Alcorn State University School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing sits on Alcorn’s Natchez campus and prepares nurses across ASN, BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and post-master’s DNP pathways. This guide summarizes program scope, school-published NCLEX-RN and outcome tables, graduate per-credit costs, and where to confirm data with Alcorn and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Alcorn stacks a full ladder—associate and generic BSN pre-licensure options on the Natchez campus, an RN-to-BSN completion track, MSN FNP/Nurse Educator pathways with post-master’s certificates, and a post-master’s DNP for certified FNPs—backed by public ACEN disclosures you should read in full because BSN and MSN carry “with conditions / good cause” notations.
Overview & Why Students Choose Alcorn Nursing
Nearly five decades after the School of Nursing opened in 1977, Alcorn still centers its “AlcoRN” identity on clinically competent graduates who serve Mississippi’s largely rural and underserved communities. Instruction for pre-licensure students happens on the Natchez campus (Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing), while RN-to-BSN and most graduate courses lean on online and hybrid formats consistent with Alcorn’s published graduate program descriptions.
Because ACEN’s public disclosure differentiates among continuing accreditation, continuing accreditation with conditions (BSN), continuing accreditation with good cause (MSN), and initial accreditation (DNP), applicants should read the linked PDF in addition to marketing summaries on this page.
Alcorn publishes downloadable NCLEX-RN and employment survey data in its Student Achievement Outcome Data PDF (revised March 2025). The Mississippi IHL 2025 nursing annual report lists separate associate and bachelor NCLEX-RN rows for Alcorn (MS BON/NCSBN data). For Board-first-time cuts, see the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Reasons students look at Alcorn State University School of Nursing
Stackable pathways
ASN, generic BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, post-master’s certificates, and a post-master’s DNP give students multiple entry and progression points without changing institutions.
Clinical footprint in southwest Mississippi
The Natchez campus anchors supervised practice for pre-licensure cohorts close to regional hospitals Alcorn routinely partners with for hands-on training (confirm current contracts with the SON).
Transparent outcome tables
The SON posts aggregated NCLEX, completion, and survey-based job-placement metrics—useful for applicants who want numbers alongside narrative mission statements.
LPN bridge option
Licensed practical nurses can pursue the ASN through a three-semester advanced placement track instead of the four-semester generic sequence, per Alcorn’s ASN program page.
Nursing Programs Offered
Alcorn organizes nursing into undergraduate and graduate divisions. The university awards an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) for its two-year pre-licensure track; throughout NurseOnShift we also call this pathway an associate-degree (ADN-style) pre-licensure route so readers can compare it to other schools that use the ADN label.
Pre-licensure (ASN & generic BSN)
ASN — Generic (4 semesters)
Direct-entry students complete four semesters to earn the ASN and qualify for NCLEX-RN, according to Alcorn’s associate program overview.
ASN — LPN advanced placement (3 semesters)
Current LPNs who meet admission standards can finish the ASN in three semesters, per Alcorn’s ASN description.
BSN — Generic (4 semesters)
The pre-licensure bachelor track runs four semesters for students who are not yet licensed RNs, per the BSN program page.
Post-licensure (RN-to-BSN)
RN-to-BSN (2 semesters)
Licensed RNs with unencumbered licenses may complete the BSN in two semesters, per Alcorn’s RN-to-BSN materials.
Graduate (MSN, certificates, DNP)
MSN — Family Nurse Practitioner (~49 credits)
Includes 750 direct patient-care hours and prepares graduates for national FNP certification exams, per the graduate nursing overview.
MSN — Nurse Educator (~34 credits)
Focuses on academic and clinical education roles with certification eligibility outlined on the MSN page.
Post-master’s FNP or Nurse Educator certificates
Designed for master’s-prepared nurses seeking an additional role, per Alcorn’s MSN program description.
DNP for certified FNPs
Alcorn states the DNP is limited to certified Family Nurse Practitioners and is offered only in a full-time progression format.
Download Alcorn’s Accreditation Status Disclosure before you apply: ASN holds continuing accreditation; BSN is continuing with conditions; MSN is continuing with good cause; DNP holds initial accreditation. Interpret those phrases with ACEN’s public statements, not this summary alone. The May 2025 Mississippi IHL Nursing Annual Report also lists an associate-degree ACEN row for Alcorn with a Spring 2031 visit and a separate baccalaureate/higher accreditation summary—reconcile both tables with the SON disclosure you plan to rely on.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Alcorn’s Student Achievement Outcome Data (2021–2024, revised March 7, 2025), the School of Nursing reports an annual NCLEX-RN pass rate for all testers (first-time and repeat combined) listed under “Annual licensing/certification exam pass rate for all test takers.”
The Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Annual Report for Mississippi Nursing Degree Programs (May 15, 2025; data cited to the Mississippi Board of Nursing and NCSBN) publishes separate NCLEX-RN rows for Alcorn’s associate and bachelor undergraduate programs. Those calendar-year percentages and three-year aggregates may differ slightly from the SON PDF due to cohort boundaries and table definitions—use both sources when you compare programs.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN — associate program (MS IHL 2025 report, all testers) | 100% (2022), 100% (2023), 78.05% (2024); three-year 89.29% — IHL Nursing Annual Report (PDF) |
| NCLEX-RN — bachelor program (MS IHL 2025 report, all testers) | 92.31% (2022), 95.45% (2023), 92.31% (2024); three-year 93.24% (same source) |
| ASN — annual NCLEX-RN pass rate (all testers) | 2022: reported 22/22; 2023: 21/21; 2024: 32/41 (78.05%) — Alcorn SON achievement PDF |
| BSN — annual NCLEX-RN pass rate (all testers) | 2022: 24/26 (92.31%); 2023: 21/22 (95.45%); 2024: 24/26 (92.31%) — same PDF |
| Additional cohort metric (first-time & repeat testers) | The PDF also lists smaller “cohort” denominators (e.g., ASN 7/8 in 2024). Use the rows that match your question—annual vs. cohort—and read the PDF’s headings carefully. |
| Mississippi Board of Nursing | For Board-published school-level data (often emphasizing first-time testers), start at msbn.ms.gov and download the latest public NCLEX report. Automated scrapes of MSBON pages were blocked during this review, so confirm figures directly. |
| Source | ASU SON Student Achievement Outcome Data PDF; Mississippi IHL — 2025 Nursing Annual Report (PDF). Confirm the latest cohort with the School of Nursing and MSBON. |
NCLEX dashboards differ by whether they count first-time testers only, all testers, or academic year. Always align the percentage with the definition in the document you cite and confirm updates with the Mississippi Board of Nursing and Alcorn.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Alcorn hosts nursing students on an HBCU campus with nationwide recruitment, but immigration, visa, and Mississippi licensure rules are highly individual. Treat the bullets below as a checklist, not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm whether Alcorn’s Graduate Studies or international admissions office requires TOEFL, IELTS, DuoLingo, or other scores for your specific program.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Determine whether WES, CGFNS, or another evaluator is required before Graduate Nursing will review MSN/DNP prerequisites.
- Mississippi Board of Nursing: Internationally educated nurses must follow MSBON instructions for credential review, NCLEX eligibility, and any remedial coursework—especially if you already hold a foreign nursing license.
- Immigration & clinical clearance: Hybrid programs still require in-person clinical intensives; ensure your visa status supports travel, background checks, and liability insurance required by clinical sites.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Alcorn’s international admissions team, the School of Nursing graduate office, and the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Alcorn publishes downloadable criteria PDFs for generic ASN/BSN, LPN advanced placement, RN-to-BSN, and graduate nursing applicants. Because those documents are revised independently of marketing pages, treat the uploaded Word/PDF packets—not this guide—as the final word on GPA, science grades, and testing.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Generic ASN / BSN / LPN-APO | Not stated on the thin SON Undergraduate Admissions web page during this review | Open the “Admission Criteria” PDFs linked from the ASN/BSN pages or email the SON office at Contact Us. |
| RN-to-BSN | Confirm on RN-to-BSN packet | Requires unencumbered RN license plus other criteria per Alcorn’s BSN overview. |
| MSN / DNP | Confirm with Graduate Studies | Use the “Apply to Graduate Nursing” workflow referenced from the MSN page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA / science grades | Detailed in the downloadable criteria PDFs; not reproduced here in full |
| TEAS / HESI | Not confirmed on the lightweight SON Undergraduate Admissions page during this review—ask the SON whether ATI TEAS or another exam is required for your cycle. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Alcorn separates commuter, residence-hall, and credit-hour scenarios. The public financial-aid page still embeds a Fall 2020–Spring 2021 grid (example: $3,645 per semester for a commuter enrolled in 12 credits, before activity, technology, and capital improvement line items), so you must cross-check the newer PDF flyer for your catalog year.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition snapshot | Use the interactive Tuition and Fees page plus the linked 2024–2025 Tuition and Fees Flyer (PDF). Housing additions vary by hall assignment. |
| Graduate nursing per-credit tuition (2024–2025 estimate PDF) | $454.11 per semester hour for MSN (FNP & Nurse Educator lines combined in the table) and $467.05 per semester hour for DNP, plus $50/semester capital improvement fee, $120/semester technology fee, travel, books, malpractice insurance, and clinical technology listed in the same PDF. |
| Source | Alcorn Tuition & Fees; MSN/DNP Estimated Related Costs 2024–2025. Confirm amounts with the Bursar before you budget. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Beyond NCLEX-RN, Alcorn’s achievement PDF lists completion rates, employer-survey placement, and graduate certification pass snapshots. Percentages are only as strong as the underlying denominators (respondents vs. entire cohort), so read the footnotes in the primary PDF.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, IHL bachelor row, CY 2022–24) | 92.31% / 95.45% / 92.31% by year; 93.24% three-year — MS IHL 2025 report (MS BON/NCSBN) |
| NCLEX-RN (ASN, IHL associate row, CY 2022–24) | 100% / 100% / 78.05% by year; 89.29% three-year — same IHL report |
| NCLEX-RN (BSN, all testers, 2024, SON PDF) | Reported 92.31% (24/26) per March 2025 PDF revision. |
| NCLEX-RN (ASN, all testers, 2024, SON PDF) | Reported 78.05% (32/41) per same document. |
| Job placement surveys (undergraduate, 2021–2023) | The PDF lists survey-reported RN employment within 12 months separately for ASN and BSN respondents (e.g., 2023 ASN 22/22 respondents; 2023 BSN 22/22 respondents). These are responding-graduate percentages, not guaranteed placement for every student. |
| Graduate certification exams (MSN) | The PDF shows annual aggregate pass data for MSN (example: 2024 7/8 = 87.5%). Clarify with the SON whether that row tracks FNP national certification, educator certification, or a blended reporting line. |
| Source | ASU SON Student Achievement Outcome Data. Confirm current cohorts with the SON. |
Is Alcorn Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Choose Alcorn if you want a public, mission-driven program with both associate and baccalaureate pre-licensure tracks plus an internal bridge to graduate school. Pass on it (or keep a backup plan) if you need a guarantee of fully online clinical-heavy pre-licensure education or if ACEN “with conditions” notations concern you without further research.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want ASN or generic BSN pathways anchored in Natchez with access to rural Mississippi clinical placements.
- Are already licensed RNs or LPNs looking for structured RN-to-BSN, LPN advanced placement, or MSN/DNP progression.
- Value a program that publishes multi-year NCLEX and employment-survey dashboards.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a marketing-ready ABSN/second-degree label identical to large public universities—Alcorn emphasizes its four-semester generic BSN.
- Cannot travel for hybrid FNP intensives or DNP residency requirements.
- Prefer uncomplicated “continuing accreditation” language across every degree without additional ACEN qualifiers.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Natchez sits along the Mississippi River in southwest Mississippi, serving a mix of small urban and rural communities. Students typically rotate through community hospitals, clinics, and longitudinal care sites whose names change as contracts renew; confirm the active affiliation list with the SON clinical coordinator each semester.
| Facility / System | Details |
|---|---|
| Merit Health Natchez | Acute-care hospital in Natchez commonly referenced in regional workforce discussions—verify whether Alcorn’s current clinical contract includes specific units. |
| Alcorn ASU Family Clinic | On-campus clinic serving students, employees, and local residents; provides ambulatory exposure for select nursing activities per the SON homepage. |
| University of Mississippi Medical Center (Jackson) | State academic medical center where Alcorn highlights alumni placements (e.g., NICU features)—useful benchmark for advanced pediatrics but not necessarily your primary undergraduate site. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Natchez campus combines the Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing with the ASU Family Clinic, library/learning commons tailored to nursing students, and residence halls that include a dedicated Student Nursing Hall shared with Co-Lin students. Expect tight-knit cohorts and strong faculty advising once you are formally admitted to the SON—even though general university activities may still be advertised from the Lorman flagship.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary nursing office
- Natchez-based School of Nursing (see Contact Us for the most current dean line).
- University address
- 1000 ASU Drive, Lorman, MS 39096-7500, US
- Telephone
- School of Nursing: (601) 304-4302 or (601) 304-4372; Main switchboard: (601) 877-6100
- Use the addresses published on the SON contact page (Cloudflare-protected on the live site).
- Website
- alcorn.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download Alcorn’s Student Achievement PDF and highlight the rows for your intended program (ASN vs. BSN vs. MSN).
- Open the admission-criteria packet that matches your pathway (generic ASN/BSN, LPN-APO, RN-to-BSN, or graduate) and list every prerequisite you still owe.
- Call (601) 304-4302 to confirm whether TEAS/HESI or another exam is required for your entry term.
- Compare the MSN/DNP cost worksheet with the Bursar’s tuition flyer for undergraduates.
- Bookmark the MSBON portal and download whatever NCLEX report is current when you apply.
- Read the ACEN disclosure PDF so you understand “with conditions” vs. “good cause.”
- Create a calendar reminder 30 days before your target application date—Alcorn’s PDFs change mid-year without large homepage fanfare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Alcorn State University run out of Natchez?
The SON lists ASN (generic + LPN advanced placement), generic BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN FNP, MSN Nurse Educator, post-master’s certificates, and a post-master’s DNP for certified FNPs. Delivery blends on-campus pre-licensure labs with online/hybrid graduate coursework per program pages.
How is Alcorn’s BSN NCLEX-RN data reported for 2024?
Alcorn’s March 2025 achievement PDF cites a 92.31% annual pass rate for all BSN NCLEX testers in calendar year 2024 (24 passes / 26 testers). That definition includes repeat attempts—compare carefully to any Mississippi Board of Nursing first-time-only table.
What about ASN NCLEX-RN outcomes in the same report?
The PDF lists 78.05% (32/41) for ASN all-testers in 2024, down from 100% in 2023 with smaller cohorts. Always read both the “cohort” and “annual” rows before drawing conclusions.
Is Alcorn nursing ACEN-accredited?
Yes, but the disclosure differentiates status by program: ASN continues; BSN continues with conditions; MSN continues with good cause; DNP holds initial accreditation. Download Alcorn’s PDF and ACEN’s public directory entry for nuance.
How much does the MSN cost per credit hour?
Alcorn’s 2024–2025 graduate estimate sheet lists $454.11 per semester hour for MSN (FNP & Nurse Educator combined in that table) plus mandatory university and clinical fees.
Where should I look for undergraduate tuition totals?
Start at Alcorn’s Tuition & Fees page, cross-reference the linked 2024–2025 flyer PDF, and ignore stale grids unless Bursar staff confirm they still apply. Room and board stack on top of posted tuition bands.
Does Alcorn require TEAS for nursing majors?
This guide could not verify a TEAS rule from the lightweight SON Undergraduate Admissions page alone. Ask the SON directly and read your criteria PDF—many Mississippi programs rotate between TEAS, HESI, or no exam depending on the year.
Can LPNs skip part of the ASN curriculum?
Yes, if you hold an unencumbered LPN license and meet the advanced-placement checklist, Alcorn describes a three-semester ASN option instead of four.
Who should I call for admissions questions?
Use the nursing lines published on the SON contact page—examples include (601) 304-4302 and (601) 304-4372—plus the university switchboard at (601) 877-6100 if you need routing assistance.
References
- Alcorn State University — School of Nursingalcorn.edu/…/school-of-nursing
- ASU SON Student Achievement Outcome Data (2021–2024, revised Mar. 2025)PDF on alcorn.edu
- ACEN Accreditation Status Disclosure (Sept. 2024 PDF)alcorn.edu PDF
- MSN/DNP Estimated Related Costs 2024–2025alcorn.edu PDF
- Alcorn Tuition & Fees (Financial Aid)alcorn.edu/financial-aid/tuition-and-fees
- Mississippi Board of Nursingmsbn.ms.gov
- 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 NCLEX table alignment with Alcorn’s March 2025 achievement PDF, ACEN disclosure accuracy, and tuition figures sourced from Alcorn’s graduate cost worksheet plus the Financial Aid office links.
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 Mississippi Board of Nursing.
Published: March 25, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 25, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy