Lake Michigan College Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
On its Benton Harbor campus, Lake Michigan College runs an ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Nursing-RN—the degree we refer to as ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) for pre-licensure RN education. Admission is competitive (point ranking), requires the HESI A2 (minimum 75), and uses fixed annual deadlines (May 12 / September 12). LMC publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by graduating cohort on its nursing associate page and bills tuition by contact hour plus a per-semester Nursing Student Fee. Confirm every figure with LMC and Michigan LARA (nursing regulation).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
LMC’s nursing page highlights a high-fidelity simulation lab (SIM Man 3G, pediatric and maternal simulators) and articulation partnerships for graduates who want to continue to a BSN after licensure. The program publishes cohort-level NCLEX and employment self-report tables alongside clear HESI A2 and prerequisite rules—pair those disclosures with Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systems for regulatory context and any state-level NCLEX summaries.
Overview & Why Students Choose Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is a public community college anchored in Benton Harbor in Southwest Michigan, with additional locations including Niles and South Haven. The Nursing (Registered) AAS program is delivered on the Benton Harbor campus and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN and Michigan RN licensure. LMC states its Practical Nursing (LPN) program closed in 2014; today’s pre-licensure pathway is the four-semester nursing sequence (after prerequisites) leading to the AAS Nursing-RN—what we label ADN here for consistency with common nursing-school terminology.
The program holds ACEN continuing accreditation for the AAS Nursing-RN degree per LMC’s program page, and the college maintains regional accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission. LMC is not a BSN-granting institution for pre-licensure students; instead it advertises transfer partnerships so ADN graduates can pursue RN-to-BSN completion at four-year partners.
On its Nursing (Registered) Associate in Applied Science page, Lake Michigan College lists first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by graduating cohort, including 94% for the Spring 2025 graduating cohort, 94% for Fall 2024, 100% for Spring 2024, 95% for Fall 2023, and 100% for Spring 2023. These are school-published cohort percentages, not a substitute for every official state extract. Confirm the latest rows on LMC’s page and review Michigan LARA nursing publications for additional regulatory reporting.
Reasons students choose Lake Michigan College
Simulation-forward skills lab
LMC’s nursing landing page describes a high-fidelity SIM lab with adult, pediatric, and maternal simulators—useful for repetitive, low-risk practice before live patient care.
Transparent admission mechanics
The Nursing Associate page spells out prerequisite courses, HESI A2 minimums, GPA floors, and annual deadlines—helpful if you want predictable checklist-style planning.
LPN-to-RN advanced standing
Currently licensed LPNs can apply for advanced standing that awards credit for most first-year nursing courses and typically places students into second-year nursing classes, subject to space and the same competitive review.
Published cohort outcomes
LMC posts NCLEX, on-time completion, and graduate employment self-report metrics on the nursing associate page—always read the footnotes (for example, employment figures reflect self-reported data).
BSN bridge emphasis
LMC highlights articulation agreements with partner universities so ADN graduates can continue toward a BSN—often while working as an RN.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects Lake Michigan College’s Nursing (Registered) Associate in Applied Science and Nursing overview pages. Officially, graduates earn an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Nursing-RN; we use ADN as the conceptual label for this pre-licensure RN degree.
Pre-licensure (RN / ADN)
Nursing (Registered) — Associate in Applied Science
Four nursing semesters after admission, built on prerequisite and pre-program coursework. LMC lists 71 nursing program credits and 106 nursing program contact hours in its degree summary, with 30 contact hours in prerequisite/pre-program blocks—used for tuition planning. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN in Michigan.
Pathway · LPN-to-RN advanced standing
Advanced standing for licensed LPNs
LMC states that licensed LPNs may receive credit for most first-year nursing courses and often enter second-year nursing coursework, while still meeting the same testing, GPA, prerequisite, and compliance requirements as standard-entry students. Award is still the AAS Nursing-RN.
Programs not offered
LMC’s program history notes the Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate program closed in 2014—do not expect a new LPN certificate pathway unless the college publishes a reopening. LMC does not list on-campus BSN, ABSN, MSN, or DNP nursing degrees on the pages cited here; post-RN bachelor’s work happens through transfer partnerships.
Course numbers, sequencing, and clinical compliance rules change. Always confirm the current catalog, student handbook, and Health Sciences application PDF for your entry term before budgeting time or money.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Lake Michigan College publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by graduating cohort in the “Outcome Data” section of its Nursing (Registered) Associate in Applied Science page. The most recent rows shown at the time of this review list: Spring 2025 graduating cohort 94%; Fall 2024 94%; Spring 2024 100%; Fall 2023 95%; Spring 2023 100%. These figures are school-reported cohort percentages for first-time test takers, not a substitute for every state-level extract.
The college’s general nursing landing page also states that 93% of students pass NCLEX-RN on the first attempt—treat that headline figure as promotional summary language and prefer the dated cohort table on the nursing associate page when comparing terms.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Spring 2025 grad cohort) | 94% (LMC nursing associate outcome table). |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Fall 2024 grad cohort) | 94% (same source). |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (Spring 2024 grad cohort) | 100% (same source). |
| Source | Lake Michigan College — Nursing (Registered) AAS. For Michigan regulatory publications (for example NCLEX score summaries when posted), see Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systems. Confirm current cohorts with LMC and the state. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates on LMC’s nursing associate page and with Michigan LARA nursing publications.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Clinical nursing programs require English proficiency, immunization and background clearance acceptable to clinical agencies, and steps that align with Michigan RN licensure rules. Lake Michigan College’s nursing admission checklist explicitly addresses non-native English speakers. Use the checklist below as guidance only; it is not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency (LMC nursing rule): Applicants who learned English as a second language must complete the TOEFL iBT before the HESI A2, with minimum overall 84 and speaking subscore 26, per the Nursing Associate page.
- HESI A2: All nursing applicants must meet LMC’s HESI A2 minimum score (75) within attempt limits—see the program page and HESI packet.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow LMC Records & Registration and any international admissions steps; internationally educated nurses seeking Michigan licensure may need CGFNS or other Board-directed documentation.
- Michigan Board of Nursing (via LARA): Confirm NCLEX eligibility, criminal background requirements, and any additional steps for foreign-educated applicants.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical nursing courses require in-person attendance and agency clearance; verify F-1 or other status impacts with LMC and clinical sites.
Policies change—verify with LMC admissions or international services, the Health Sciences office, and Michigan LARA nursing staff.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Lake Michigan College nursing admission is competitive: every eligible applicant is scored with a point system that weights grades in ranking prerequisites (CHEM 104, BIOL 205, MATH 122 or 123), overall GPA (minimum 2.50), and HESI A2 performance. Completing prerequisites does not guarantee a seat. LMC explicitly states there is no waiting list—if you are not admitted, you must reapply in a future cycle.
Science and math recency: ranking science and math courses must be completed within 10 years of the nursing application deadline. BIOL 206, HEAL 121, and ENGL 101 must be finished before starting nursing courses (they may be in progress the semester before entry but cannot run concurrently with nursing coursework).
Application timeline (published recurring dates)
| Entry cohort | Application deadline | Program start |
|---|---|---|
| Fall cohort | May 12 annually (5:00 p.m. Health Sciences Office) | September start |
| Spring cohort | September 12 annually (5:00 p.m. Health Sciences Office) | January start |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | 2.50 overall; LMC uses LMC GPA by default, otherwise transfer GPA rules published on the Nursing Associate page. |
| HESI A2 | Required at LMC. Per LMC’s HESI information page: English Combined (average of reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary) ≥75%; Mathematics ≥75%; Critical Thinking has no published minimum but higher scores improve competitiveness. Two attempts per calendar year with a 60-day wait between attempts; scores valid five years when taken at LMC. |
| TEAS | Not listed in LMC’s published nursing admission checklist (confirm if policy changes). |
| Age / education | Must be 18+ when nursing classes begin; high school diploma or GED. |
| Placement | SAT/ACT or Accuplacer for basic college readiness in reading, English, and math per LMC checklist. |
| Background check / compliance | After admission, Complio (American DataBank) background check and drug screen (~$101 published); immunizations, physical, BLS-level CPR, and health insurance required for clinical participation. |
Honest tips for applicants
Because points reward first-attempt success in sciences and math, retakes can reduce your ranking. Document direct patient care experience, other healthcare credentials, or a completed bachelor’s degree if applicable—these can add points per LMC’s selection criteria. For LPN-to-RN advanced standing, gather license verification and employer work-history proof early; admission is still space-competitive.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Lake Michigan College publishes tuition by contact hour (not credit hour) on its Tuition & Fees page. The Nursing Associate page instructs students to multiply the contact hours listed in prerequisite, pre-program, and nursing sequence tables by the current rate, then add nursing-specific fees.
| Metric | Value (from LMC pages) |
|---|---|
| 2025–2026 domestic tuition | $187.00 per contact hour (Fall 2025–Summer 2026 “Domestic (USA)” row on Tuition & Fees). |
| 2024–2025 comparison (if still relevant to your start) | $181.50 in-district and $258.50 out-of-district per contact hour were listed for 2024–2025—confirm which residency band applies to you. |
| Nursing Student Fee | $810 per semester while enrolled in NURS courses (covers listed curricular tools, e-texts, and bundled resources per LMC). |
| Illustrative instructional subtotal (tuition only, before fees/books) | Prerequisite + pre-program 30 contact hours + nursing major 106 contact hours = 136 contact hours × $187 ≈ $25,432 at 2025–2026 domestic rate—not a guaranteed bill; your mix of courses, repeated credits, and residency may differ. |
| Other published nursing costs | Background check bundle ~$101; uniforms/equipment about $150–$250; NCLEX/licensure ~$350 (all per Nursing Associate cost section). |
| Cost of attendance (example) | LMC lists a 2025–2026 off-campus COA example for students taking 12+ credits per fall/spring with tuition & fees $4,488 and total budget $23,728—this is a general aid benchmark, not nursing-specific. |
| Source | Lake Michigan College — Tuition & Fees; Nursing (Registered) AAS. Confirm amounts with the Business Office (269-927-8610 as listed on the tuition page). |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
LMC’s nursing associate page combines NCLEX first-time pass rates, on-time completion percentages, and graduate employment self-reports. Read footnotes carefully: employment percentages reflect graduates who self-reported employment data, not necessarily every graduate or a third-party audit.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (recent cohorts) | 94% Spring 2025; 94% Fall 2024; 100% Spring 2024; 95% Fall 2023; 100% Spring 2023 (LMC outcome table). |
| Graduates reporting RN job within 6 months (school-reported) | LMC lists 100% for Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024, Fall 2023, and Spring 2023 graduating cohorts—self-reported employment per the asterisk note on the same table. Confirm current cohort methodology with LMC and the Michigan Board of Nursing. |
| On-time completion (4 nursing semesters) | Published percentages range from about 30.8% to 81.3% by cohort pairings on LMC’s table—interpret with the program’s intense clinical scheduling. |
| Legacy outcomes page (2018 graduates) | Separate accreditation outcomes page cites 2018 metrics (for example 95% first-time NCLEX with 100% on second attempt)—use for historical context only; prefer the nursing associate cohort table for recent terms. |
| Source | Lake Michigan College — Nursing (Registered) AAS; Nursing Program Outcomes (2018 graduate summary). |
Is Lake Michigan College the Right Fit for You?
LMC fits learners who want an ACEN-accredited community college ADN in Southwest Michigan, can meet HESI A2 and science prerequisites, and accept competitive ranking without a guaranteed seat. It is a weaker fit if you need a fully online pre-licensure program, expect an on-campus BSN without transferring, or cannot meet clinical compliance (immunizations, background checks, rotating shift schedules).
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a four-semester nursing sequence after prerequisites with published cohort NCLEX data.
- Are licensed LPNs seeking advanced standing toward the same AAS Nursing-RN.
- Plan to work in the I-94 / Lake Michigan shoreline corridor hospitals, ambulatory sites, and long-term care employers common to Berrien County and neighboring communities.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need admission guarantees after finishing prerequisites (LMC uses competitive points, not automatic entry).
- Cannot travel for variable clinical shifts (including evenings/weekends per LMC handbook guidance).
- Expect a current LPN certificate program—LMC’s PN program closed in 2014.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Benton Harbor and greater Berrien County sit between Chicago and Grand Rapids, with community hospitals, multi-hospital systems, federally qualified health centers, long-term care, and outpatient networks serving Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana commuters. Demand for bedside RNs remains structurally strong across acute and post-acute settings, though exact vacancy rates change seasonally.
| Theme | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional acute & specialty care | Students typically rotate through hospitals and clinics across Berrien County and nearby communities; specific contracts rotate by semester. Confirm active affiliates with the Health Sciences office rather than assuming a single employer. |
| Documentation reference | LMC nursing materials reference compliance workflows (for example modules associated with Corewell Health)—use that as a signal of real-world clinical partner systems, not a complete site list. |
| Why it matters | Clinical variety exposes ADN students to med-surg, maternal-child, mental health, and community settings that mirror Michigan’s demographic and chronic-disease trends. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses for this degree are centered on the Benton Harbor campus (Health Sciences in building C-103 per LMC). The college promotes a modern simulation suite for nursing skills immersion. Expect strict attendance, professional dress codes for clinical days, and coordination through the nursing handbook. Outside of nursing, LMC offers athletics, student organizations, and arts programming through the Mendel Center—useful outlets when clinical intensity peaks.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Benton Harbor, MI (nursing program site)
- Address
- 2755 E Napier Ave, Benton Harbor, MI 49022, US
- Main telephone
- (269) 927-1000
- Health Sciences / Nursing
- HealthSciences@lakemichigancollege.edu · Office C-103 (per LMC nursing page)
- Business Office (tuition questions)
- (269) 927-8610 (listed on LMC Tuition & Fees page)
- Website
- lakemichigancollege.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current nursing program application PDF (update the link if LMC posts a newer cohort form).
- Schedule academic advising to map CHEM 104, BIOL 205/206, math, and English prerequisites.
- Register for the HESI A2 through LMC’s testing office guidance and keep both attempts within the published calendar-year rule.
- Calculate a rough budget using contact hours from the nursing associate page and the latest tuition tables, then add the $810/semester Nursing Student Fee.
- File or update the FAFSA and review LMC scholarships/grants with the financial aid office.
- Read the nursing FAQ on the associate page regarding reapplication, point ranking, and clinical scheduling.
- Bookmark Michigan LARA for RN licensure context and NCLEX publications.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Lake Michigan College offer in 2026?
Lake Michigan College offers the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Nursing-RN (we call it ADN here) on the Benton Harbor campus plus LPN-to-RN advanced standing for licensed LPNs. The college’s Practical Nursing certificate closed in 2014. Confirm tracks on LMC’s Nursing Associate page.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Lake Michigan College’s latest cohorts?
LMC’s nursing associate outcome table lists 94% for the Spring 2025 graduating cohort, 94% for Fall 2024, 100% for Spring 2024, 95% for Fall 2023, and 100% for Spring 2023 (first-time test takers, school-reported). Confirm current rows on LMC’s page and cross-check Michigan LARA publications.
Does Lake Michigan College require HESI or TEAS for nursing admission?
LMC requires the HESI A2 for all applicants. Per LMC’s HESI information page, you need English Combined ≥75% (average of reading, grammar, vocabulary) and Mathematics ≥75%; Critical Thinking is scored for competitiveness. Two attempts per calendar year require a 60-day gap. The published nursing checklist does not list TEAS. Non-native English speakers must complete TOEFL iBT before HESI unless an exemption applies.
When are Lake Michigan College nursing applications due?
Recurring deadlines published on the Nursing Associate page: May 12 each year for a September start and September 12 each year for a January start (5:00 p.m. submission to the Health Sciences Office).
Is there a waiting list for Lake Michigan College nursing?
No. LMC’s FAQ states there is no waiting list; applicants who are not selected must submit a new application in a later cycle if they wish to be reconsidered.
What GPA do you need for Lake Michigan College nursing?
Applicants need at least a 2.50 overall GPA for consideration, but admission is competitive via a point system that also evaluates prerequisite grades and HESI A2 scores.
How much does Lake Michigan College nursing cost?
Tuition is billed by contact hour using LMC’s published tables (for example $187 per contact hour for 2025–2026 domestic students) plus a $810 Nursing Student Fee each nursing semester. Multiply the contact hours from prerequisite, pre-program, and nursing tables to estimate instructional tuition before fees. Confirm with the Business Office.
Does Lake Michigan College offer job-placement data for nursing graduates?
The nursing associate outcome table shows 100% of surveyed graduates from several recent cohorts reporting RN employment within six months; the footnote clarifies this is self-reported data. Confirm methodology and response rates with LMC.
References
- Lake Michigan College — Nursing (Registered) Associate in Applied Sciencelakemichigancollege.edu — nursing associate
- Lake Michigan College — HESI A2 & TOEFL informationlakemichigancollege.edu — nursing HESI
- Lake Michigan College — Nursing overviewlakemichigancollege.edu — nursing
- Lake Michigan College — Tuition & Feeslakemichigancollege.edu — tuition-fees
- Lake Michigan College — Nursing program outcomes (2018 graduate summary)lakemichigancollege.edu — nursing-program-outcomes
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systemsmichigan.gov/lara (BCHS)
- 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 Lake Michigan College’s Nursing (Registered) AAS program page, tuition & fees disclosures, HESI/TOEFL requirements, and Michigan LARA nursing regulatory context.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and clinical policies change; always verify with Lake Michigan College and Michigan nursing regulators.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy