Montana State University College of Nursing Review (2026): Programs, Requirements & Outcomes
The Montana State University College of Nursing (publicly branded as the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing) delivers Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN (ABSN), MN, DNP, and graduate certificates across five Montana clinical campuses. First-time NCLEX-RN data below are taken from the Montana Board row MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING (calendar year 2024); tuition reflects MSU 2025–2026 catalog estimates—confirm all figures with the Board and the university.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Montana State University College of Nursing pairs a research-university home base in Bozeman with five statewide clinical sites, simulation and distance infrastructure, and programs aligned to Montana’s rural and community workforce needs—so many students can progress without leaving their region.
Overview & Why Students Choose MSU College of Nursing
The Montana State University College of Nursing—also presented publicly as the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing—is Montana State University’s statewide nursing unit. Pre-licensure students complete pre-nursing prerequisites, apply through NursingCAS, and—if admitted—are placed at one of five clinical campuses: Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Missoula. The college offers Traditional BSN and Accelerated BSN (ABSN) pathways, plus post-licensure graduate programs including the BSN-to-MN (Clinical Nurse Leadership), DNP (Family NP, Nurse-Midwifery, Psychiatric Mental Health NP), PMHNP certificate, and an online graduate certificate in nursing education—per the MSU academic catalog.
Public-facing materials emphasize rural nursing research and responsiveness to Montana’s health needs. Graduate nursing courses use distance delivery with synchronous video and periodic travel to Bozeman or other sites depending on the program.
The 91.60% figure is taken from the row label in the Montana Board’s calendar-year table—“MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING”—not a separate published line for each clinical campus. In 2024 that row shows 369 first-time testers at 91.60% first-time; the same report lists Montana’s overall first-time pass rate as 92.60%. Confirm the latest year, label text, and Board methodology in the published PDF.
Reasons students choose Montana State University College of Nursing
Statewide clinical footprint
One college places BSN students across five Montana communities, supporting students who want to stay in-region for upper-division coursework and clinical immersion.
Accelerated second-degree option
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—a 12-month nursing sequence after prerequisites for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, with the same statewide campus placement model as the Traditional BSN.
Graduate nursing at a distance
Master of Nursing and DNP programs combine online and synchronous distance formats; the MN program limits applicants to several western states per MSU’s published graduate pages.
Accreditation transparency
The MSU catalog states CCNE accreditation for baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP programs, and notes ACME pre-accreditation for nurse-midwifery through February 28, 2029.
Nursing Programs Offered
List below follows the MSU catalog — Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing and graduate nursing pages. MSU uses Master of Nursing (MN) labeling for the CNL-oriented master’s program (not “MSN” on the catalog pages reviewed).
Pre-licensure
Traditional BSN
For students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree: pre-nursing coursework, competitive admission to the nursing major, then placement at one of five campuses.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
For applicants who already hold a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field: prerequisites, then a 12-month accelerated nursing sequence; campus placement after admission.
Post-licensure & graduate
BSN to MN (Clinical Nurse Leadership)
Distance-delivered MN preparing graduates for CNL certification exam eligibility; state residency restrictions apply—see MSU graduate nursing pages.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Tracks listed in the catalog include Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner across the lifespan.
PMHNP certificate & Nursing Education certificate
Post-graduate PMHNP certificate and online graduate certificate in nursing education listed in the catalog overview—confirm availability with the college.
MSU distinguishes admission to the nursing major (holistic review through NursingCAS) from placement at a specific campus. Read the college’s published undergraduate policy for waitlist and transfer rules.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Montana Board of Nursing Registered Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates per Calendar Year document, the 2024 table row labeled “MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING” shows a 91.60% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate with 369 first-time test takers. That label is how the Board reports the program in the state table—it does not imply an identical pass rate for every Jones College clinical campus listed separately elsewhere in MSU materials. In the same document, Montana’s statewide first-time pass rate was 92.60% in 2024 and the national figure was 91.16%—allowing a fair, same-report comparison. The Board PDF reviewed for this page listed calendar-year columns through 2024; when the Board publishes a 2025 column, use that file for the next cohort.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (MT BON table row: MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING) | 91.60% (calendar year 2024; 369 first-time test takers) |
| Montana statewide (same report) | 92.60% first-time (2024) |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates PDF. Confirm current tables with the Montana Board of Nursing and the college. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by cohort. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with the Montana Board of Nursing and Montana State University College of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Institutional and Board requirements change frequently. Use the checklist below as a starting point; verify every item with MSU’s Graduate School, International Programs (as applicable), and the Montana Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: Follow MSU Graduate School English proficiency policies for graduate nursing; undergraduates should confirm any ESL thresholds with admissions.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: NursingCAS processes transcripts for undergraduate applicants; graduate applicants should follow MSU Graduate School transcript requirements.
- Montana Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, use Board guidance on eligibility, background checks, and NCLEX registration.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical attendance and distance-education requirements may interact with visa status—confirm with MSU International Programs and your program director.
This section is guidance only—not legal or immigration advice.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Undergraduate nursing uses NursingCAS. The college’s published Application, Admissions, and Placement Policy states a minimum 3.0 calculated GPA in listed nursing prerequisite courses, grades of C minus or better in each prerequisite, limits on repeats, and—beginning fall 2023—holistic admission review. Placement at a campus is a second, competitive process after admission.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadlines / entry | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN | Applications open twice yearly with fall and spring starts (see college placement page) | Use NursingCAS; confirm current dates on Traditional BSN application timelines. |
| Accelerated BSN | Applications once yearly; fall admission | See ABSN application timelines. |
| BSN to MN | Continuous application; semester start deadlines (Jul 1 / Dec 1 / Apr 1) | Per MSU graduate nursing page; state residency rules apply. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite GPA (undergraduate) | 3.0 minimum in listed prerequisites (college policy) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed in the undergraduate policy text summarized on this page; confirm for your cycle on NursingCAS and the college’s application pages. |
| Graduate MN | 3.0 GPA preferred; RN licensure; additional requirements on the graduate page. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The MSU Academic Catalog — Expenses publishes 2025/2026 estimated cost-of-attendance tables. Nursing students pay additional nursing program fees (see catalog “Special Fees” and nursing program disclosures). Figures below are estimates, not an invoice.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition & fees (full-time, fall + spring) | Resident $8,946 / academic year; nonresident $33,782 (2025/2026 estimated expenses table) |
| Graduate tuition & fees (7 credits/semester basis, fall + spring) | Resident $6,542 / academic year; nonresident $21,098 (same catalog section) |
| Nursing program fee | Catalog fee schedule lists $200 under nursing student charges (confirm per-semester billing with Student Accounts). |
| Source | catalog.montana.edu/expenses; MSU tuition fee charts. Confirm current amounts with the university. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCLEX-RN performance is summarized in the NCLEX section using Montana Board of Nursing calendar-year data. For employment or salary claims not reproduced here, see MSU consumer information or career services pages and confirm methodology.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 91.60% (2024; MT BON PDF row MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING—not per-campus) |
| Job placement / salary | Not reproduced on this page; confirm with MSU outcomes disclosures if published. |
| Source | Montana Board of Nursing NCLEX table |
Is Montana State University College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
MSU fits students who want a public university nursing degree with statewide campus options and a research mission tied to rural and frontier practice. It may be less ideal if you need a single guaranteed metro hospital placement before enrollment, or if you live outside the states eligible for the distance MN program.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want to study nursing within Montana’s public university system with multiple community-based clinical sites.
- Are second-degree seekers targeting a one-year ABSN after prerequisites.
- Plan graduate nursing study with distance delivery and occasional Bozeman travel.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot relocate or commute to assigned campus placements across the state.
- Expect a published overall “acceptance rate” for nursing—MSU uses holistic review and does not publish a simple rate in the sources cited here.
- Need RN-to-BSN completion specifically through this college—the catalog excerpt reviewed here centers on pre-licensure BSN/ABSN and graduate nursing; RN-to-BSN in the Montana University System is published separately (for example at MSU Billings)—confirm your pathway with an advisor.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Clinical learning is distributed across Montana. Examples of major systems students may encounter include Bozeman Health, Billings Clinic, Logan Health (northwest Montana), Providence and Community Medical Center affiliates in Missoula, and regional critical-access hospitals serving frontier communities. Exact contracts rotate—confirm active affiliations with the college’s clinical education office.
| Region / example | Details |
|---|---|
| Gallatin Valley (Bozeman) | Growing community with hospital and outpatient networks; supports the Bozeman campus site. |
| Yellowstone County (Billings) | Largest city in Montana; Billings campus clinical partnerships serve high-acuity and community settings. |
| Rural & frontier | MSU emphasizes rural health—students should expect rotations that include smaller hospitals and community clinics. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
College administration and Bozeman faculty are housed in Anna Pearl Sherrick Hall on the MSU campus. The catalog notes nursing-specific fees supporting simulation labs, distance-education infrastructure, and clinical supervision travel. Student organizations and events vary by campus—check MSU nursing social channels and the student affairs office for the site you attend.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Bozeman, MT
- Address
- Anna Pearl Sherrick Hall, P.O. Box 173560, Bozeman, MT 59717-3560, US
- Telephone
- 406-994-3783 (college main)
- nursing@montana.edu
- Website
- Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Open a NursingCAS account and download MSU’s prerequisite list for your pathway (Traditional vs ABSN).
- Read the college’s undergraduate admissions and placement policy end-to-end.
- Compare the Montana Board NCLEX PDF to MSU consumer disclosures for the same reporting year.
- Estimate net cost using the 2025/2026 MSU expense tables plus nursing fees.
- Contact a College of Nursing advisor if you are a transfer student with prior nursing coursework.
- Graduate applicants: confirm MN state-eligibility rules before applying.
- Bookmark the Montana Board NCLEX table for future updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does Montana publish for MSU Bozeman College of Nursing?
In the Montana Board’s Registered Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates per Calendar Year PDF, the 2024 column for the row MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING shows 91.60% with 369 first-time test takers; Montana’s overall first-time rate in the same document was 92.60%. Confirm the latest PDF with the Board.
Is Montana State University College of Nursing the same as the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing?
Yes. MSU’s nursing school is branded as the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing; this page title matches common catalog and board wording. Official information is at montana.edu/nursing.
What tuition and fees does MSU publish for 2025–2026?
The MSU catalog Estimated Expenses section lists undergraduate resident tuition and fees of $8,946 per academic year and nonresident $33,782 (full-time, fall and spring). Graduate figures on a 7 credits/semester basis are $6,542 resident and $21,098 nonresident. Nursing students pay additional program fees—confirm with Student Accounts.
Which campuses does MSU College of Nursing use for Traditional BSN and ABSN?
Admitted students are placed at one of five campuses: Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Kalispell, or Missoula—per the MSU catalog. Placement is separate from admission.
What prerequisite GPA does Montana State University College of Nursing require?
The published undergraduate policy requires a 3.0 calculated GPA in listed prerequisite courses, with minimum grades of C minus in each prerequisite.
Are MSU’s BSN and DNP programs CCNE-accredited?
The MSU catalog states CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate, master’s, and DNP nursing programs. Confirm status with CCNE and the college.
Does Montana State University College of Nursing require TEAS for pre-licensure applicants?
The undergraduate policy text summarized on this page does not list TEAS; admission uses NursingCAS and holistic review. Confirm testing requirements for your application cycle on the college’s BSN pages.
Who may apply to MSU’s BSN-to-MN program?
MSU states applicants must be physically located in MT, UT, WY, ID, CO, or AK and meet RN licensure and GPA expectations—see the graduate nursing page.
References
- Montana State University College of Nursing (Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing)montana.edu/nursing
- MSU Academic Catalog — undergraduate nursingcatalog.montana.edu/undergraduate/nursing
- MSU — Undergraduate application, admissions and placement policymontana.edu/nursing/facstaff/undergraduate_application_admissions_and_placement_policy.html
- MSU Academic Catalog — Expenses (2025/2026)catalog.montana.edu/expenses
- Montana Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (PDF)boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/_docs/nur/new_nclex_rn.pdf
- Montana Board of Nursing — board homeboards.bsd.dli.mt.gov/nursing
- MSU — Graduate nursing (MN)montana.edu/nursing/graduate
- 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 Montana Board NCLEX table alignment (MSU BOZEMAN COLLEGE OF NURSING row), tuition figures against the MSU 2025/2026 expense tables, and program scope against the MSU undergraduate and graduate nursing catalogs.
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 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy