Crowder College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Crowder College is a public community college based in Neosho, Missouri, with instructional sites across southwest Missouri. Its nursing department offers Practical Nurse (LPN), Traditional Registered Nurse (RN) leading to an Associate of Science in Nursing (we use ADN here for consistency), plus LPN-to-RN and Paramedic-to-RN bridge pathways. This guide cites crowder.edu for programs and costs, tiered tuition effective Fall 2025 through Spring and Summer 2026, TEAS requirements on Traditional RN materials, and Missouri Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics plus a September 2024 Crowder news release for a cohort-specific pass-rate snapshot. Confirm every figure with Crowder and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Crowder publishes a tiered tuition model where NURS courses sit in Tier 4 (higher per-credit cost) plus common fees—budget with the official Tuition Rates page and your program's approximate cost PDF. Traditional RN applicants should plan for the TEAS at the campus where they wish to test (Testing). For NCLEX, use Missouri Board of Nursing quarterly NCLEX reports alongside any college news or handbooks.
Overview & Why Students Choose Crowder College
From its Neosho campus and centers in communities such as Cassville, McDonald County, and Nevada, Crowder trains nurses who often work in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas clinical settings—an area served by regional tertiary centers (for example Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital Joplin in the broader Joplin area) as well as rural hospitals, long-term care, clinics, and home health. Crowder emphasizes affordable tiered tuition, multi-site access, and pathways from LPN through RN bridges.
The Traditional RN program describes ACEN accreditation and Missouri State Board of Nursing approval; Practical Nursing is described as fully approved by the Missouri State Board of Nursing and DESE. Clinical partnerships mentioned in Crowder communications include area health care facilities; confirm current rotation agreements with the nursing department.
According to a September 11, 2024 Crowder College news article, nursing students from the McDonald County and Nevada instructional centers who graduated in May 2024 had an overall first-time NCLEX pass rate of 95% (RN and LPN candidates referenced together in that release). The same article references re-tester pass outcomes in narrative form. This is not necessarily the college-wide rate for all sites or cohorts. For official statistics, use the Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Board of Nursing NCLEX statistics (quarterly RN/PN reports). Confirm current rates with the Board and Crowder.
Reasons students choose Crowder College
Multi-campus access in southwest Missouri
Traditional RN is offered at Cassville, McDonald County, Neosho, and Nevada per program pages—helpful if you need to stay close to home while completing an ADN.
Stacked LPN → RN options
The Practical Nurse certificate feeds into LPN-to-RN bridge programming Crowder describes at multiple sites, subject to selective admissions.
Paramedic bridge into RN
Crowder offers a Paramedic-to-RN Bridge for applicants with active paramedic certification and licensure, expanding entry routes into the RN curriculum.
Predictable tiered pricing
The Tuition Rates page lists Tier 4 rates for NURS courses separately from general education tiers—use it with your plan of study PDF.
TEAS structure for pre-licensure RN
Traditional RN materials position the TEAS as the nursing entrance exam, with contacts listed by campus for scheduling.
Nursing Programs Offered
The list below mirrors Crowder’s nursing program hub and linked pathway pages. Crowder awards an Associate of Science in Nursing for RN programs; we refer to it as ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) throughout this guide to match common nursing-school terminology. The college does not list a BSN completion on this nursing hub—plan for RN-to-BSN at a university after licensure if you pursue a bachelor’s.
Pre-licensure — Practical Nurse (LPN)
Practical Nurse (LPN)
Crowder describes a 52 credit hour, selective-admission certificate at the Nevada and McDonald County instructional centers, preparing graduates for NCLEX-PN. The program highlights a two-semester sequence (August–May) with no college prerequisites required on the overview—verify current requirements in the Practical Nurse materials.
Pre-licensure — Traditional Registered Nurse (ADN)
Traditional Registered Nurse (RN / ADN)
The Traditional RN page lists campuses: Cassville, McDonald County, Neosho, and Nevada. Students need at least Anatomy & Physiology I and Medical Terminology completed before acceptance; Introduction to Nursing follows admission. Graduation does not guarantee NCLEX-RN eligibility—the Missouri State Board of Nursing determines eligibility individually. Negative drug screens are required; criminal background review is case-by-case in Missouri.
Career-entry bridges toward RN (ADN)
LPN to RN Bridge
For students with current, active LPN licensure seeking RN preparation with advanced standing. See the LPN to RN Bridge page for campus availability and semester length (Crowder cites two nursing semesters after general education for licensed LPNs on the nursing FAQ).
Paramedic to RN Bridge
For applicants with current and active paramedic certification and licensure as described on the Paramedic to RN Bridge program page.
Crowder’s nursing pages reference negative drug screening, background review, and—for Practical Nursing applicants—Family Care Safety Registry steps tied to Missouri requirements. Follow the current handbook and application checklist for your pathway.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Missouri Board of Nursing — 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4: Crowder runs multiple approved ADN instructional sites; the Board lists each site on its own program line. From the 2025 Quarter 3 RN Report 4 Total column (first-time candidates), illustrative rows include: Neosho (US17401000) 96.43% (27/28); Nevada (US17404400) 94.44% (17/18); Cassville (US17404700) 85.00% (17/20); McDonald County (US17408100) 85.19% (23/27). Combined across those four lines, 84 of 93 first-time testers passed (~90.3%)—a rough aggregate; confirm site-specific rates in the PDF.
School news snapshot (subset of graduates): Crowder’s September 11, 2024 news release states that May 2024 graduates from the McDonald County and Nevada instructional centers achieved a 95% first-time NCLEX pass rate (RN and LPN candidates discussed together). That headline does not include Neosho or Cassville cohorts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time by site (MO BON Report 4, 2025 Q3, Total column) | Neosho 96.43% (27/28, US17401000); Nevada 94.44% (17/18, US17404400); Cassville 85.00% (17/20, US17404700); McDonald Co. 85.19% (23/27, US17408100) — RN Report 4 PDF |
| Approx. combined (four sites, same PDF) | ~90.3% (84/93 first-time); use site rows for decisions, not this aggregate alone |
| School news (May 2024 graduates, scoped) | 95% first-time for McDonald County & Nevada centers — Crowder news Sept. 11, 2024 |
| Source | Missouri Board of Nursing — NCLEX statistics; Crowder news. Confirm current data with the Board and Crowder. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort, pathway (RN vs PN), and reporting methodology. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Missouri Board of Nursing and Crowder College.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Crowder’s Tuition Rates page lists a distinct per-credit rate for out-of-state / international students in its tiered structure. Nursing’s main landing page states that licensure compliance has been confirmed for Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and that other states have not been determined—treat this as a planning flag, not a guarantee for your situation.
- English-language proficiency: Ask Crowder admissions whether TOEFL, IELTS, or other exams apply to nursing applicants.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Determine whether prior non-U.S. coursework must be evaluated for prerequisites.
- Missouri Board of Nursing: For NCLEX eligibility, endorsement, or internationally educated nurse rules, follow Board guidance at pr.mo.gov/nursing.asp.
- Clinical placements & visas: Confirm F-1 or other visa eligibility with the college’s international office and nursing department; clinical contracts may limit participation.
This section is guidance only—not legal, immigration, or licensure advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Crowder’s nursing pathways are selective-admission programs. General acceptance to the college does not equal acceptance into nursing (NURS) courses. Requirements differ by pathway; always use the nursing hub, the Nursing Student Handbook (linked from the hub), and the pathway-specific application PDFs.
Practical Nurse (example timeline)
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| General admission | Complete a Crowder College admissions application and be accepted before the program deadline, per the Practical Nurse page. |
| Program deadline | April 15—all steps on the program checklist must be completed by this date for the Practical Nurse pathway described on crowder.edu (verify the current year). |
| Registry / compliance | Practical Nursing applicants must follow Family Care Safety Registry instructions on the Crowder page; failure to register by the deadline may affect eligibility. |
Traditional RN (TEAS and prerequisites)
The Traditional RN page lists the TEAS exam with campus contacts in Cassville, McDonald County, Nevada, and Neosho. Minimum score rules, retake policies, and science GPA expectations—if any—should be confirmed in the current handbook or application packet.
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| TEAS | Required for Traditional RN per Crowder’s program page; confirm cut scores with nursing. |
| Typical GPA range | Not publicly disclosed—confirm competitiveness with the nursing office. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Crowder’s Tuition Rates page applies to Fall 2025, Spring & Summer 2026. Nursing courses (NURS) are in Tier 4. Add common per-credit fees to the tiered instructional rate: $35 institutional support, $17 safety & security, and $23 technology (all per credit, as listed on that page).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| In-district Tier 4 (NURS) instructional rate | $240 per credit hour |
| Out-of-district / out-of-state / international Tier 4 (NURS) | $315 per credit hour |
| Common fees (all tiers) | $75 combined per credit hour ($35 + $17 + $23) |
| Illustrative total for NURS (in-district) | $315 per credit hour (Tier 4 $240 + $75 fees), before books/supplies or course-specific charges |
| Program estimates | Crowder links approximate cost PDFs from pathway pages (e.g., Traditional RN approximate cost list; Practical Nurse estimated cost PDF). Use those PDFs for totals that include books and fees beyond tuition. |
| Residency | In-district residency follows Crowder’s published policy (permanent home in the listed school districts that fund the college, or other qualifying categories on the Tuition Rates page). |
| Source | Crowder College — Tuition Rates; pathway cost PDFs on crowder.edu. Confirm amounts with Student Accounts. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Crowder’s September 2024 news piece highlights strong first-time NCLEX performance for the McDonald County and Nevada May 2024 graduating cohort and discusses partnerships with area facilities for clinical learning and hiring pathways. The college also points readers to student achievement data and Power BI dashboards for broader institutional indicators.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX first-time pass (subset) | 95% (May 2024 graduates, McDonald County & Nevada), per Crowder news Sept. 11, 2024 |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed as a single audited percentage on this page. Crowder’s news article quotes the Director of Nursing on graduates entering regional workforce roles—confirm quantitative outcomes with the college. |
| Source | Crowder news release; Missouri BON NCLEX statistics. |
Confirm current licensure exam outcomes with the Missouri Board of Nursing and Crowder College.
Is Crowder College the Right Fit for You?
Crowder fits students who want a public, southwest Missouri nursing program with brick-and-mortar clinical training, can navigate selective admission and TEAS requirements for Traditional RN, and will budget for tiered nursing tuition.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live near Neosho, Nevada, Cassville, or McDonald County and want to commute to Crowder sites.
- Value an LPN certificate in two semesters or an RN ADN with documented ACEN accreditation.
- Already hold LPN or paramedic credentials and want a defined bridge path.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a fully online pre-licensure RN program—Crowder emphasizes seated instruction and clinicals.
- Require a BSN from the same community college—plan for transfer after licensure.
- Cannot meet drug screening, background, and clinical compliance expectations.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Joplin–Neosho region includes Freeman Health System, Mercy Hospital Joplin, and numerous critical-access hospitals, clinics, long-term care sites, and home health agencies across southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. Crowder communications emphasize partnerships with local facilities for clinical training. Employers rotate over time—ask the nursing department for the current affiliate list in your admit year.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional hubs | Joplin anchors major acute-care employers (for example Freeman and Mercy) within driving distance of Neosho. |
| Rural & community care | Skilled nursing, primary care clinics, school nursing, and home health throughout Newton, McDonald, and neighboring counties. |
| Demand | Regional labor demand should be validated with current Missouri Hospital Association, state workforce reports, and employer job boards—not assumed from historical anecdotes. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Crowder promotes on-campus housing for the Neosho experience (noted on Traditional RN materials). Nursing students should expect skills labs and simulation as part of the curriculum, with site-specific faculty contacts published on pathway pages. Student life varies by instructional center—larger student activities often center on the Neosho campus.
Use the Nursing Student Handbook (Spring 2026 PDF linked from the nursing hub at time of review) for professionalism standards, clinical dress, and progression policies.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & nursing offices
- Main campus
- Neosho, MO
- Address
- 601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, MO 64850, US
- General information
- 417-451-3223
- Nursing — Neosho
- 417-455-5554 · NursingNeosho@Crowder.edu
- Nursing — Nevada
- 417-667-0518 · NursingNevada@Crowder.edu
- Nursing — Cassville
- 417-847-1706 · Cassville@Crowder.edu
- Nursing — McDonald County
- 417-226-6000 · NursingMcDonaldCounty@Crowder.edu
- Website
- crowder.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current Nursing Student Handbook and your pathway’s application checklist.
- Compare prerequisites (e.g., A&P I, Medical Terminology for Traditional RN) against your transcripts.
- Schedule the TEAS if you are applying to Traditional RN—use the campus contact list on the program page.
- Build a budget from the Tuition Rates Tier 4 line plus fees, and open your pathway’s approximate cost PDF.
- Complete FAFSA (Crowder code 002459 is cited on Practical Nurse materials) and explore scholarships.
- Review Missouri BON NCLEX statistics for the latest Crowder lines in quarterly PDFs.
- Document questions about clinical sites, cohort capacity, and bridge prerequisites before you call the site coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Crowder College offer a BSN in Neosho?
No. Crowder’s nursing hub lists LPN, Traditional RN (Associate of Science in Nursing), LPN-to-RN Bridge, and Paramedic-to-RN Bridge. A BSN is generally completed after RN licensure at a four-year program; confirm articulation with Crowder advising.
What NCLEX data should I trust for Crowder College?
Use the Missouri Board of Nursing quarterly NCLEX PDFs for official program reporting. A September 11, 2024 Crowder news article also reports a 95% first-time rate for May 2024 graduates from the McDonald County and Nevada instructional centers—note that scope before comparing to other schools. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and Crowder.
Does Crowder College use the TEAS for nursing?
Yes for the Traditional RN track as described on crowder.edu, with testing coordinated at Cassville, McDonald County, Nevada, and Neosho sites. Confirm minimum scores in the current Nursing Student Handbook.
When are Practical Nurse applications due at Crowder College?
The Practical Nurse program page lists April 15 as the deadline, with steps completed after general Crowder admission. Verify the checklist for your entry year.
How much is Crowder College Tier 4 nursing tuition?
For Fall 2025 through Spring and Summer 2026, Crowder lists Tier 4 (NURS) at $240/credit in-district and $315/credit out-of-district/out-of-state/international, plus $75/credit in common fees. Non-NURS courses may use lower tiers.
Where is Crowder College LPN offered vs Traditional RN?
Practical Nurse is at Nevada and McDonald County. Traditional RN lists Cassville, McDonald County, Neosho, and Nevada. Confirm seat availability for your campus.
Is Crowder College’s RN program ACEN-accredited?
Crowder’s Traditional RN page states ACEN accreditation and Missouri State Board of Nursing approval. Practical Nursing is described as Board-approved. Confirm status before enrolling.
What is Crowder College Paramedic to RN Bridge?
It is a pathway for students with active paramedic certification and licensure to pursue the RN degree through Crowder’s bridge curriculum—as described on the dedicated program page.
Will Crowder College nursing qualify me to license outside Missouri?
Crowder’s nursing overview states licensure compliance is documented for Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and not determined for other states. Missouri is an NLC state. Always verify with the Board of Nursing where you intend to practice.
References
- Crowder College — Nursing programscrowder.edu/program/nursing
- Crowder College — Traditional Registered Nurse (RN)crowder.edu/…/traditional-registered-nurse-rn
- Crowder College — Practical Nurse (LPN)crowder.edu/…/practical-nurse-lpn
- Crowder College — Tuition Rates (Fall 2025–Summer 2026)crowder.edu/financial-aid/tuition-residency
- Crowder College — NCLEX pass rate news (Sept. 11, 2024)crowder.edu news article
- Missouri Division of Professional Registration — Board of Nursing (NCLEX statistics)pr.mo.gov/nursing-education-nclex.asp
- Missouri Board of Nursing — main portalpr.mo.gov/nursing.asp
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
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 of program names and campus lists with crowder.edu nursing pages, tiered tuition figures on Crowder Tuition Rates (Fall 2025–Summer 2026), TEAS statements on Traditional RN materials, LPN deadline language on the Practical Nurse page, and NCLEX wording attributed to Crowder’s September 2024 news release plus Missouri Board of Nursing statistics navigation.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and Board rules change; verify with Crowder College and the Missouri Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy