Michigan State University College of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
At MSU’s East Lansing hub—and with an Accelerated Second Degree BSN cohort in Detroit—the College of Nursing offers CCNE-accredited Traditional BSN, ABSN, fully online RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP (including Nurse Anesthesiology, COA-accredited), Ph.D., and post-graduate APRN certificates. MSU publishes 2025–26 tuition rates for nursing tracks on finaid.msu.edu; BSN NCLEX first-time rates appear on CON pages (with Michigan LARA for board-published program tables).
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Michigan State University College of Nursing pairs a large public research university—including study abroad to England marketed for nursing students—with two pre-licensure BSN footprints (East Lansing and a Detroit site for the accelerated second-degree track). The Traditional BSN uses a secondary admission process with about 120 students selected per academic year; RN-to-BSN is now 30 credits, all online, with entry any semester per CON.
Overview & Why Students Choose MSU College of Nursing
Michigan State University College of Nursing anchors undergraduate nursing in East Lansing while extending an Accelerated Second Degree BSN option to Detroit, widening clinical access across lower Michigan. The college highlights research intensity (including recognition in national nursing research funding rankings referenced on CON news) and integrates biological, physical, and behavioral sciences with humanities across its BSN curricula.
Students choose MSU for Spartan nursing brand recognition, breadth from pre-licensure through doctorate, optional international study, and proximity to the Capital Region health systems for Lansing-area clinical learning—plus Detroit-area experiences for accelerated cohorts. Graduate students access NP, CNS, nurse anesthesiology, and DNP leadership preparation described on CON’s graduate hub.
MSU’s Traditional BSN materials cite first-time NCLEX pass rates (2025) of 87% (East Lansing) and 90% (Detroit)—school-reported figures that should be read alongside Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDFs for board-published, program-level reporting. Confirm current rates with the College of Nursing and Michigan LARA.
Reasons students choose MSU CON
Two-city pre-licensure footprint
Traditional BSN in East Lansing and an Accelerated Second Degree BSN offered in East Lansing or Detroit let students align location with pathway and career goals.
Streamlined online RN-to-BSN
CON markets a revised RN-to-BSN as 30 credits, fully online, start any semester, with 30 credits awarded for passing NCLEX—useful for working RNs balancing shifts.
Graduate depth (MSN → DNP → Ph.D.)
From MSN nurse practitioner and CNS tracks through DNP (including Nurse Anesthesiology with COA accreditation) to a Ph.D. in Nursing, MSU supports advanced practice, anesthesia, and research careers.
Research-ranked college
CON public messaging notes top-quartile NIH/nursing research funding positioning—valuable if you want faculty mentorship in evidence-based practice and inquiry.
Support programs & scholarships
Undergraduates may explore ACCESS, the Nurse Scholar conditional admission pathway, undergraduate research, and CON scholarship processes (annual application cycle published on CON).
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects MSU College of Nursing undergraduate and graduate pages (2026 review). Pre-licensure pathways prepare graduates for NCLEX-RN; graduate programs prepare for advanced practice, anesthesia, leadership, or research roles as described by CON.
Pre-licensure (NCLEX-RN eligibility)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Full-time, six-semester upper-division BSN after at least 28 credits and published prerequisites; for students earning a first bachelor’s degree in nursing. Delivered from East Lansing.
Accelerated Second Degree BSN (ABSN)
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—MSU’s official name is Accelerated Second Degree BSN. 16 months, four semesters, fall start, ends the following December. Classes in East Lansing or Detroit.
Post-licensure undergraduate
RN-to-BSN (online)
For RNs with an associate degree or diploma; unrestricted RN license required. CON describes 30 credits of RN-BSN coursework, all online, enrollment any semester, 30 credits awarded for passing NCLEX, plus community health and leadership clinical practice.
Graduate (post-licensure)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
MSN tracks listed on CON include Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
DNP options parallel MSN specialties and add Nurse Anesthesiology; Post-Master’s DNP is available. MSU states CCNE accreditation for BSN/MSN/DNP and COA accreditation for the Nurse Anesthesiology program.
Ph.D. in Nursing
Prepares nurse scientists focused on scholarly inquiry and improving health systems, education, and policy—distinct from the practice-focused DNP.
Post-graduate certificates
APRN scope extension & teaching
CON lists 27-credit post-graduate certificates for certified APRNs seeking added population foci (AG CNS, AGPCNP, FNP, PMHNP) plus a Teaching in Nursing certificate (9 credits). Confirm eligibility (national certification, licensure) on CON’s certificate page.
Tracks, credits, and delivery change. Confirm the current MSU Academic Programs listing and the relevant nursing.msu.edu program page before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to MSU College of Nursing undergraduate pages (school-reported, 2025), first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for the Traditional BSN are listed as 87% for the East Lansing site and 90% for the Detroit site. The Accelerated Second Degree BSN page adds that MSU BSN graduates who tested in 2024 showed an average NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89.87%, with about 92% in the first quarter of 2025—wording and cohort definitions appear on the CON site.
Michigan LARA (Bureau of Community and Health Systems) also publishes NCLEX score summary PDFs that list performance by Michigan nursing program. Use LARA’s files to compare MSU’s board-reported figures with other schools and to confirm the reporting year that matches your admissions cycle.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional BSN first-time pass rate (MSU-reported, 2025) | 87% (East Lansing site), 90% (Detroit site) per MSU Traditional BSN / undergraduate overview pages. |
| ABSN / BSN cohort context (MSU-reported) | Accelerated Second Degree page cites 89.87% average for 2024 testers and ~92% in Q1 2025—confirm methodology and cohort scope on CON. |
| Board-published program rates | See the latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDF for program-level tables. |
| Source | MSU — Traditional BSN; MSU — Undergraduate overview; MSU — Accelerated Second Degree BSN; Michigan LARA — BCHS. Confirm current rates with CON and LARA. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort, site, and reporting year. Confirm the latest first-time pass rates with Michigan State University College of Nursing and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs nursing publications.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants and internationally educated nurses must coordinate MSU admissions, College of Nursing clinical requirements, and Michigan Board of Nursing / LARA steps. This section is a planning checklist—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm exams and scores with MSU Office of Admissions and international student services.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Use MSU-approved evaluation workflows for prerequisites and prior degrees.
- Michigan Board of Nursing (via LARA): For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, NCLEX eligibility, and any CGFNS-related requirements, confirm current Michigan rules.
- Immigration & visa: Clarify F-1 or other status implications for clinical practicum, background checks, and placement eligibility.
Policies change frequently. Verify with MSU international programs, College of Nursing, and Michigan LARA.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Traditional BSN applicants complete a secondary admission process after MSU admission (or while applying as a transfer). MSU lists minimum 2.0 in each prerequisite, minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, at least 28 credits, and a holistic college application including personal reflection prompts and documentation of experience. Admission is highly competitive; MSU states roughly 120 students per academic year are selected from applicants who meet minimums, with most successful candidates exceeding minimum GPA expectations.
Published prerequisites include CEM 141 (General Chemistry), BS 161 (Cell and Molecular Biology), ANTR 350 (Human Gross Anatomy for Pre-Health), WRA 101 (Writing as Inquiry), and MTH 103 (College Algebra)—with allowance for transfer/AP credit that MSU recognizes. Accelerated Second Degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, and graduate applicants follow separate CON pages.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline / window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (fall start) | April 1 | MSU CON admissions page (verify annually). |
| Traditional BSN (spring start) | November 1 | Decisions typically 2–3 weeks after grades post. |
| RN-to-BSN | Entry any semester | Apply through MSU admissions processes outlined on CON. |
| Graduate (MSN/DNP/Ph.D.) | Varies by program | Use MSU graduate application and CON events page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage. |
| GPA expectations | Minimum cumulative 3.0; CON notes most admitted students exceed minimums. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on MSU Traditional BSN admissions page reviewed for this guide; confirm for your pathway. |
| Cohort size (Traditional BSN) | ~120 students selected per academic year (CON admissions text). |
Practical tips
Attend a CON virtual application information session (dates on the events page). Build a strong personal reflection narrative tied to community, leadership, and patient-centered values. If you are transferring prerequisites, run transfer.msu.edu early so courses map before the deadline.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
MSU’s Office of Financial Aid publishes Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 resident tuition tables that separate core vs professional undergraduate units—Nursing is listed as a professional unit, so Traditional BSN students follow the professional (not Lyman Briggs core) bands as they progress. Students in the Accelerated Nursing B.S.N. pay the dedicated per-credit rate below; RN-to-BSN students pay the online nursing rate.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Professional-unit undergrad (MI resident, freshman example) | $563.75/credit (1–11 credits) or $8,458.00 flat for 12–18 credits per semester. |
| Professional-unit undergrad (MI resident, sophomore) | $576.75/credit or $8,653.00 flat (12–18 credits). |
| Professional-unit undergrad (MI resident, junior/senior) | $642.75/credit or $9,642.00 flat (12–18 credits). |
| Accelerated Nursing B.S.N. (per credit) | $898.00 per credit hour (listed on the same MSU fee schedule). |
| On-line Nursing R.N. to B.S.N. | $742.50 per credit hour. |
| Non-resident undergraduate | MSU publishes separate non-resident bands on Controller / Financial Aid materials—use the official tables or MSU tuition calculator rather than estimating here. |
| Graduate nursing | Per-credit graduate nursing rates appear on MSU graduate tuition schedules; confirm your program band on finaid.msu.edu/fees or graduate pages. |
| Fees & living costs | MSU assesses student fees, Recreational & Wellness charges, and voted taxes per semester; housing and meals are separate. See MSU cost of attendance sample budgets on the financial aid site. |
| Source | MSU Office of Financial Aid — Resident Tuition, Fee and Tax Rates (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026). Confirm current amounts with MSU. |
CON scholarship applications are generally due March 1 with awards credited the following fall; see College of Nursing scholarships and complete the FAFSA for federal aid.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pre-licensure graduates earn a BSN and become eligible for NCLEX-RN. This guide cites MSU College of Nursing disclosures for recent first-time performance and points to Michigan LARA for board-published program tables. Graduate outcomes (certification exams, employment) vary by specialty—review CON or MSU graduate outcome materials for APRN and nurse anesthesiology cohorts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (pre-licensure BSN, MSU-reported) | Traditional BSN pages: 87% first-time (East Lansing) and 90% (Detroit) for 2025; ABSN page cites 89.87% (2024) and ~92% (Q1 2025) with wording on CON—confirm cohort definitions with the college. |
| NCLEX-RN (board-published) | Latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary PDF for program-level reporting. |
| Employment / placement rate | Not publicly disclosed on this page. See MSU career services or college outcome disclosures if published. |
| Source | MSU Traditional BSN; MSU Accelerated Second Degree BSN; Michigan LARA — BCHS. Confirm current rates with CON and LARA. |
Is MSU College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
MSU fits learners who want a Big Ten research university nursing education with multiple BSN entry points (including Detroit for accelerated study) and a deep graduate portfolio through DNP and Ph.D. It may be less ideal if you want a very small program, need a fully online pre-licensure track, or prefer admission without selective secondary review.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value CCNE-accredited BSN/MSN/DNP pathways plus COA-accredited Nurse Anesthesiology at a public research university.
- Want access to Mid-Michigan and, for ABSN, southeast Michigan clinical ecosystems tied to Lansing or Detroit instruction.
- Can meet competitive GPA thresholds and fixed April 1 / November 1 Traditional BSN deadlines.
- Plan to leverage scholarships, study abroad, or undergraduate research opportunities CON advertises.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure BSN (MSU’s pre-licensure programs are campus-based with in-person clinical requirements).
- Prefer guaranteed admission to nursing without secondary selection from a large applicant pool.
- Want the smallest possible cohort experience—MSU CON educates hundreds of undergraduates across pathways.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
[Describe local hospitals and clinical partners for this school only. Do not copy from another school or template.]
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| [Facility name] | [Details] |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The College of Nursing lists its main offices in the Life Sciences Building on MSU’s East Lansing campus, with simulation and skills learning integrated into CON facilities and partner clinical sites. Beyond nursing, Spartans access Big Ten athletics, hundreds of student organizations, and CON-backed experiences such as study abroad in England marketed for nursing students. Pre-nursing and nursing students often coordinate with CON admissions webinars, scholarship cycles, and undergraduate research mentors.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- East Lansing, MI
- Address
- MSU College of Nursing, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, Room A218, East Lansing, MI 48824, US
- Phone
- (800) 605-6424
- CON.nurse@msu.edu · CON.Admissions@msu.edu (admissions)
- Website
- nursing.msu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Save April 1 and November 1 Traditional BSN deadlines and register for a CON information webinar on the events page.
- Compare your transcript to MSU’s published prerequisite list and run transfer.msu.edu for any non-MSU courses.
- Download the latest Michigan LARA NCLEX score summary and note MSU’s program-level first-time rate for your records.
- Model tuition using finaid.msu.edu/fees (professional-unit bands, ABSN $898/credit, RN-BSN $742.50/credit).
- Review CON scholarships and the March 1 application rhythm.
- Email CON.Admissions@msu.edu with pathway-specific questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michigan State University offer an accelerated BSN?
Yes. MSU’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN is a 16-month, four-semester program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in another field. Classes meet in East Lansing or Detroit, with a fall start each year.
What NCLEX-RN outcomes does MSU College of Nursing publish?
MSU’s Traditional BSN materials list first-time NCLEX pass rates (2025) of 87% (East Lansing) and 90% (Detroit)—school-reported. The Accelerated Second Degree page references an 89.87% average for 2024 and about 92% in the first quarter of 2025. Confirm cohort definitions and the latest figures with CON and Michigan LARA NCLEX summaries.
What is MSU’s Traditional BSN application deadline?
MSU College of Nursing lists April 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Decisions usually follow two to three weeks after grades post.
How competitive is Michigan State University’s Traditional BSN?
Admission is highly competitive. Minimum requirements include a 3.0 cumulative GPA, 2.0 in each prerequisite, and 28 credits, but MSU notes most admitted students exceed those minimums. About 120 students are selected per academic year.
How much is RN-to-BSN tuition at MSU?
MSU’s Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 fee schedule lists On-line Nursing R.N. to B.S.N. at $742.50 per credit hour. Confirm current rates on finaid.msu.edu/fees.
What graduate nursing degrees does MSU offer?
CON offers MSN (NP and CNS tracks), DNP (including Nurse Anesthesiology), Post-Master’s DNP, Ph.D. in Nursing, and post-graduate APRN certificates plus a Teaching in Nursing certificate. See nursing.msu.edu/graduate.
Is MSU’s Nurse Anesthesiology program separately accredited?
Yes. MSU states the graduate-level Nurse Anesthesiology Program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs (COA), while BSN/MSN/DNP programs are CCNE-accredited. Verify status with COA, CCNE, and CON.
Does MSU require the TEAS for nursing admission?
MSU’s Traditional BSN admissions page reviewed for this guide does not list TEAS; it emphasizes GPA, prerequisites, credits, and reflection materials. Confirm for your pathway with CON.Admissions@msu.edu.
What should international applicants know about MSU nursing?
Verify English proficiency, credential evaluation, visa status, clinical eligibility, and Michigan licensure steps with MSU international programs, the College of Nursing, and Michigan LARA. This answer is guidance only, not legal advice.
References
- Michigan State University College of Nursing — homenursing.msu.edu
- MSU — Undergraduate nursing overviewundergraduate/overview
- MSU — Traditional BSNtraditional-bsn
- MSU — Traditional BSN admissionsadmissions
- MSU — Accelerated Second Degree BSNaccelerated-second-degree-bsn
- MSU — RN-to-BSNrn-bsn
- MSU — Graduate nursing overviewgraduate/Overview
- MSU — College of Nursing contactcontact-us
- MSU Office of Financial Aid — Resident tuition & fees (Fall 2025 / Spring 2026)finaid.msu.edu/fees
- MSU — Tuition calculator (Fall/Spring)ctlr.msu.edu
- Michigan LARA — Bureau of Community & Health Systems (NCLEX publications)michigan.gov/lara
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 program-list alignment with MSU College of Nursing pages, tuition figures against MSU’s Fall 2025 / Spring 2026 fee schedule, Traditional BSN deadline accuracy, and NCLEX figures as stated on CON with Michigan LARA cross-check guidance.
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 Michigan State University College of Nursing and Michigan nursing regulators.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy