Montana State University Billings Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
City College at MSU Billings offers Practical Nursing and an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN); the university campus offers RN-to-BSN completion. NCLEX-RN outcomes below cite the Montana Board of Nursing; tuition snapshots cite MSU Billings cost-of-attendance materials.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Nursing at MSU Billings spans City Collegeās distance-friendly Practical Nursing pathway and ASN programāserving Montanaās largest trade area from Billingsāplus an online RN-to-BSN completion track and an optional Nursing 2+1 path that lets ASN students begin RN-to-BSN coursework before licensure where allowed.
Overview & Why Students Choose MSU Billings
Billings anchors healthcare for much of eastern Montana and northern Wyoming, so City College nursing students often train near major hospitals and community providers while completing programs that blend online coursework with scheduled on-campus labs. MSU Billings is a regional public university: pre-licensure nursing (LPN and ASN) is delivered through City College, while RN-to-BSN completion sits in the College of Health Professions and Science on the university side.
Students who want a traditional four-year BSN straight through typically pursue MSUās Pre-Professional Nursing curriculum in Billings and then apply competitively to Montana State Universityās BSN in Bozemanānot a Billings-based BSN. Always confirm pathway details with advisors.
According to the Montana Board of Nursing registered nursing NCLEX pass rates (calendar year), City College of MSU Billings had a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89.19% in 2024 (37 first-time test takers). Montanaās overall first-time pass rate in the same report was 92.60% and the national rate was 91.16%. Confirm the latest cohort with the Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN report and the school.
Reasons students choose MSU Billings
Stacked pathways
Progress from Practical Nursing to ASN, or pair ASN with the optional Nursing 2+1 track toward RN-to-BSN coursework while still in the associate program (NCLEX-RN must be passed before RN-to-BSN graduation, per program policy).
Regional clinical access
City College highlights clinical placement in the studentās home area for distance programs and publishes examples of Billings-area employers hiring graduatesāuseful if you plan to stay in the Yellowstone Valley.
Accredited ASN program
The ASN program lists continuing accreditation through NLN CNEA and approval by the Montana State Board of Nursingāverify status before you apply.
Working-RN friendly BSN
RN-to-BSN is built as mostly online coursework with community-based mentored hoursāaligned with employed RNs balancing shift work.
Nursing Programs Offered
MSU Billings separates pre-licensure nursing at City College from post-licensure RN-to-BSN on the university campus. The following align with the official nursing degree overview and linked program pages.
Pre-licensure (City College)
Practical Nursing (LPN)
Certificate pathway (about 40 credits) with a competitive entry after prerequisites; described as online distance delivery for Montana students with clinicals in the studentās area and required lab days on the City College campus. Prepares for NCLEX-PN.
Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
Approximately five semesters minimum after prerequisites; 72 credits total including general education and nursing courses. Prepares for NCLEX-RN. Competitive points-based admission; Kaplan testing is used for the application (see program documents).
Post-licensure
RN to BSN Degree Completion
About 49 credits, three semesters of online courses plus two courses with mentored clinical hours in the studentās community; rolling admission. Students must pass NCLEX-RN before RN-to-BSN graduation.
Transfer pathway (not a nursing degree at Billings)
Pre-Professional Nursing on the university campus builds prerequisites to apply to Montana State Universityās traditional BSN in Bozeman. It is not a nursing major that awards RN licensure by itselfāplan with the pre-nursing advisor.
MSU Billings does not list a standalone four-year pre-licensure BSN on the Billings campus; that degree is offered through MSU Bozeman after transfer. Confirm current program names, delivery, and approval status on the official City College and CHPS pages.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Montana Board of Nursing Registered Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates per Calendar Year report, City College of MSU Billings had a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 89.19% in 2024 with 37 first-time test takers. The same document lists Montanaās aggregate first-time pass rate at 92.60% and the national rate at 91.16% for 2024āuse those figures only as high-level context from that report.
For NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing), look for the Boardās practical/vocational nursing pass-rate tables if published separately; this page focuses on the RN data file cited below.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate (2024) | 89.19% ā City College of MSU Billings (37 first-time test takers) |
| Montana aggregate (2024, same report) | 92.60% first-time pass rate (689 first-time test takers statewide) |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing ā NCLEX-RN pass rates (PDF). Confirm current cohort data with the Board and City College nursing. |
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
City College states the Practical Nursing distance program is for Montana students with in-state clinical placement; international applicants should confirm whether their situation meets program rules. RN-to-BSN applicants must already hold U.S. RN licensureāinternationally educated nurses typically need Montana Board review of credentials before or alongside enrollment.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum scores and accepted exams for MSU Billings admissionsāconfirm with the admissions or international office.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow MSU Billings requirements for foreign transcripts; nursing licensure candidates may also need Board-approved evaluations.
- Montana Board of Nursing: For licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm NCLEX eligibility, background checks, and documentation with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Ask whether your visa status supports clinical placements and distance/on-campus attendance for your pathway.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Verify policies with MSU Billings and the Montana Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
City College nursing programs use competitive admission after prerequisite coursework. The ASN pathway publishes a points-based selection process and references Kaplan admission testing materialsānot the TEASāon the Registered Nursing program page. Download the current application packet for essay prompts, point criteria, and any GPA rules the program applies to prerequisite courses.
Application timeline (ASN)
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | May 29, 2026 | Listed on the RN program page; confirm when applications open. |
| Spring 2027 | August 2026 (approx.) | Page notes applications not yet open as of publicationāverify dates. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Use the published points criteria and GPA calculation forms; confirm thresholds for your cycle. |
| Kaplan / TEAS | Kaplan materials referenced for ASN admission; TEAS not indicated on the RN pageāverify on the official test information PDF. |
| RN to BSN | Requires active RN license; rolling admissionāsee CHPS nursing pages. |
Applicant tips
Complete City College admission first, finish prerequisites with strong grades, and assemble the essay and documentation exactly as the Fall/Spring packet specifies. If you are comparing ASN to transferring for a Bozeman BSN, meet separately with City College nursing advisors and the pre-nursing advisorāthose pathways have different prerequisites and timelines.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The figures below come from the MSU Billings Cost of Attendance PDF for City College (2024ā2025 academic-year budgets) and the 2025ā2026 catalog fee descriptions. City College uses semester tuition bands; students paying for 12 credits may take additional credits in the same semester without extra tuition (āflat spotā) per catalog languageāconfirm each term with Student Accounts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| City College ā Montana resident, on campus, 12+ credits / semester | Tuition & fees $4,840 per semester (2024ā2025 COA table) |
| City College ā WUE, on campus, 12+ credits / semester | Tuition & fees $6,360 per semester (same COA document) |
| City College ā Nonresident, on campus, 12+ credits / semester | Tuition & fees $10,770 per semester (same COA document) |
| University campus ā online-only budget (MT resident example, 12+ cr) | Tuition & fees $4,270 per semester in the 2024ā2025 COA excerpt (online-only row)āuse for RN-to-BSN planning only if your fee category matches. |
| Source | Cost of Attendance ā City College (PDF); Catalog: City College tuition & fees; Business Services. Confirm current semester charges with Student Accounts (406-247-3002 City College; 406-657-2140 university). |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome metrics should always be read with the reporting year and methodology. The NCLEX-RN figures below match the Montana Board of Nursing PDF cited in this guide.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 89.19% (2024, City College of MSU Billings; 37 first-time testers) per Montana Board of Nursing report |
| Entry-level wage (City College RN example) | MSU Billings cites BLS / MT Dept. of Labor projection data on the RN program page for illustrationāconfirm on the live page; not a placement percentage. |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN rates; City College RN program. Confirm current outcomes with the school and Board. |
Is MSU Billings the Right Fit for You?
Use this quick screen alongside conversations with advisorsāespecially if you are weighing ASN at City College versus transferring to Bozeman for a traditional BSN.
ā Good fit for students whoā
- Want an ASN or LPN pathway in Billings with connections to regional employers.
- Are Montana residents seeking Practical Nursingās distance format with periodic campus labs.
- Are licensed RNs needing an online RN-to-BSN with local mentored experiences.
- Plan to use the Nursing 2+1 option to overlap RN-to-BSN coursework carefully while completing ASN.
ā May not be ideal for students whoā
- Expect a single-campus, four-year pre-licensure BSN in Billings (that route goes through Bozeman after prerequisites).
- Need a fully out-of-state Practical Nursing clinical planāCity Collegeās PN pathway is Montana-focused.
- Prefer a program that publishes a single, simple āacceptance rateā for nursing (not publicly disclosed here).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Billings is Montanaās largest city and a referral hub for a vast rural region. MSU Billingsā RN program page lists employers where recent City College graduates have workedāuseful for understanding the local market even though clinical rotations vary by semester.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Billings Clinic | Large multi-specialty group; named among example employers for graduates. |
| St. Vincent Healthcare | Major Billings hospital; listed among graduate employer examples. |
| RiverStone Health | Public health and clinical services; listed among regional employers. |
| Rural & regional employers | Examples extend to Helena, Bozeman, Hardin, Red Lodge, and out-of-stateāsee the RN program employment list for the full illustrative set. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
City College nursing students use the Tech Building on Central Avenue for advising and many services, with lab-intensive days scheduled for distance Practical Nursing and ASN students per program design. The university campus on University Drive hosts RN-to-BSN coursework and student support offices. Student handbooks and simulation policies published on the program pages describe lab conduct and safety expectationsāreview the current PDFs before you start.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main campus
- Billings, MT
- University address
- 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101, US
- City College
- 3803 Central Avenue, Billings, MT 59102 (Tech Building)
- Telephone
- Main: (406) 657-2140 (Student Accounts)
- City College nursing
- (406) 247-3000
- Website
- msubillings.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the MSU Billings nursing overview and open the ASN application PDF for your target semester.
- Compare your transcripts to the ASN prerequisite course list in the catalog.
- Review Kaplan admission testing information (not TEAS) on the City College RN documents page.
- Call City College nursing at (406) 247-3000 if you need Practical Nursing versus ASN clarification.
- If you are an RN, request RN-to-BSN program details from CHPS and confirm license status.
- Bookmark the Montana Board NCLEX-RN PDF for outcome tracking.
- Add the published application deadline (e.g., Fall 2026 May 29, 2026) to your calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Montana State University Billings offer a traditional four-year BSN on campus?
MSU Billings delivers pre-licensure nursing at City College as Practical Nursing and ASN. Pre-Professional Nursing at MSU Billings feeds prerequisites for MSU Bozeman traditional BSN. RN-to-BSN is for licensed RNs. Confirm pathways on official pages.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for City College of MSU Billings?
According to the Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN pass rates (calendar year), City College of MSU Billings reported an 89.19% first-time pass rate in 2024 (37 first-time test takers). Confirm the latest cohort with the Board and the school.
Does MSU Billings nursing require the TEAS exam?
City College ASN materials reference Kaplan for the competitive applicationānot the TEAS. Verify the current exam in the official RN application packet.
What is the application deadline for the MSU Billings ASN program?
The RN program page listed Fall 2026 with a May 29, 2026 deadline and Spring 2027 applications opening around August 2026. Deadlines changeācheck the live page.
How much is tuition for City College at MSU Billings?
The 2024-2025 Cost of Attendance PDF lists Montana resident tuition and fees of $4,840 per semester for 12 or more credits on campus. WUE and nonresident amounts are higher. Confirm the active semester on the Business Office site.
Is the MSU Billings ASN program accredited?
The program cites continuing NLN CNEA accreditation and Montana State Board of Nursing approval. The institution is NWCCU-accredited. Confirm with official disclosures.
What hospitals do MSU Billings nursing students use for clinicals?
Examples on the RN page include Billings Clinic, St. Vincent, and RiverStone Health among employers of graduates; clinical assignments vary. Confirm with the program.
What is the Nursing 2+1 option at MSU Billings?
It allows ASN students who are admitted to RN-to-BSN to take selected BSN courses during the ASN; NCLEX-RN must be passed before RN-to-BSN graduation.
Is the Practical Nursing program at MSU Billings online?
MSU Billings describes it as an online distance program for Montana students with required lab days on campus and local clinical placement. Confirm with City College nursing.
References
- MSU Billings ā Nursing degrees overviewmsubillings.edu/nursing
- City College ā Registered Nursing (ASN)ProgRN.htm
- Montana Board of Nursing ā NCLEX-RN pass rates (PDF)boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov
- MSU Billings ā Cost of Attendance, City College (PDF)Prior-COA-CityCollege.pdf
- Catalog ā City College tuition and feescatalog.msubillings.edu
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ā 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 alignment with Montana Board of Nursing pass-rate reports, program accreditation statements, and City College nursing admissions materials.
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: March 27, 2026 Ā· Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 Ā· Medical Review Process Ā· Editorial Policy