Howard Community College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Public community college in Columbia, Maryland—between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.—with one of the state’s largest nursing programs: ACEN-accredited RN (Associate of Arts) and Practical Nursing tracks, plus LPN, paramedic, and military pathway sequences. Tuition varies by Howard County vs. other Maryland counties vs. out-of-state; first-time NCLEX outcomes are published by the Maryland Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
*Summer 2026 example on HCC Tuition & Fees; Fall 2026 out-of-county per-credit rate lists $281—confirm your term.
Key Takeaway
HCC combines a 14-month accelerated RN option and a traditional two-year schedule with published ATI TEAS thresholds, Health Personnel Shortage tuition rules for eligible Maryland residents, and a formal Program Outcomes Report that tracks Board-reported NCLEX and graduate employment surveys—useful when comparing programs in the Baltimore–Washington corridor.
Overview & Why Students Choose Howard Community College
Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia sits along the I-95 healthcare corridor, roughly midway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The Health Sciences nursing department describes itself as one of Maryland’s largest pre-licensure nursing educators, pairing simulation labs with varied clinical placements. Graduates of the RN program earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) structured for transfer toward a BSN at Maryland public institutions; the associate-degree nursing and practical nurse certificate programs are ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing–approved.
HCC publishes a downloadable Program Outcomes Report (updated at least annually) with licensure exam summaries, graduate satisfaction, and employment-in-nursing survey results. Pair that disclosure with the Board’s fiscal-year NCLEX PDFs when you compare schools—timing and cohort definitions can differ between internal summaries and the Board’s school-level tables.
First-time NCLEX-RN figures below cite the Maryland Board of Nursing FY 2023 PDF (machine-verified). NCLEX-PN uses the Board’s FY 2024 PDF. FY 2024 RN school-level tables are posted as PDFs on the Board’s hub; if text extraction is unavailable, open the official file directly. Confirm the latest cohort with the Board and HCC.
Reasons students choose HCC
Accelerated or traditional RN pacing
HCC advertises a 14-month accelerated associate-degree RN track (summer start, daytime clinicals) alongside a two-year traditional sequence with day or evening/weekend clinical selections for some cohorts.
Practical Nursing + career mobility
An approximately 11-month LPN certificate overlaps RN coursework design so students can ladder credentials when it fits their timeline.
Pathway programs
Structured LPN-to-RN, Paramedic-to-RN, and Military-to-RN sequences give advanced standing to applicants who meet published eligibility (licensure, exams, or service documentation).
Published exam thresholds
Traditional RN admissions list ATI TEAS composite and subject minimums; the Test Center page documents ongoing transitions from HESI—confirm which exam your cycle requires.
Howard County pipeline
Residents may receive admission preference in defined cycles, and eligible Maryland residents in designated shortage programs may qualify for in-county tuition per college policy.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects HCC’s published nursing department list and admissions pages. Separate degree level (associate RN vs. practical certificate), program type (pre-licensure), pathway (traditional, accelerated, LPN/paramedic/military bridge), and delivery (on-site labs and clinicals; some general-education courses may be online).
Pre-licensure (RN)
Registered Nursing — Associate of Arts (transfer)
Traditional clinical cohorts begin fall (day or evening/weekend options) and spring (day); the Accelerated track starts in summer with 14 months of full-time daytime clinical coursework. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN. ACEN-accredited; Maryland Board of Nursing–approved. Follow the Nursing — A.A. Degree (Transfer) program page for credit maps.
LPN to RN · Paramedic to RN · Military to RN
Separate pathway sequences award advanced standing when applicants meet Maryland or compact LPN licensure, paramedic certification, or military transition criteria published on each admissions page. Seat timing and prerequisites differ by pathway—use the official pathway planners.
Pre-licensure (PN)
Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate
Approximately 11 months per the nursing overview; prepares students for NCLEX-PN. ACEN-accredited practical program per HCC’s accreditation statement.
Transfer after licensure
HCC maintains RN-to-BSN transfer information (including articulation references with Maryland institutions and partners such as Stevenson University and the University of Maryland, Baltimore on the allied health admissions hub). This is not a separate pre-licensure degree—it describes where RN graduates may continue study.
Continuing education
HCC’s Continuing Education division offers CNA training and professional development workshops; those noncredit courses are separate from the credit nursing degrees.
Catalog titles, credit totals, and clinical schedules change. Confirm the exact degree name, planner PDF, and Maryland Board approval status on the official Health Sciences — Nursing page and in the HCC catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN 1st Time Candidate Performance for Maryland Schools report for FY 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023), Howard Community College had 141 first-time RN candidates and 116 passed, for an 82.27% first-time pass rate. In the same report, the aggregate first-time pass rate for all Maryland associate-degree RN programs was 85.86% (1,324 of 1,542)—HCC’s rate is below that associate aggregate in FY 2023 (same official document). All Maryland RN programs combined in that report were 82.93% first-time.
FY 2024 and newer RN fiscal-year PDFs are posted on the Board’s statistics hub; open the file directly for the next cohort after FY 2023. HCC’s Program Outcomes Report also summarizes Board-reported pass rates using HCC’s reporting-year labels—reconcile any differences with the Board PDF rows.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (HCC) | 82.27% (116/141 first-time testers) |
| Reporting period | Maryland BON FY 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023) |
| MD associate RN programs (same report, aggregate) | 85.86% first-time (benchmark from same document) |
| Source | Maryland BON NCLEX-RN FY 2023 PDF. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX hub and HCC. |
NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing)
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-PN 1st Time Candidate Performance report for FY 2024 (July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024), Howard Community College had 16 first-time PN testers and 14 passed, reported as 87.50% in the official table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (HCC) | 87.50% (14/16 first-time testers per FY 2024 PDF) |
| Source | Maryland BON NCLEX-PN FY 2024 PDF. Confirm newer cohorts with the Board. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and HCC’s Program Outcomes Report.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
HCC’s Tuition & Fees page notes that international citizens’ tuition rates depend on immigration status and directs applicants to the catalog’s international policies. The college’s Office of International Education and Admissions can explain F-1 requirements, English-proficiency testing (for example TOEFL or IELTS where required), and transcript evaluation expectations. Clinical agencies may require a Social Security number or additional immunization documentation; lack of an SSN can limit certain placements—plan early with the program.
- English proficiency: Confirm minimum scores and exemptions with HCC’s international admissions office.
- Credential evaluation: Use a Board- or college-recognized evaluator for foreign coursework (examples often include WES-style reports—verify the current list).
- Maryland Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses seeking Maryland licensure by examination or endorsement must follow current Board checklists—this page is not legal advice.
- Visa & clinical compliance: Nursing clinical courses may have restrictions for certain visa types; confirm with International Education and the Nursing & Allied Health office.
Requirements change frequently; verify everything with Howard Community College, the Maryland Board of Nursing, and U.S. immigration authorities as applicable.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing and allied health programs at HCC require a general HCC application plus a supplemental selective admissions process. Clinical nursing applicants must complete prerequisite coursework with published minimum grades, sit for the ATI TEAS with HCC’s stated minimums (unless a transition policy applies), and submit official transcripts by published deadlines. Because cohorts are capacity-limited, meeting minimums does not guarantee a seat.
Application timeline (Traditional RN — published)
| Clinical start | Supplemental window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (day/evening-weekend) | Feb. 15 – May 15 | Includes $25 supplemental fee; transcripts due Oct. 15 for prior credit per RN admissions page. |
| Spring (day) | July 15 – Oct. 15 | Confirm each year on the Registered Nursing admissions page. |
Accelerated RN (published)
Supplemental applications are available September 15 – December 15. Rolling-admission TEAS deadlines (Sept. 15 / Feb. 1) appear on the Accelerated RN page—read carefully if you are cross-applying.
RN academic requirements (summary)
- ATI TEAS: HCC lists a 66.5% composite with 69% in Reading and Math for Traditional RN (see Test Center for updates).
- Prerequisites: Complete the published RN planner PDF (sciences, English, math) with required grades—verify science recency rules in the planner.
- Clinical logistics: HCC warns that rapid program growth means it cannot guarantee every clinical rotation stays within the day vs. evening/weekend track you select—flexibility may be required.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage. |
| TEAS / HESI | Traditional & Accelerated RN pages center on ATI TEAS; broader allied-health pages referenced HESI Evolve for some clinical programs—confirm your track with the Test Center. |
| Howard County preference | HCC states Howard County residents may receive preference in defined admission periods; see Special Benefits. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
HCC’s Tuition & Fees page publishes per-credit tuition by residency. The Summer 2026 table on that page (pending board approval) lists $144 per credit for Howard County residents, $278 for other Maryland counties, and $388 for out-of-state students, with no tuition charged beyond 15 credits in a term even if you enroll for more. The Fall 2026 table shows the out-of-county (other Maryland) rate at $281 per credit—always use the table that matches your entry term.
All students pay a consolidated fee (19.96% of in-county tuition in the published example) plus possible course fees. Courses with the Equitable Access (EA) designation add $23 per credit for bundled materials (nursing uniforms and a few specialty supplies are excluded). Books and supplies are estimated near $2,000 per year for full-time study on the same page.
| Metric | Value (HCC published tables) |
|---|---|
| Tuition per credit (example) | $144 Howard County · $278 other MD (Summer 2026 table) · $388 out-of-state · $281 other MD (Fall 2026 table) |
| Other major fees | Consolidated fee (percentage of in-county tuition); $23/credit EA fee when applicable; course-specific clinical/lab fees per schedule. |
| Source | Howard Community College Tuition & Fees. Confirm current amounts before registering. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX: Cite the Maryland Board PDFs in this guide for official first-time school-level rates (RN FY 2023; PN FY 2024). Employment: HCC’s October 2025 Program Outcomes Report states that, among survey respondents, employed-in-nursing rates were reported as 100% for Summer 2024 and Fall 2024 ADN cohorts (self-reported graduate surveys; response rates vary—confirm methodology in the PDF). Salary: Not publicly disclosed on this page; use the Maryland Department of Labor or BLS data for regional RN wages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (MD BON PDF) | 82.27% FY 2023 (see NCLEX section). |
| Graduate employment (HCC survey, school-reported) | Program Outcomes Report lists employed-in-nursing responses of survey participants by cohort (e.g., Summer/Fall 2024 lines in the October 2025 update). |
| Source | Maryland BON PDFs; HCC Program Outcomes Report (PDF). |
Is Howard Community College the Right Fit for You?
HCC fits students who want a public, two-year (or 14-month accelerated) RN pathway or a practical nursing certificate inside the Baltimore–Washington job market, and who can commute to Columbia and rotating Maryland clinical sites with flexible scheduling.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value ACEN-accredited RN and PN programs with transparent TEAS thresholds and published planners.
- Want optional accelerated RN pacing or military/paramedic/LPN bridge tracks.
- Plan to work in Howard County, Baltimore, or D.C. metro hospitals after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure program (labs and clinicals are in person).
- Cannot accept occasional off-track clinical times when agencies require weekend or evening shifts.
- Expect guaranteed clinical placement without meeting vaccination, background, and health-insurance rules HCC lists for allied health.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Howard County and the broader Baltimore–Washington corridor host major acute-care systems, community hospitals, ambulatory networks, and public-health agencies. Students may recognize names such as Johns Hopkins (including Howard County–based services), University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar, and LifeBridge Health, among others—HCC does not guarantee placement at a specific brand each term; assignments depend on agency capacity.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Clinical variety | Hospital med-surg, specialty units, community and public health rotations per program design. |
| Employer demand | Regional health systems continue to recruit RNs; verify hiring and residency programs directly with employers. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
HCC’s nursing overview highlights simulation laboratories with computerized mannequins for skills practice, plus varied regional clinical assignments. The college promotes student involvement through organizations such as the Nursing Club (via Student Activities). Free nursing information sessions help applicants understand selective admissions before they commit.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Columbia, MD
- Address
- 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044, US
- Nursing & Allied Health
- 443-518-1200 · admissions@howardcc.edu
- Test Center (exams)
- tcnursing@howardcc.edu
- Website
- howardcc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Traditional RN Program Planner (or Accelerated planner) and compare prerequisites to your transcripts.
- Schedule ATI TEAS through the Test Center and aim for HCC’s published 66.5% / 69% Reading & Math thresholds.
- Register for a nursing information session.
- Build a term budget from the Tuition & Fees tables (remember consolidated and EA fees).
- Bookmark the Maryland BON NCLEX hub.
- Email admissions@howardcc.edu if you need transcript evaluation or residency documentation help.
- Map commuting routes to Howard County, Baltimore, and D.C.-area clinical sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Maryland Board of Nursing first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Howard Community College?
According to the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN report for fiscal year 2023 (July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023), Howard Community College had a first-time pass rate of 82.27% (116 of 141 first-time testers). For newer cohorts, see the Board’s NCLEX statistics index. Confirm current rates with the Maryland Board of Nursing and HCC.
What TEAS scores does Howard Community College require for Traditional RN?
The Registered Nursing admissions page lists ATI TEAS composite scores of 66.5% with 69% in Reading and Math. The Accelerated RN page describes TEAS timing tied to rolling vs. regular admission—confirm current rules with the Test Center because exam policies were transitioning in 2025.
How much is tuition at Howard Community College for nursing students?
HCC’s Tuition & Fees page shows example per-credit rates of $144 (Howard County), $278 (other Maryland counties in the Summer 2026 table), and $388 (out-of-state), plus consolidated and course fees. Fall 2026 lists $281 for other Maryland counties—use the table for your entry term.
When are Howard Community College Traditional RN supplemental applications open?
HCC lists February 15–May 15 for fall clinical cohorts and July 15–October 15 for spring cohorts, with a $25 supplemental fee. Accelerated RN supplemental applications are posted September 15–December 15. Always verify the current cycle on the official admissions pages.
What nursing programs does Howard Community College offer?
HCC offers an Associate of Arts nursing degree with traditional and accelerated RN tracks, an LPN certificate, LPN-to-RN and Paramedic-to-RN and Military-to-RN pathways, plus noncredit CNA training through Continuing Education.
What NCLEX-PN outcomes does Maryland report for Howard Community College?
In the Maryland Board of Nursing NCLEX-PN report for fiscal year 2024, Howard Community College had 16 first-time testers and 14 passed—87.50% in the official PDF table. Confirm newer fiscal years on the Board’s PN statistics page.
Does Howard Community College guarantee clinical rotations on evenings only if I pick an evening track?
No. HCC states that because of program growth it cannot guarantee every rotation stays within the day vs. evening/weekend option—students should expect occasional cross-scheduling based on agency availability.
Where can I verify Howard Community College’s Program Outcomes Report?
HCC links a Program Outcomes PDF from its nursing department page with licensure, satisfaction, and employment-survey data. Pair it with Maryland Board PDFs for official NCLEX school tables.
Does Howard Community College offer a fully online pre-licensure RN?
No. Pre-licensure nursing requires in-person labs, simulation, and clinical practicum hours. Some prerequisites or general-education courses may be offered online or hybrid per the schedule.
References
- Howard Community College — Health Sciences (Nursing overview)howardcc.edu/…/health-sciences/nursing
- Howard Community College — Nursing & Allied Health Admissionsalliedhealth admissions hub
- Howard Community College — Traditional RN admissionsregistered-nursing-rn-admissions
- Howard Community College — Tuition & Feestuition–fees
- Howard Community College — Program Outcomes Report (PDF)Program-Outcomes-for-Website—October-2025-update_.pdf
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX exam statistics indexeducation-nclex-stats.aspx
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN FY 2023 PDFnclex-rn-stats-fy2023.pdf
- Maryland Board of Nursing — NCLEX-PN FY 2024 PDFnclex-pn-stats-fy2024.pdf
- 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 NCLEX citations against Maryland Board of Nursing RN (FY 2023) and PN (FY 2024) PDFs, tuition figures against HCC’s published Tuition & Fees tables, and program scope against Howard Community College nursing and 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 Maryland Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-24 · Last reviewed: March 24, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy