Great Falls College MSU Nursing Program Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
Great Falls College Montana State University offers a Registered Nurse track (Associate of Science in Registered Nursing) and a separate Practical Nursing certificate (LPN) in north-central Montana. This guide uses the 2025–2026 catalog, Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition PDFs, and the Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN pass-rate report.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Great Falls College MSU sits in Montana’s third-largest city with major employers such as Benefis Health System nearby. The RN program is limited to 25 students per year (per catalog), and the college highlights OneMSU transfer pathways for students who later pursue a BSN within the Montana University System.
Overview & Why Students Choose Great Falls College MSU
Great Falls College Montana State University is a two-year college in the Montana University System, offering a Registered Nurse program that awards an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing and a separate Practical Nursing program that awards a Certificate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing—both approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing per the 2025–2026 catalog. The college is institutionally accredited by NWCCU.
We use ADN below as common shorthand for the associate-level RN pathway; GFC MSU’s official degree name is Associate of Science in Registered Nursing.
According to the Montana Board of Nursing registered nursing NCLEX pass rates, Great Falls College had a reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 100.00% in 2024 with 26 first-time test takers. Montana’s statewide first-time pass rate in the same table was 92.60%. Outcomes vary by cohort; confirm the latest data with the Board and the school.
Reasons students choose Great Falls College MSU
Documented NCLEX outcomes
The Montana Board publishes calendar-year, school-level NCLEX-RN tables so you can compare Great Falls College to other Montana programs using one official source.
Catalog cost transparency
The 2025–2026 catalog posts estimated resident tuition and fees for the RN and PN programs plus links to Fall 2025–Spring 2026 per-credit schedules.
Two entry paths
Students may enter PN (LPN) or RN directly—the programs are separate tracks (not a required LPN-to-RN ladder), per college program pages.
Great Falls clinical hub
North-central Montana’s largest city anchors major providers (for example Benefis Health System), supporting diverse clinical learning; confirm assigned sites with the nursing department.
Nursing Programs Offered
The 2025–2026 GFC MSU academic catalog lists Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse as distinct nursing programs. This page does not describe BSN, MSN, or DNP at the college—the catalog pages reviewed for this guide focus on pre-licensure RN and LPN pathways.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Associate of Science in Registered Nursing
After formal acceptance, students complete four consecutive semesters of nursing coursework (on-site) per the program page. The catalog lists total program credits of 72–73 including prerequisites. The program accepts 25 students per year (limited enrollment).
Pre-licensure (LPN)
Practical Nursing (Certificate of Applied Science)
Prepares for NCLEX-PN. The college offers face-to-face or distance-hybrid delivery; full-time students can finish in about two semesters after acceptance, with a part-time track over two years.
Always confirm tracks, capacity, and admission status on the Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse pages and in the current catalog.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Montana Board of Nursing registered nursing NCLEX pass rates (calendar-year reporting), the most recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Great Falls College was 100.00% in 2024 with 26 first-time test takers. Montana’s statewide first-time pass rate in the same table was 92.60% in 2024 (689 first-time testers statewide). The college’s program page also states that 100 percent of graduates passed boards on the first attempt in 2024, consistent with the Board table.
For NCLEX-PN (LPN), look for the Board’s practical nursing pass-rate publications or contact the Montana Board of Nursing education pages—we did not duplicate PN figures here without citing the same official table in this build.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024) | 100.00% (26 first-time test takers; MT BON PDF) |
| Montana statewide first-time pass (2024) | 92.60% (same report) |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN pass rates PDF. Confirm current year and cohort with the Board and Great Falls College MSU. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Montana Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Great Falls College MSU and the Montana Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Montana Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Great Falls College MSU’s international admissions office and the Montana Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Both nursing pathways are limited enrollment. The 2025–2026 catalog states prerequisite courses must be completed with at least a C (not C−) in each course and a minimum cumulative prerequisite GPA of 2.5; grades in prerequisites are a “major factor” in ranking RN applications. Science courses must be completed within five years of application; other prerequisites within 15 years (RN track). Confirm whether an additional entrance exam (for example TEAS or HESI) is required for your cohort—the catalog excerpts reviewed for this guide emphasize GPA and course grades rather than a named standardized test.
Application timeline
| Step | Timing / deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to the college | Rolling admissions | Start with GFC MSU Admissions; complete prerequisite coursework. |
| Apply to the nursing program | Not publicly disclosed on catalog pages reviewed here | Use the nursing department’s current application packet and recorded information session. |
| RN prerequisites (examples) | Before program entry | BIOH 201/211, WRIT 101, chemistry option, math option—see catalog grid. |
| PN prerequisites (examples) | Before program entry | PSYX 100, WRIT 101, biology option, math option—see Practical Nurse catalog page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed as a single percentage |
| Prerequisite GPA (catalog) | Minimum 2.5 cumulative in prerequisite coursework (RN and PN) |
| ATI TEAS / other exam | Not specified in the catalog excerpts reviewed—confirm with the nursing office |
Honest tips
Watch the college’s recorded Nursing Program Information Session (RN & PN) linked from the program pages for admissions steps and timelines. Because the RN cohort is capped at 25 seats, plan prerequisites early and ask advising how applications are ranked beyond GPA.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Great Falls College publishes Fall 2025–Spring 2026 per-credit schedules for resident, non-resident, and WUE students, plus mandatory fees, program fees, and course fees. The 2025–2026 catalog also lists estimated program costs:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| RN — estimated resident tuition & fees (catalog) | $10,070 (plus uniforms, lab/course fees, program fee, books) |
| PN — estimated resident tuition & fees (catalog) | $6,042 (plus uniforms, lab/course fees, program fee, books) |
| Per-credit example (12–25 credits, resident) | $2,072.07 total resident tuition & fees per semester block at 12–25 credits (Fall 2025–Spring 2026 resident PDF; includes bundled line items in table) |
| Per-credit example (12–25 credits, non-resident) | $6,021.84 tuition + $6,513.27 total tuition & fees per semester block (non-resident PDF) |
| Source | GFC MSU Tuition & Fees; Catalog — Registered Nurse estimated cost; Catalog — Practical Nurse estimated cost |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Use the Montana Board PDF for licensure exam outcomes. The college’s RN page highlights a strong recent cohort outcome; confirm job-placement statistics with Advising & Career Services if you need employment data.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (2024) | 100.00% (26 first-time testers; MT BON PDF) |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed as a single audited percentage on the pages reviewed for this guide. |
| Source | Montana Board NCLEX PDF; confirm current rates with the Board and GFC MSU. |
Is Great Falls College MSU the Right Fit for You?
GFC MSU fits students who want an affordable Montana University System two-year college with separate PN and RN pathways, small cohorts, and clinical training near a regional healthcare hub.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a Certificate of Applied Science (LPN) or Associate of Science in Registered Nursing with Board-approved programs.
- Can meet prerequisite GPA and grade rules (minimum C in each prerequisite, 2.5 cumulative in prerequisite coursework per catalog).
- Value hybrid PN options or a full-time RN sequence after competitive admission.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a BSN without transferring—plan for a BSN completion program after the AS RN.
- Expect unlimited nursing capacity—RN entry is limited to 25 students per year.
- Need a fully online RN program—RN is delivered on-site per the program page.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Great Falls is a regional referral center for north-central Montana. The ecosystem includes Benefis Health System and other hospitals, clinics, long-term care, and community agencies. The college does not publish a complete affiliate list in the sections reviewed for this guide—confirm active clinical sites with the nursing department.
| Facility / setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Benefis Health System | Large Great Falls–based system; common regional employer for nurses (verify student affiliation with the program). |
| Community & rural sites | Typical nursing rotations include acute care, community, long-term care, and specialty settings—assigned by the program. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Great Falls College emphasizes small class sizes (the college cites a 17:1 student–faculty ratio and ~13 average class size on its public homepage), 8-week course blocks for many programs, and hybrid options for some pathways. Nursing students complete lab and clinical experiences on a professional schedule; expect immunization, background-check, and safety requirements for clinical placements. Student life includes student government, clubs, and activities typical of a commuter-friendly two-year college.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Great Falls, MT
- Address
- 2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405, US
- Main telephone
- +1-406-771-4300
- Admissions
- (406) 268-3700 (per campus admissions page)
- Contact email
- admissions@gfcmsu.edu
- Website
- gfcmsu.edu
Official links
Your next steps checklist
- Read the Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse pages and watch the recorded RN & PN information session.
- Compare prerequisite grids in the catalog RN and PN pages to your transcripts.
- Build a budget using the estimated cost tables and the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition PDFs.
- Email admissions@gfcmsu.edu or call 406-268-3700 to confirm your applicant type and next steps.
- Bookmark the Montana Board of Nursing for licensure and NCLEX eligibility rules.
- Ask the nursing department whether any entrance exam applies to your cohort and how the RN 25-seat cap is ranked.
- If you plan to continue to a BSN, ask advising about OneMSU transfer and partner agreements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Great Falls College MSU offer?
Per the 2025–2026 GFC MSU catalog, the college offers a Registered Nurse program (Associate of Science in Registered Nursing; NCLEX-RN) and a Practical Nurse program (Certificate of Applied Science; NCLEX-PN). It does not list BSN or graduate nursing on the catalog pages reviewed for this guide.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Great Falls College according to the Montana Board of Nursing?
The Montana Board NCLEX PDF lists Great Falls College at 100.00% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for calendar year 2024 with 26 first-time test takers. Montana’s statewide first-time rate was 92.60% in the same report. Confirm newer cohorts with the Board and the school.
How much does the Great Falls College MSU RN program cost for Montana residents?
The catalog estimated resident program cost shows $10,070 for tuition and fees for the RN program (before uniforms, lab/course fees, program fee, and books). Use the Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition PDFs for per-credit detail.
Is Great Falls College MSU nursing accredited?
The college is NWCCU–accredited at the institutional level. The Registered Nurse and Practical Nurse programs are approved by the Montana State Board of Nursing per the catalog accreditation section. Confirm any specialty nursing accreditation with the school.
Does Great Falls College MSU require TEAS for nursing admission?
The 2025–2026 catalog prerequisite tables emphasize GPA and course grades; a specific ATI TEAS requirement is not stated in the catalog excerpts reviewed for this guide. Confirm any entrance exam with the nursing department.
How many students does Great Falls College MSU admit to the RN program each year?
The Registered Nurse catalog page states the program accepts 25 students each year as a limited-enrollment program.
What is the difference between the PN and RN programs at Great Falls College MSU?
The Practical Nurse CAS prepares for NCLEX-PN (about two semesters after acceptance full-time; hybrid options). The Registered Nurse AS prepares for NCLEX-RN in four semesters after acceptance (on-site). They are separate entry paths.
Where is Great Falls College MSU located?
The catalog general information lists 2100 16th Avenue South, Great Falls, MT 59405.
Who directs nursing at Great Falls College MSU?
The Registered Nurse program page lists Heather Smith, MSN, RN, as Interim Director of Nursing as of the pages reviewed—confirm current leadership on gfcmsu.edu.
References
- Great Falls College MSU — Registered Nurse programgfcmsu.edu/academic-program/registered-nurse/
- Great Falls College MSU — Practical Nurse programgfcmsu.edu/academic-program/practical-nurse/
- Great Falls College MSU Academic Catalog (2025–2026) — RN & PNcatalog.gfcmsu.edu — Registered Nurse; Practical Nurse
- Great Falls College MSU — Tuition & Fees (Fall 2025–Spring 2026 PDFs)gfcmsu.edu/…/tuition-fees/
- Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN pass rates (PDF)new_nclex_rn.pdf
- Montana Board of Nursing — agency siteboards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing/
- Great Falls College MSU — Accreditation (catalog)catalog.gfcmsu.edu/accreditation/
- 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 Great Falls College MSU catalog and program pages, the Montana Board NCLEX-RN PDF, and the published Fall 2025–Spring 2026 tuition schedules.
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 Montana Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-27 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy