Helena College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Helena College University of Montana is a public two-year college in Montana’s capital, offering Practical Nursing (LPN) and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that prepares graduates for NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN. This guide uses the Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN report (calendar-year data), Helena College’s 2025–2026 tuition and fee schedule, and the ACEN program directory; confirm deadlines and selective admission rules with the college and the Montana Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Helena College sits in Helena, giving nursing students access to the state capital’s hospitals and regional clinical partners while keeping Montana resident tuition on the MUS two-year schedule. Pair the college’s Health Sciences pathways with official Montana Board NCLEX data when comparing RN outcomes across schools.
Overview & Why Students Choose Helena College
As part of the Montana University System, Helena College University of Montana trains nurses in Montana’s capital city—close to major hospitals, clinics, and state government health infrastructure. Nursing programs are limited-capacity and typically require prerequisite coursework, competitive application steps, and compliance with clinical requirements (immunizations, background checks, essential functions).
According to the Montana Board of Nursing registered nursing NCLEX pass rates per calendar year, Helena College’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 90.32% in 2024 (31 first-time test takers). The statewide Montana pass rate in the same table was 92.60% in 2024. Confirm newer calendar years with the Board and the college.
Reasons students choose Helena College
Capital-city clinical access
Helena anchors regional health services for central Montana; nursing students typically rotate through acute, community, and long-term settings as arranged by the program.
Official NCLEX reporting
The Montana Board publishes program-level first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates by calendar year, so you can compare Helena College to other Montana schools using the same methodology.
ACEN-accredited ADN
The Associate Degree in Nursing is listed as Accredited by ACEN with a recent commission action in September 2024—confirm details on the ACEN program directory and the college website.
Transparent MUS tuition schedule
Per-credit tuition and mandatory fees are published in the college’s annual tuition and fee schedule PDF, which helps estimate semester bills before you add program-specific costs.
Nursing Programs Offered
Helena College groups nursing under Health Sciences. Use the official Nursing Programs page and catalog for the exact credential titles, credit totals, and sequencing. The following reflects pathways the college publicly publishes for pre-licensure LPN and RN preparation.
Pre-licensure
Licensed Practical Nursing (Certificate of Applied Science)
Practical nursing prepares students to sit for NCLEX-PN. Curriculum is organized in semesters with nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, adult health, and maternal–child content as described in Helena College Health Sciences materials. Confirm start dates, prerequisites, and any CNA or entrance requirements with the nursing department.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), A.A.S.
The ADN pathway prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN. The program is ACEN-accredited per the ACEN directory (last updated January 2026). Expect selective admission after prerequisite courses, nursing theory and lab courses, and extensive clinical practicum.
Post-licensure
Helena College’s public nursing pages reviewed for this guide focus on pre-licensure LPN and ADN preparation. RN-to-BSN completion is not listed here; licensed RNs typically pursue online or university-based RN-BSN programs after licensure.
This institution is a two-year college. If your goal is a BSN without transferring, you will need a four-year institution; Montana University System transfer pathways vary by major—work with an advisor.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Montana Board of Nursing registered nursing NCLEX pass rates per calendar year, Helena College first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates and tester counts were:
- 2024: 90.32% (31 first-time test takers)
- 2023: 90.00% (30)
- 2022: 96.43% (28)
- 2021: 80.00% (30)
- 2020: 90.32% (31)
For context from the same Board report, the statewide Montana first-time pass rate was 92.60% in 2024 and 91.71% in 2023; the national rate was 91.16% in 2024. These are calendar-year aggregates, not fiscal-year cohort labels from the school.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (most recent in report) | 90.32% (2024 calendar year; 31 testers) — Helena College |
| NCLEX-PN (LPN) | For the most current program-level NCLEX-PN data, see the Montana Board of Nursing nursing resources and publications or ask the college for the latest disclosure. |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN pass rates (PDF). Confirm current calendar-year tables with the Board and Helena College. |
Pass rates change by cohort and calendar-year reporting window. Always confirm the latest figures with the Montana Board of Nursing and the school.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Montana’s nursing licensure process may require English proficiency, credential evaluation, and Board-specific documentation for internationally educated nurses. Helena College’s international-student policies for clinical programs can affect admission and placement—review the college’s admissions and international student materials.
- English-language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS or alternatives) and minimum scores for your program.
- Transcript / credential evaluation if required for admission or licensure.
- Montana Board of Nursing: NCLEX eligibility, background checks, and endorsement rules.
- Immigration & clinical sites: F-1 or other visa types may affect clinical placement availability.
This section is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify with Helena College admissions, international student services (if applicable), and the Montana Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Helena College nursing pathways are typically selective: you complete college-level prerequisites, meet minimum grades, and then apply to the professional nursing sequence. Exact GPA thresholds, entrance exams, and TEAS/HESI requirements can change by year—use the current nursing application packet and Health Sciences advising rather than unofficial summaries.
Application timeline
| Factor | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Program start | Varies by LPN vs ADN sequence | Confirm the next open cohort on the nursing page or with advising. |
| Prerequisites | College-level science and general-education courses | Compare your transcripts to the current catalog. |
| Published deadlines | Not summarized on this page | Use official admissions and nursing materials for exact dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Not publicly disclosed on the main nursing page—confirm with the program. |
| TEAS / HESI / other exam | Confirm whether an entrance exam is required and minimum scores for your cohort. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
2025–2026 tuition and fee schedule (PDF): Helena College’s approved schedule lists $124.97 per credit for Montana resident undergraduate tuition, plus building, technology, student government, wellness, and other fees that scale with credit load. Non-resident students pay additional non-resident tuition of $293.81 per credit for the undergraduate columns shown in the table, before fees.
Example (schedule table): At 12 credits, the PDF shows total resident charges of $2,238.39 for the line-item breakdown (tuition + fees + technology fees as listed). Your nursing semester may include course-specific supplies, uniforms, immunizations, background checks, and travel to clinicals—budget beyond tuition.
Also see Tuition & Fees for the web overview and links.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Resident tuition | $124.97 per credit (2025–2026 schedule PDF) |
| Non-resident tuition add-on | $293.81 per credit (2025–2026 schedule PDF) |
| Fees | Multiple per-credit and per-term fees (see PDF); $30 registration fee noted as non-refundable. |
| Source | 2025–2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule (PDF); Business Services 406-447-6921 per schedule. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX-RN: Use the Montana Board table cited above for first-time pass rates by calendar year. Job placement percentages for Helena College nursing are not stated on this page; ask the college for school-reported employment or transfer outcomes if available.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (2024) | 90.32% first-time pass rate, 31 testers (Montana Board PDF) |
| Employment / placement | Not publicly disclosed in the sources used for this guide—confirm with the college. |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN report |
Is Helena College the Right Fit for You?
Helena College fits students who want affordable MUS tuition, can meet selective nursing admission, and plan to live in or near Helena for coursework and clinical travel.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an LPN or ADN pathway at a public two-year college in Montana.
- Value official Board-reported NCLEX data when comparing schools.
- Can meet health-science requirements (immunizations, background checks, essential functions).
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a BSN or MSN at the same institution without transferring.
- Cannot travel to assigned clinical sites in the region.
- Expect guaranteed admission—nursing seats are typically competitive.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Helena is a regional healthcare hub for central Montana. Major acute providers include St. Peter’s Health (hospital and clinics) and Shodair Children’s Hospital, alongside community clinics, long-term care, rural health centers, and state public-health offices. Nursing students usually rotate through a mix of facilities as arranged by the program.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Helena & Lewis and Clark County | Hospital, specialty, and ambulatory care serving the capital region and surrounding counties. |
| Rural Montana | Critical-access hospitals and community clinics may host student experiences depending on contracts. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Helena College’s main campus is at 1115 N. Roberts Street, with Health Sciences programs using lab and simulation space appropriate to skills training. Expect nursing-specific policies (professional standards, uniform requirements, health documentation, CPR) and student support services typical of a commuter-focused two-year college.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus
- Helena, MT
- Address
- 1115 N. Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601, US
- Main telephone
- (406) 447-6900
- Admissions email
- admissions@helenacollege.edu
- Nursing (ACEN directory contact)
- Director of Nursing — verify current name, phone, and email on helenacollege.edu nursing (ACEN listed 406-447-6987 and sevda.raghib@helenacollege.edu as of January 2026—confirm before relying).
- Website
- helenacollege.edu
Official links
Your next steps checklist
- Open the Nursing Programs page and download the latest application instructions or handbook.
- Compare your transcripts to the current catalog prerequisites for LPN or ADN.
- Ask advising whether TEAS, HESI, or another exam applies to your cohort and any minimum scores.
- Estimate your bill using the tuition and fee schedule PDF for your credit load.
- Review Montana Board NCLEX-RN pass rates when comparing schools.
- Plan for uniforms, clinical travel, immunizations, and background checks required for clinical placement.
- Submit the FAFSA and ask Financial Aid about Helena College and Montana scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Helena College University of Montana offer?
The college publicly offers Practical Nursing (Certificate of Applied Science; NCLEX-PN) and an Associate Degree in Nursing (A.A.S.; NCLEX-RN). Confirm the latest catalog wording on helenacollege.edu.
What is the Helena College NCLEX-RN pass rate?
According to the Montana Board of Nursing calendar-year table, Helena College’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 90.32% in 2024 with 31 first-time test takers. Confirm newer years with the Board.
How does Helena College compare to the Montana average on NCLEX-RN?
From the same Board report, Montana’s overall first-time pass rate was 92.60% in 2024 versus Helena College’s 90.32% that year. Cohorts vary by year—use multi-year trends when comparing.
How much is tuition at Helena College?
The 2025–2026 tuition and fee schedule lists $124.97 per credit for resident undergraduate tuition plus mandatory fees; non-residents add $293.81 per credit before fees. Confirm your semester total with Business Services.
Is Helena College’s ADN program accredited?
The ACEN directory lists Helena College’s associate nursing program as Accredited with a recent commission action in September 2024. Confirm current status with ACEN and the college.
Does Helena College offer a BSN?
No—Helena College is a two-year institution. Students typically pursue RN licensure first, then transfer or enroll in an RN-to-BSN program at a four-year school.
Does Helena College nursing require the TEAS?
Entrance exam requirements can change. Confirm the current test (for example TEAS or HESI) and any cut scores with the nursing program or Health Sciences advising—not from third-party summaries.
Where do Helena College nursing students do clinicals?
Clinical placement depends on program contracts in Helena and the region; ask the nursing department for the current site list—do not assume a specific hospital without confirmation.
Can international students apply to Helena College nursing?
Verify F-1 eligibility, English proficiency, and clinical placement rules with the college and review Montana Board of Nursing licensure steps for your situation.
References
- Helena College — Nursing Programshelenacollege.edu/academics/programs/nursing/
- Helena College — Tuition & Fees (web)admissions_enrollment/tuitionfees.aspx
- Helena College — 2025–2026 Tuition and Fee Schedule (PDF)2025-26-tuition_fee-schedule.pdf
- Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX-RN pass rates (PDF)new_nclex_rn.pdf
- Montana Board of Nursing — Board siteboards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing/index
- ACEN — Helena College program directoryacenursing.org program listing
- National Council of State Boards of Nursingncsbn.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 Montana Board NCLEX-RN data, Helena College tuition and fee schedule sources, and ACEN directory entries for the ADN program.
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 Helena College and the Montana Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy