Allegany College of Maryland Nursing: Programs, Costs & NCLEX (2026)
Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) runs a ladder nursing program in Cumberland with regional cohorts in Western Maryland and Pennsylvania, multiple delivery formats, and ACEN-accredited associate-level nursing. This guide summarizes verified program pathways, Fall 2025 tuition tiers, entrance testing (TEAS/HESI), and school-reported NCLEX outcomes—confirm details with ACM and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
ACM’s nursing program is designated as a Maryland Health Manpower Shortage Program, and the college publishes multi-format pathways—from traditional Cumberland day/evening classes to LPN-to-RN online and weekend hybrid—with clinical experiences totaling about 1,400 hours across the curriculum.
Overview & Why Students Choose Allegany College of Maryland
In Cumberland—Western Maryland’s regional hub—Allegany College of Maryland offers a comprehensive, openly priced community college nursing pathway. The program awards an Associate of Science in Nursing; we use ADN here as the common label for that pre-licensure RN track. After prerequisites and selective program admission, students progress through a ladder curriculum that can qualify them for CNA/GNA certification after the first semester, NCLEX-PN eligibility after the first year plus a five-week summer course, and NCLEX-RN eligibility after completing the second year—exact sequencing depends on your entry track.
ACM emphasizes affordability and access: multiple start formats (including online LPN-to-RN and weekend hybrid), satellite cohorts in Bedford County, Pennsylvania and Garrett County, Maryland, and designation as a Health Manpower Shortage Program through MHEC for eligible students.
According to the student achievement table on ACM’s official nursing program page, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 87.39% for calendar year 2025 (194 of 222 test takers). The same table notes these rates aggregate graduates testing in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. The Maryland Board of Nursing publishes fiscal-year RN exam statistics by program—use both ACM disclosures and MBON publications when comparing cohorts. Confirm the latest figures with ACM and the Board.
Reasons students choose ACM
Published NCLEX-RN outcomes
ACM publishes calendar-year first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates and tester counts alongside national ADN comparison figures on its nursing page—useful for transparency (confirm the latest year).
Flexible pathways & sites
Face-to-face day/evening, weekend hybrid, LPN-to-RN online, CMA-to-LPN/RN options, and bi-annual cohorts at Bedford County and Garrett County let students match study mode to work and family constraints.
Deep clinical immersion
ACM cites roughly 1,400 clinical hours over four semesters, exposing students to diverse settings across the region.
ACEN-accredited associate nursing
The associate degree nursing program is accredited by ACEN and approved by Maryland and Pennsylvania nursing boards—verify current status with ACM and the agencies.
Low published tuition tiers
Fall 2025 credit tuition starts at $136/credit for Allegany County residents before fees—among the most affordable published community college rates in the region.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects ACM’s public nursing program descriptions and application index. This is not a four-year university: there is no standalone BSN conferred entirely by ACM—RN preparation is at the associate level unless you pursue the separate Frostburg State BSN completion option described on the nursing application checklist.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN / ASN)
ACM awards an Associate of Science in Nursing through a ladder curriculum preparing graduates to apply for NCLEX-RN. Delivery options listed by ACM include on-campus day/evening, LPN-to-RN online, weekend hybrid, CMA-to-LPN or RN pathways, and cohorts at the Bedford County and Garrett County locations. After the first semester, students may be eligible for CNA/GNA certification; after year one plus a five-week summer course, NCLEX-PN eligibility is described for students pursuing the practical nurse exit.
Practical Nursing (LPN)
ACM lists a dedicated on-campus LPN application in addition to the RN ladder. Confirm prerequisites, timeline, and NCLEX-PN eligibility rules in the Nursing Info Book.
BSN completion (Frostburg State University)
For students pursuing the BSN option checklist, ACM notes HESI A2 testing (instead of TEAS) and later transition requirements to Frostburg State University. This is a completion pathway—not a second degree granted solely by ACM.
Pathway names, campus locations, and entrance tests differ by track. Always use the official nursing application checklists and the Nursing Info Book for your intended cohort.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the RN Licensing Exam Student Success table on ACM’s nursing program page, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Allegany College of Maryland was 87.39% in calendar year 2025 (194 of 222 graduates taking the exam). The footnote on that page states pass rates reflect aggregated rates for graduates testing in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. The same table lists national ADN comparison figures (for example, 88.27% national ADN NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 in that table).
The Maryland Board of Nursing publishes fiscal-year NCLEX-RN exam results by Maryland program in annual RN statistics PDFs. Those figures may differ in timeframe and methodology from ACM’s calendar-year, multi-state aggregate—review both when benchmarking.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (calendar year 2025) | 87.39% (194 of 222 test takers) per ACM nursing page |
| Prior years (ACM same table) | 2024: 97.11%; 2023: 91.30%; 2022: 83.93% first-time NCLEX-RN |
| Source | Allegany College of Maryland — Nursing; Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX exam statistics index. Confirm current cohorts with ACM and MBON. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and testing location. Always confirm the latest pass rates with ACM and the Maryland Board of Nursing (and Pennsylvania licensure resources if you test there).
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
ACM publishes an international student admissions overview. Nursing adds clinical, background-check, and board-specific requirements. Use the checklist below as guidance—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm TOEFL/IELTS or other proof required by ACM for admission.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow ACM’s international admissions instructions for official transcripts and any required evaluations.
- Maryland Board of Nursing: For NCLEX-RN eligibility after a Maryland program, confirm education and examination steps with MBON; internationally educated applicants without a U.S. nursing degree follow different pathways.
- Pennsylvania clinical/approval: Because ACM notes PA Board approval, PA-specific requirements may apply for certain cohorts or placements—confirm with the program.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses may have restrictions depending on visa type; verify F-1 or other status impacts with ACM and your immigration advisor.
Policies change frequently. Verify with ACM’s admissions/international office and the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing at ACM is selective beyond general college admission: you apply to the college and complete a separate nursing program application process with entrance testing. General college admissions publishes rolling deadlines and a high overall acceptance rate, but that does not predict nursing seat availability—treat nursing as a competitive, limited-access program.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Entrance test deadline (TEAS) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Take TEAS by September 30 | Per ACM college-student nursing checklist |
| Fall | Take TEAS by February 28 | Per ACM college-student nursing checklist |
| BSN option (Frostburg track) | HESI A2 by Sept 30 / Feb 28; exams in Feb & Sept | See BSN option checklist on the nursing application page |
ACM states only one TEAS exam score is accepted every three months—plan your retake calendar accordingly. See the TEAS instructions PDF.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| General college acceptance (context only) | ACM admissions page lists 99%—not nursing-specific |
| Placement testing | New college students may need the ACM placement exam (Accuplacer) before prerequisites per checklist |
| TEAS / HESI | TEAS for standard college-student track; HESI A2 for BSN option checklist |
Applicant tips: Complete prerequisite courses in the order advised by nursing advising, schedule TEAS early enough to allow a retake within ACM’s three-month rule, and download the Nursing Info Book for GPA and science course thresholds that apply to your pathway.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
ACM charges tuition by residency tier (Allegany County, Maryland out-of-county, out-of-state). The figures below are from the Fall 2025 tuition pages and exclude course-specific fees, books, housing, and personal expenses.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-county (Allegany County, MD) | $136 per credit hour (Fall 2025) |
| Maryland out-of-county | $288 per credit hour (Fall 2025) |
| Out-of-state | $392 per credit hour (Fall 2025) |
| Mandatory fees (examples) | $40 registration (per semester); $10 student + $10 technology + $6 sustainability per semester hour (Fall 2025 tables) |
| Source | ACM Tuition & Fees (in-county, out-of-county, out-of-state pages). Cost of attendance for total budgets. Confirm current rates with the Business Office. |
ACM notes discounted tuition programs (regional waiver, statewide health manpower shortage, Pennsylvania subsidy for eligible Bedford County online credits, etc.)—see Tuition & Fees and Scholarships.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Western Maryland’s healthcare labor market continues to draw nurses into hospital, clinic, and community roles; your outcomes depend on licensure, mobility, and experience. Use ACM’s published tables as a starting point, then confirm definitions with the college.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2025) | 87.39% (194/222) per ACM nursing page student achievement table |
| Program completion (4 semesters) | 65.2% for 2025 cohort in the same ACM table (see footnote on students still on track) |
| Job placement rate | ACM’s table lists 100% job placement for 2022–2025 calendar years—confirm how “placement” is defined and whether it includes in-field RN roles; verify with ACM. |
| Source | Allegany College of Maryland — Nursing (Student Achievement section). Confirm methodology with ACM. |
Is Allegany College of Maryland the Right Fit for You?
ACM fits students who want a public, community-college pathway to RN or LPN licensure with transparent published tuition and multiple delivery formats. It may be less ideal if you need a traditional four-year campus BSN without transferring or if you cannot travel to regional clinical sites.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an ADN or LPN credential with published clinical hour expectations and ACEN-accredited associate nursing.
- Need online LPN-to-RN, weekend hybrid, or regional cohort options in Western MD / south-central PA.
- Value low per-credit tuition for county residents and clear fee schedules.
- Plan to work in the Mid-Atlantic tri-state corridor where ACM places many clinical rotations.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a single-campus BSN without partnering with a university completion program.
- Cannot meet TEAS/HESI timelines, prerequisite science expectations, or travel for clinical practicum.
- Require a fully online pre-licensure program with no in-person labs or clinicals (not realistic for RN licensure).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Cumberland anchors healthcare services for Allegany County and draws patients from neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania counties. ACM states nursing students rotate through varied clinical sites across the region—specific affiliates rotate by term. Major regional employers include hospital systems serving Western Maryland (for example, UPMC Western Maryland in Cumberland) plus community clinics, long-term care, and public health resources.
| Facility / setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Acute care (example) | UPMC Western Maryland — regional hospital services in Cumberland; verify current clinical contracts with ACM. |
| Cross-border practice | ACM is approved by Maryland and Pennsylvania nursing boards—clinical placements may span the tri-state area per program design. |
| Community & campus | ACM operates allied health and health clinic resources that connect students to community-focused care experiences. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses are housed in the Allied Health (AH) area on the Cumberland campus with advising support from nursing faculty and the broader Advising Center. ACM highlights hands-on skills in campus labs and extensive clinical immersion (~1,400 hours). Student life includes athletics (ACM Trojans), student housing for eligible students, and regional outdoor recreation in the Appalachian foothills—balance clinical demands carefully.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Cumberland, MD
- Address
- 12401 Willowbrook Road SE, Cumberland, MD 21502, US
- Telephone
- 301-784-5000 (main)
- Nursing advising
- tletrent@allegany.edu · 301-784-5570
- Website
- allegany.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Nursing Info Book and the application checklists for your pathway (day, hybrid, LPN-to-RN online, etc.).
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Email nursing advising with your transcript summary and target track (day, hybrid, LPN-to-RN online, Bedford, Garrett, etc.).
- Confirm TEAS or HESI deadlines (Sept 30 / Feb 28) and register for an exam date that allows retakes under the three-month rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Allegany College of Maryland offer?
ACM offers a ladder Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) program with multiple tracks (including LPN-to-RN online and weekend hybrid), a Practical Nursing pathway, and a BSN completion option coordinated with Frostburg State University for eligible students. Confirm your track in the nursing application checklists.
Does ACM nursing require TEAS?
For the standard college-student nursing checklist, ACM requires the TEAS with deadlines of September 30 (for Spring interest) and February 28 (for Fall interest), and accepts only one exam score every three months. The BSN option checklist uses the HESI A2 instead. See ACM’s TEAS instructions.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Allegany College of Maryland?
Per the student achievement table on ACM’s nursing page, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 87.39% in calendar year 2025 (194 of 222 test takers), with a footnote that rates reflect graduates testing in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere. Also review Maryland Board of Nursing fiscal-year publications. Confirm current cohorts with ACM and MBON.
How much is tuition at Allegany College of Maryland?
For Fall 2025, ACM lists $136 per credit (Allegany County in-county), $288 (Maryland out-of-county), and $392 (out-of-state), plus per-credit fees. See Tuition & Fees.
Is Allegany College of Maryland nursing accredited?
ACM states the associate nursing program is ACEN-accredited and approved by the Maryland and Pennsylvania boards of nursing. Confirm current status with ACM, ACEN, and those boards.
Does Allegany College of Maryland offer a BSN?
ACM’s pre-licensure RN credential is the associate degree. The college describes a BSN option through Frostburg State University for students who follow that checklist (including HESI A2 requirements). It is not a standalone BSN completed only at ACM.
Where does ACM send students for clinicals?
ACM reports about 1,400 clinical hours over four semesters in varied settings. Specific hospitals and units rotate by term—confirm the current affiliation list with the nursing department.
What is the Health Manpower Shortage Program designation?
ACM states its nursing program is designated as a Maryland Health Manpower Shortage Program by MHEC, which may connect to tuition support for eligible students. Verify eligibility with ACM financial aid.
Is the 99% acceptance rate on ACM admissions the nursing acceptance rate?
No. ACM’s general admissions page lists a high overall acceptance rate for the college; nursing uses additional testing, prerequisites, and limited seats. Treat nursing as selective even if general admission is open.
References
- Allegany College of Maryland — Nursing programhttps://www.allegany.edu/nursing/
- Allegany College of Maryland — Nursing application checklistshttps://www.allegany.edu/nursing/nursing-application.html
- Allegany College of Maryland — Tuition & Fees (Fall 2025 tiers)https://www.allegany.edu/tuition-and-fees/index.html
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX exam statistics indexhttps://health.maryland.gov/mbon/pages/education-nclex-stats.aspx
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursingdos.pa.gov (PA BON)
- 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, with emphasis on NCLEX figures as published by Allegany College of Maryland, tuition parity across ACM’s Fall 2025 tuition pages, and TEAS/HESI requirements on the nursing application checklists.
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 Maryland Board of Nursing.
Published: March 24, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy