Washtenaw Community College Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
In Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College (WCC) offers two ACEN-accredited associate-level pathways that prepare students for NCLEX-RN: the Registered Nursing AAS (APNURS) and an LPN-to-RN AAS (APNURL). Admissions are structured as competitive / high-demand entry with clear checklist items (including CNA certification or approved alternatives and ATI TEAS minimum section scores). WCC also publishes an annual Nursing Program Outcomes table with NCLEX-RN pass rates by graduation year—use it to sanity-check your expectations, then confirm current requirements with WCC and Michigan nursing regulators.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
WCC is a strong fit if you want an associate-level RN pathway with transparent admission gates (CNA/TEAS minimums, residency documentation, and published application windows) and published outcomes (NCLEX pass rates by graduation year). The trade-off is that both tracks are described as full-time and use competitive admissions, so you’ll want a realistic prerequisite-and-testing plan before you apply.
Overview & Why Students Choose Washtenaw Community College
Washtenaw Community College (WCC) is a public community college in Ann Arbor, Michigan that offers two nursing pathways leading to eligibility for NCLEX-RN: Registered Nursing (APNURS) and Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (APNURL). Both are listed as Associate in Applied Science programs in the 2025–2026 catalog with published minimum program credit totals (62 credits for APNURS; 60 credits for APNURL).
WCC positions nursing as a high-demand program with a structured competitive admission process. If you like predictable checklists, WCC’s admissions pages are unusually explicit about what must be completed before you can apply (webinar/advising steps, TEAS minimums, CNA/license verification, and residency documentation).
WCC’s Nursing Program Outcomes page lists NCLEX-RN pass rates by graduation year, including 96.58% for 2024 graduates (with the Michigan and national rates shown on the same table). Confirm the most current outcomes on wccnet.edu and with the Michigan nursing regulator.
Reasons students choose WCC
Two RN-licensure routes
WCC offers both a standard ADN/AAS RN track (APNURS) and a dedicated LPN-to-RN AAS track (APNURL), which is designed for currently licensed LPNs with recent work experience.
Clear, published gatekeeping
WCC lists admission prerequisites, required documents, and specific TEAS minimum section scores on its Health & 2nd Tier admissions pages—helpful if you want to plan months ahead.
CNA requirement up front (APNURS)
For APNURS, WCC requires Michigan CNA certification (current or expired) or approved course-based alternatives—an early filter that aligns expectations about bedside readiness.
Published outcomes table
WCC publishes completion, employment, and NCLEX pass-rate data by graduation year. It’s not a guarantee, but it’s more transparent than many community-college program pages.
Ann Arbor healthcare access
Being located in Ann Arbor places students near a dense regional healthcare market; clinical assignments depend on current agreements and are managed by the program.
Nursing Programs Offered
The program list below is based on WCC’s catalog program pages and the 2025–2026 course catalog program overviews.
Registered Nursing — Associate in Applied Science (APNURS)
Prepares students for NCLEX-RN. The course catalog lists 62 minimum credits and includes a four-semester nursing sequence (e.g., NUR 108/128/138/288) after admission. Admission is competitive and requires a second application.
LPN to Registered Nurse — Associate in Applied Science (APNURL)
Designed for currently licensed LPNs/LVNs, delivered as a full-time pathway preparing for NCLEX-RN. The course catalog lists 60 minimum credits and references up to 14 credits of prior learning tied to the LPN license/experience after acceptance (as needed to reach minimum credits).
Course sequencing and admission checklists are reviewed annually and can change by catalog term. Always confirm your target entry year using WCC’s Health & 2nd Tier admissions pages and the current program catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
WCC publishes a Nursing Program Outcomes table that includes NCLEX-RN pass rates for WCC, the State of Michigan, and national rates (where available) by graduation year. For example, WCC lists a 96.58% NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024 graduates, alongside 91.98% for Michigan and 82.19% nationally on the same row. WCC also lists 90.09% for 2025 (without the state and national rates displayed on that row).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (WCC, 2024 graduation year) | 96.58% (WCC Nursing Program Outcomes). |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (Michigan, 2024) | 91.98% (same WCC outcomes table row). |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (national, 2024) | 82.19% (same WCC outcomes table row). |
| Source | WCC — Nursing Program Outcomes. Confirm current outcomes with WCC and the Michigan nursing regulator. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting method. Treat any single year as a snapshot and confirm the latest outcomes with WCC and official Michigan nursing regulatory sources.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Nursing programs require in-person clinical participation and state-specific licensure steps. Use the checklist below as guidance and verify everything with WCC and Michigan nursing regulators.
- English proficiency: Confirm any TOEFL/IELTS or placement requirements with WCC Admissions and the nursing department.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WCC may require evaluation for non-U.S. coursework; foreign-educated nurses pursuing licensure may have additional Michigan documentation rules.
- Michigan Board of Nursing / LARA: Confirm NCLEX eligibility and requirements that apply to your background.
- Visa and clinical eligibility: Clinical sites can have additional clearance requirements beyond college admission (health records, background checks, and agency onboarding).
Policies change frequently. Verify with WCC and Michigan nursing regulators before committing to a timeline.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
WCC nursing is designed as a competitive admission pathway with a second application after general admission to the college. Requirements differ by track, but both APNURS and APNURL are described as full-time programs with fixed application windows and verifiable checklist items.
What you’ll typically need (APNURS)
| Requirement | WCC publishes |
|---|---|
| Mandatory nursing info webinar | Required before applying (APNURS admissions page). |
| Prerequisites | MTH 160/160X/176+ (C/2.0), BIO 111 (B-/2.7), COM 101/102/200 (C/2.0), ENG 111/111X (C/2.0) per APNURS admissions page. |
| CNA requirement | Michigan CNA certification (current or expired) OR HSC 100/164/165 (C/2.0) and related substitutions (APNURS admissions page). |
| ATI TEAS | Minimum section scores: Reading 70%, Math 60%, Science 45%, English 60% (APNURS admissions + TEAS page). |
| Residency verification | Required to determine points in competitive admission (APNURS admissions page). |
LPN-to-RN specific requirements (APNURL)
| Requirement | WCC publishes |
|---|---|
| Mandatory advising meeting | Required and application must be approved by a Health Program Advisor before applying (APNURL admissions page). |
| LPN license | Current, unrestricted LPN license verification required (APNURL admissions page). |
| Recent work hours | At least 2,080 hours of LPN/LVN employment in the last 2 years (APNURL admissions page). |
| ATI TEAS | Same minimum section scores listed (APNURL admissions page links to TEAS requirements). |
Application timeline (examples published by WCC)
| Program | Window (example) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| APNURS (Registered Nursing) | Winter 2027: Apr 6, 2026 – Jun 1, 2026 | APNURS admissions page |
| APNURL (LPN→RN) | Spring/Summer 2026: Aug 18, 2025 – Oct 20, 2025 | APNURL admissions page |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Seat counts (APNURS) | WCC states about 136 students welcomed annually (up to 64 fall start, up to 72 winter start), plus alternates (APNURS admissions page). |
| Seat counts (APNURL) | WCC states about 8 students welcomed annually for APNURL, plus alternates (APNURL admissions page). |
| Entrance exam | ATI TEAS required with published minimum section scores (WCC TEAS + program admissions pages). |
| Clinical compliance | Health records, drug screen, and background checks are required after admission (WCC admissions pages). |
Honest tips for applicants
If you’re targeting APNURS, plan backward from the application deadline and treat BIO 111 and the TEAS as your “gating” items—those are the most time-sensitive pieces if you need a retake or substitution approval. If you’re applying to APNURL, don’t wait to gather LPN license verification and the 2,080-hour employment verification; those can be slower than coursework. For both tracks, keep residency documentation tidy because WCC states residency is used for competitive admission points.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
WCC publishes tuition by credit hour and distinguishes between face-to-face and distance/online/virtual course types. Published totals also note additional fees such as a $15 infrastructure fee per credit hour.
| Metric | Value (from WCC) |
|---|---|
| In-district tuition (face-to-face, 2025–2026) | $99 per credit hour. |
| Out-of-district tuition (face-to-face, 2025–2026) | $186 per credit hour. |
| Out-of-state tuition (face-to-face, 2025–2026) | $264 per credit hour (international listed separately). |
| Infrastructure fee | $15 per credit hour (applies to all credit classes). |
| Contact hour fee | $5 per additional contact hour beyond a published ratio, capped at $300 per course (when applicable). |
| Source | WCC Tuition Rates & Fees; WCC Fees (catalog). Confirm current rates with WCC for your term. |
WCC states books and supplies average $300 per semester for full-time students but can be $500 or more depending on course selections (WCC tuition page). Nursing programs may have additional costs (uniforms, compliance tracking, testing). Confirm with WCC’s nursing department for your cohort.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
WCC’s Nursing Program Outcomes page publishes three outcomes categories: NCLEX performance, job placement, and program completion. Use the table as a starting point for questions to ask about cohort size, methodology, and how outcomes differ between APNURS and APNURL.
| Metric | Value (WCC published) |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024) | 96.58% (WCC outcomes table; Michigan and national rates listed on same row). |
| Program completion rate (2024) | 78.4% (WCC outcomes table; completion rate calculation references ACEN methodology). |
| Employment data | WCC lists 100% for 2022–2025; footnotes state the 2025 employment data reflects 50% reported employment data. Treat job placement as a school-reported metric and confirm cohort definitions with WCC. |
| Source | WCC — Nursing Program Outcomes (NCLEX, completion, employment table). Confirm current outcomes with WCC and official nursing regulatory sources. |
Is Washtenaw Community College the Right Fit for You?
WCC can be a great option if you’re aiming for an RN pathway that’s cost-sensitive and structured, and you’re comfortable with competitive admission rules. It may be less ideal if you need a part-time plan, a fully online pre-licensure route, or flexible cohort timing.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an AAS/ADN RN pathway with explicit admission checklists (TEAS/CNA/residency verification).
- Are OK with full-time program expectations once admitted.
- Plan to pursue a BSN later via RN-to-BSN completion after licensure.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a part-time pre-licensure program (WCC states it is not available for these tracks).
- Cannot meet the fixed application windows for the entry term you want.
- Need a guaranteed seat after prerequisites (WCC uses competitive admission).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Ann Arbor sits in a high-density healthcare corridor, and nursing students in the region often work across academic medical centers, community hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care, and home health. Specific WCC clinical sites vary by term and are assigned through program processes, so avoid assuming a particular hospital until the nursing department confirms current clinical agreements.
| Local ecosystem example | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan Health) | Major academic medical center presence in Ann Arbor; strong signal of regional acuity and specialty exposure for the local job market. |
| Trinity Health Ann Arbor | Large community hospital system presence; supports a broad range of med-surg and specialty services across southeast Michigan. |
| VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System | Federal healthcare facility with unique patient populations and care coordination needs. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
WCC’s main campus is located at 4800 E Huron River Drive in Ann Arbor. Nursing coursework includes classroom learning, simulation activities, and clinical rotations. Expect time-intensive weeks during clinical semesters and keep room for onboarding tasks (health records, background checks, and site-specific training) that can ramp up quickly after acceptance.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Ann Arbor, MI
- Address
- 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800, US
- Telephone
- (734) 973-3543
- Contact email
- healthadmissions@wccnet.edu (Health & 2nd Tier admissions; per WCC nursing application packet)
- Website
- wccnet.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Watch WCC’s mandatory nursing information webinar (required for APNURS) and bookmark the Health & 2nd Tier admissions pages for your track.
- Map prerequisite completion dates (BIO 111, ENG 111, COM course, MTH requirement) against the published application window you’re targeting.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS through WCC’s testing workflow and plan retakes within WCC’s attempt rules if needed.
- If applying to APNURS, verify your CNA status (Michigan CNA registry documentation or WCC course alternatives) and gather proof early.
- If applying to APNURL, gather LPN license verification and start employer paperwork for the 2,080-hour employment verification requirement.
- Estimate your first-year budget using WCC tuition tables plus the $15/credit infrastructure fee, and set aside room for nursing compliance costs.
- Read WCC’s Nursing Program Outcomes table and write down two questions about how outcomes are calculated for your specific pathway (APNURS vs. APNURL).
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Washtenaw Community College offer?
WCC lists two associate-level programs in its catalog: Registered Nursing (APNURS) AAS and Licensed Practical Nurse to Registered Nurse (APNURL) AAS. Both are designed to prepare students for NCLEX-RN after graduation. See WCC’s program catalog pages for minimum credits and course sequences.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Washtenaw Community College?
WCC publishes NCLEX outcomes on its Nursing Program Outcomes page. For example, WCC lists 96.58% for 2024 graduates and 90.09% for 2025. Always confirm the latest reporting year and methodology with WCC and official sources.
Does WCC require the ATI TEAS exam for nursing?
Yes. WCC’s admissions pages state applicants must pass the current ATI TEAS with minimum section scores: Reading 70%, Math 60%, Science 45%, and English 60%. See WCC’s TEAS information page for attempt rules and details.
Do you need CNA certification for WCC’s Registered Nursing program?
For APNURS, WCC’s admissions checklist requires Michigan CNA certification (current or expired) or completion of approved WCC courses (HSC 100/164/165) and lists substitution options (e.g., current out-of-state CNA certification or a current LPN license). Confirm acceptable documentation on the APNURS admissions page.
How competitive is WCC nursing admission?
WCC designates nursing as a high-demand program and states it uses a competitive admission process (point-based ranking). WCC also publishes approximate seat counts for each program and term. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Is the LPN-to-RN program at WCC open to any LPN?
WCC’s APNURL admissions page requires a current, unrestricted LPN license plus an employment verification showing at least 2,080 hours of LPN/LVN work in the last two years, among other requirements. Confirm current rules on the APNURL admissions page.
How much is tuition at WCC?
For 2025–2026, WCC lists $99/credit for in-district face-to-face courses, $186/credit out-of-district, and $264/credit out-of-state (plus a $15/credit infrastructure fee). Rates vary by course type (face-to-face vs. online/virtual). See WCC’s tuition page for your term.
Is WCC’s nursing program accredited?
ACEN’s directory lists Washtenaw Community College’s associate-level nursing accreditation status as Accredited with a most recent action date of September 12, 2024. WCC’s catalog also references approval by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Confirm current status with ACEN and WCC.
What happens after you’re accepted to WCC nursing?
WCC’s admissions pages describe post-acceptance requirements such as a background check/drug screen process through a college-designated vendor and health record tracking for clinical participation. Details and deadlines are provided after acceptance and can change by cohort.
References
- WCC — Registered Nursing (APNURS) admissionswccnet.edu — APNURS admissions
- WCC — LPN to RN (APNURL) admissionswccnet.edu — APNURL admissions
- WCC — TEAS testing informationwccnet.edu — TEAS
- WCC — Nursing Program Outcomes (NCLEX, completion, employment table)wccnet.edu — outcomes
- WCC Course Catalog — Nursing, Registered (AAS) APNURScoursecatalog.wccnet.edu — APNURS AAS
- WCC Course Catalog — Nursing, LPN to RN (AAS) APNURLcoursecatalog.wccnet.edu — APNURL AAS
- WCC — Tuition rates and fees (2025–2026)wccnet.edu — tuition
- ACEN — Washtenaw Community College (Associate) accreditation listingacenursing.org — WCC listing
- 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, for alignment with WCC’s admissions checklists (APNURS/APNURL), published TEAS minimums, course catalog credit totals, WCC tuition disclosures, and WCC-published nursing outcomes.
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 Washtenaw Community College and Michigan nursing regulators.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy
