louisville, KY
- School of Nursing
- 555 South Floyd Street, Louisville, KY 40202
- Phone
- 502-852-5825 · Toll-free 1-877-816-8773
- nursinginfo@louisville.edu
- Website
- nursing.louisville.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the KBN Pass Rates PDF and locate UofL’s Louisville BSN, Owensboro BSN, and MEPN rows.
- Review undergraduate nursing admissions and graduate nursing admissions for your pathway.
- If applying to graduate nursing, create a NursingCAS account and verify transcript timelines.
- Attend a School of Nursing information session or schedule a visit through louisville.edu/visit.
- File the FAFSA early if seeking need-based aid (federal school code 001999).
- Complete CastleBranch steps for Upper Division if you are applying to the pre-licensure BSN.
- Bookmark the Kentucky Board of Nursing for future licensure questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for University of Louisville’s Louisville BSN program?
According to the Kentucky Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates PDF (Baccalaureate Degree Nursing table; calendar year 2024), University of Louisville Louisville (US76507800) reported an 85.2% pass rate (167 passed of 196 tested). The three-year aggregate column on the same row shows 88.0% (485/551). Confirm the next publication on kbn.ky.gov.
What is the NCLEX rate for University of Louisville Owensboro BSN?
On the same KBN BSN table, University of Louisville Owensboro (US76500400) shows 95.3% for calendar year 2024 (41 passed of 43 tested). Confirm newer years with KBN.
What about MEPN NCLEX data at University of Louisville?
KBN lists MEPN separately (US76509800). For calendar year 2024 the table shows 88.9% (16 passed of 18 tested)—a small annual cohort. The three-year aggregate column shows 92.9% (65/70).
Does University of Louisville publish undergraduate nursing tuition?
Yes. The UofL bursar tuition page lists undergraduate per-credit and full-time semester rates for Fall 2025–Spring 2026 (for example, $559 per credit in-state for students taking fewer than 12 credits). RN-BSN online lists $375 per credit on the online-programs section.
What GPA does University of Louisville Upper Division nursing require?
The Upper Division page lists a minimum 3.0 program-of-study GPA and 2.8 cumulative GPA for consideration, plus lower-division completion and background check requirements.
Is University of Louisville School of Nursing accredited?
The accreditation page states CCNE accreditation for BSN, MSN, DNP, and post-graduate certificate programs (reaccredited 2021; next review 2031) and COA accreditation for nurse anesthesia. Confirm with CCNE, COA, and the school.
What graduate deadlines does University of Louisville nursing use?
The graduate admissions page lists February 1 (summer MSN), April 1 (fall MSN/DNP/APRN DNP/PhD), and August 1 (Nurse Anesthesia), tied to NursingCAS verification. Confirm your program’s cycle.
Does University of Louisville require the TEAS for nursing?
The Upper Division materials reviewed for this page do not list the TEAS; confirm whether your pathway requires TEAS, HESI, or other exams with the School of Nursing.
Where do University of Louisville nursing students complete clinicals?
Clinical partners span the Louisville metro and regional sites tied to major health systems (e.g., UofL Health, Norton, Baptist). Exact placements vary—confirm with the School of Nursing.
References
- University of Louisville School of Nursingnursing.louisville.edu
- University of Louisville — Tuition (Bursar)louisville.edu/bursar/tuition
- University of Louisville School of Nursing — AccreditationAccreditation
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — NCLEX Pass Rates (PDF)Pass Rates.pdf
- Kentucky Board of Nursing — Program benchmarkskbn.ky.gov — Benchmarks
- University of Louisville — Upper Division admissionsUpper Division
- University of Louisville — Graduate nursing admissionsGraduate admissions
- 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 the University of Louisville School of Nursing program pages, the Kentucky Board of Nursing Pass Rates PDF, and the UofL bursar tuition table.
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 Louisville and the Kentucky Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-24 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy