Case Western Reserve University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing: What to Know for Applicants (2026)
Frances Payne Bolton (FPB) sits on the Health Education Campus in University Circle, Cleveland. This guide summarizes verified pathways—traditional BSN, graduate-entry MN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and dual DNP/PhD—using the school’s dashboard for NCLEX and CWRU tuition pages for cost context. Confirm every figure with Case Western Reserve and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
FPB anchors interprofessional nursing education on the Health Education Campus adjacent to Cleveland Clinic, with longitudinal clinical partnerships across University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the VA Northeast Ohio system—so students routinely train where complex care concentrates in Ohio.
Overview & Why Students Choose Frances Payne Bolton
Located on the Health Education Campus at 9501 Euclid Avenue in Cleveland’s University Circle, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing positions nursing students beside Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System—ideal for learners who want early, sustained clinical immersion. Pathways span a four-year BSN with nursing coursework beginning in the first semester, a 20-month graduate-entry Master of Nursing (MN) for career changers, and advanced-practice and leadership education through MSN, DNP, PhD, and dual DNP/PhD options.
FPB highlights interprofessional education with medicine, dentistry, social work, and physician assistant students; extensive simulation resources; and more than 1,000 clinical hours in pre-licensure programs (per school materials). Those outcomes, partnerships, and Cleveland’s referral-center medicine define why applicants shortlist this school.
The School of Nursing dashboard (updated February 2026) lists 2024 first-time NCLEX pass rates of 95% for BSN and 93.1% for MN. Also consult the Ohio Board of Nursing for public regulatory reporting and the latest program-level tables.
Reasons students choose Frances Payne Bolton
Cleveland academic medical ecosystem
Clinical learning happens inside and next door to Cleveland Clinic’s main campus plus University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the VA Northeast Ohio system—settings where faculty cite high-acuity and high-volume nursing experiences.
BSN with leadership and informatics baked in
FPB emphasizes Marian K. Shaughnessy Nurse Leadership Academy programming, perioperative and informatics strands in the BSN curriculum, and 1,000+ clinical hours—more than many national averages referenced on the school site.
MN with an MSN head start
Graduate-entry MN students are dually admitted to MSN study and receive a 15-credit head start toward APRN preparation while completing RN licensure requirements.
Breadth of APRN majors
MSN majors cover adult acute and primary care, family care, psychiatric mental health, neonatal, midwifery, pediatrics, women’s health, nurse leadership, and flight-nursing specialization options.
Research-intensive culture
Faculty-led centers (symptom science, aging, SMART, flight nursing) expose undergraduates and graduates to evidence-generating projects on a campus with strong NSF research expenditure growth.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list mirrors the official “Our Programs” index at Frances Payne Bolton. There is no separate RN-to-BSN completion track advertised on that index; licensed RNs typically enter MSN or DNP pathways instead.
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Four-year baccalaureate nursing for undergraduates admitted to Case Western Reserve; nursing courses begin semester one, clinical exposure begins early, and FPB cites 1,000+ clinical hours. Applications route through the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Master of Nursing (MN)
Full-time, roughly 20-month graduate-entry program for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor degree. Leads to RN eligibility via NCLEX; students begin clinical experiences from the first day of class and may continue into MSN coursework.
Post-licensure & APRN (MSN)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Offers adult-gerontology acute and primary care NP, family NP, psychiatric mental health NP, neonatal NP, pediatric primary and acute care NP, nurse midwifery, nurse leadership, women’s health NP, and flight-nursing specialty options. Many courses use intensive or web-based formats; post-master’s certificates align with MSN majors.
Post-master’s nursing certificates
FPB advertises certificates for every MSN/APRN major to help master’s-prepared nurses add specialties without repeating an entire degree.
Doctoral & research
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Practice-focused doctorate with post-baccalaureate and post-master entry tracks. Nurse anesthesia is housed within the DNP structure with tuition tables separated on Student Financial Services.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD)
Research doctorate administered through the CWRU School of Graduate Studies; includes options for DNP-prepared applicants.
Dual Doctorate (DNP/PhD)
Applicants must apply separately to both DNP and PhD programs and flag dual interest inside the application.
CCNE accredits FPB graduate and undergraduate nursing programs as described on consumer pages; nurse anesthesia tracks typically hold additional COA oversight—confirm every program’s current status on the university accredited programs list and with CCNE/COA directly.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing dashboard (updated February 2026), the 2024 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 95% for the BSN program and 93.1% for the graduate-entry Master of Nursing (MN) program. The dashboard does not publish cohort sizes alongside those percentages, so treat them as school-reported summaries rather than board-certified tables.
For statewide context, the Ohio Board of Nursing’s calendar-year 2024 NCLEX-RN memorandum cites an Ohio average first-time pass rate of 89.55% among Ohio-educated candidates and a national average of 91.16% for the same calendar year. Individual program rows are easiest to verify through the Board’s published pass-rate materials.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN first-time NCLEX-RN (2024) | 95% (school-reported on FPB dashboard, updated Feb 2026) |
| MN first-time NCLEX-RN (2024) | 93.1% (school-reported on FPB dashboard, updated Feb 2026) |
| Ohio average first-time NCLEX-RN (calendar 2024) | 89.55% (Ohio Board of Nursing 2024 pass rate report) |
| Source | FPB School of Nursing Dashboard; Ohio BON 2024 Pass Rate Report (PDF). Confirm the latest cohort-specific rates with the Ohio Board of Nursing and Case Western Reserve. |
NCLEX outcomes change every cohort. Use the Ohio Board of Nursing for regulatory statistics and FPB consumer pages for school disclosures; do not assume percentages transfer across programs (BSN vs MN vs any future track).
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by pathway. Frances Payne Bolton publishes a dedicated international admissions page that notes IELTS scores must arrive on official mailed transcripts (online IELTS submissions are not accepted for FPB). Treat the bullets below as guidance only—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm which exams (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, etc.) and minimums apply to your intended program.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow CWRU graduate or undergraduate admissions instructions for foreign coursework; CGFNS or other board-required steps may still apply for NCLEX eligibility.
- Ohio Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm documentation, English proficiency, and timeline expectations with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical compliance, background checks, and CPT/OPT rules can affect enrollment—coordinate with the international student office and FPB admissions.
Policies change frequently. Verify every requirement with Frances Payne Bolton admissions and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Bachelor of Science in Nursing: Applicants apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admission. FPB promotes direct admission with no secondary nursing application and no pre-nursing year—students begin nursing courses immediately.
Graduate pathways (MN, MSN, DNP, PhD, dual): Each route has distinct prerequisites—MN expects a completed non-nursing bachelor degree and specific science coursework; MSN/DNP/PhD requirements vary by specialty and entry option (RN vs APRN vs non-nurse). Consult the pathway-specific pages linked from How to Apply.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN (first-year) | Varies by admissions cycle | Use the Common Application or Coalition requirements published by Undergraduate Admission; nursing does not add a second application per FPB. |
| MN / MSN / DNP / PhD | Program-specific | Attend a graduate information session for rolling or term-based deadlines. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA / prerequisites | Pathway-specific; confirm on MN or UG admission pages |
| TEAS / HESI | Not publicly disclosed on the short program summaries reviewed here—confirm with Undergraduate Admission (BSN) or FPB admissions (graduate) |
| Contacts | admissionsfpb@case.edu · 216-368-1794 (per How to Apply) |
Honest applicant tips
Because Cleveland clinical partners are flagship systems, expect competitive academics and professionalism standards. Second-degree MN candidates should document science readiness; BSN applicants should highlight leadership and service aligned with FPB’s civic-engagement expectations. Reach out early to recruitment staff named on the How to Apply page for portfolio questions.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Private research universities bill differently by cohort year and school. The figures below come directly from Case Western Reserve’s published tuition tables as of this review; housing and indirect costs are estimates in financial aid budgets.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate nursing (AY 2026–27, new entrants) | $2,976 per credit; $35,705 max per fall/spring term; $71,410 combined fall + spring tuition cap before nursing-major fees such as lab, Elsevier, ACEMAPP, background check, CPR, etc. (Student Financial Services, undergraduate table) |
| Undergraduate nursing (AY 2025–26 reference) | Many continuing cohorts list about $73,986 fall+spring tuition & general fees before nursing add-ons (~$1,366 nursing fees for some cohorts) |
| First-year residential budget (financial aid overview) | Financial Aid cites ~$80,364 total residential cost with ~$71,410 tuition for the 2026–27 sample budget plus ~$1,450 additional nursing fees—confirm housing assumptions. |
| Graduate FPB examples (AY 2025–26) | MSN $2,377/credit; MN ~$55,920 tuition for 12+ credits each semester plus clinical fees; DNP $2,497/credit; nurse anesthesia DNP mirrors DNP rate with lab/NSEE fees (see FPB tuition page) |
| Source | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees; Frances Payne Bolton Tuition & Fees; Undergraduate Cost of Attendance. Confirm bill totals with Student Financial Services. |
FPB notes MN scholarships in program marketing; graduate students should review graduate cost guidance and talk with Daniel Cohen, Director of Financial Aid (listed on the How to Apply page).
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Cleveland’s academic medical sector creates strong employer demand, but always verify employment figures using school disclosures rather than assumptions.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (BSN / MN) | 95% BSN; 93.1% MN for 2024 first-time testers (FPB dashboard, Feb 2026 update) |
| APRN certification (examples) | Dashboard lists program-level certification pass snapshots for 2023–2024 (individual NP tracks vary; nurse-midwifery is labeled with a full pass for the 2024 cohort on the same page). Confirm methodology before benchmarking nationally. |
| Nurse anesthesia DNP (2024, school-reported) | FPB cohort 85%; Cleveland Clinic Foundation cohort 95%—both labeled on the dashboard with program-specific context. |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed on the pages cited here; see CWRU post-grad outcomes for institution-level surveys. |
| Source | FPB dashboard; confirm with the school and Ohio Board of Nursing. |
Is Frances Payne Bolton the Right Fit for You?
Frances Payne Bolton rewards students who thrive in fast-paced academic medical environments, tolerate premium tuition, and want interprofessional exposure from day one.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want BSN or MN clinical immersion beside Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, MetroHealth, and the VA Northeast Ohio system.
- Value nurse leadership academies, simulation-heavy skills labs, and research mentorship embedded in a private R1 university.
- Plan to continue into APRN education and appreciate MN pathways that stack MSN credits early.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest-cost public in-state pathway; CWRU’s published budgets are among the highest nationally.
- Prefer fully online pre-licensure nursing or small rural cohorts away from urban tertiary care.
- Expect a part-time evening MN track—FPB markets the MN as full-time and in-person on the Health Education Campus.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
University Circle concentrates advanced specialty care, research funding, and simulation-forward education within a few blocks. That density supports complex clinical rotations, networking with nurse leaders, and exposure to population health challenges across Northeast Ohio.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Cleveland Clinic | Main campus neighbors the Health Education Campus; FPB cites it for high-volume procedural and specialty learning. |
| University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center | Flagship academic partner of Case Western Reserve with extensive research and specialty services. |
| MetroHealth Medical Center | Regional Level I trauma and safety-net hospital offering varied community health experiences. |
| VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System | Federal system emphasizing chronic disease, mental health, and veteran-specific competencies. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
FPB’s Sheila & Eric Samson Pavilion on the Health Education Campus houses clinical skills labs, virtual simulation, critical care transport simulation, and classrooms shared with medical and dental learners. Nursing students participate in civic-engagement capstones, Sigma Theta Tau activities, and volunteer opportunities such as the student-run clinic highlighted on FPB marketing pages. University Circle adds museums, Case’s main campus shuttle links, and RTA access billed through student fees.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Cleveland, OH
- Address
- 9501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, US
- Telephone
- 216-368-1794 (FPB admissions, per How to Apply)
- Contact email
- admissionsfpb@case.edu
- Website
- case.edu/nursing
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing website and download the BSN brochure or MN one-pager referenced on program pages.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frances Payne Bolton a good nursing school?
Frances Payne Bolton is widely recognized for research-intensive nursing education in Cleveland, with CCNE-accredited nursing programs and strong hospital partnerships. The school publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates on its dashboard (for example, BSN 95% and MN 93.1% for 2024). Confirm rankings, accreditation, and newer cohorts with CWRU and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Frances Payne Bolton BSN and MN programs?
According to the School of Nursing dashboard updated February 2026, the 2024 first-time NCLEX pass rate was 95% for the BSN program and 93.1% for the Master of Nursing (MN) graduate-entry program. Confirm the latest school-reported figures on the dashboard and cross-check official program-level data with the Ohio Board of Nursing when published.
Does Case Western Reserve offer an accelerated BSN or second-degree nursing program?
Case Western Reserve does not use a traditional ABSN label on its programs list. Second-degree applicants typically pursue the full-time Master of Nursing (MN) graduate-entry program, which leads to RN licensure after NCLEX. The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing admits first-year undergraduates with nursing coursework from semester one. Verify labels and prerequisites on case.edu/nursing/programs.
What MSN majors does Frances Payne Bolton offer?
FPB lists MSN majors including adult-gerontology acute and primary care nurse practitioner, family NP, psychiatric mental health NP, neonatal NP, nurse midwifery, nurse leadership, womens health NP, and pediatric primary and acute care NP, plus an acute care flight nursing specialty pathway. Post-graduate certificates mirror MSN majors. Confirm current tracks and delivery on the MSN majors page.
How much is tuition for BSN students at Case Western Reserve?
For academic year 2026-27, CWRU lists undergraduate tuition at 2,976 dollars per credit hour with a fall-and-spring tuition maximum of 71,410 dollars for students entering in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Spring 2027; nursing majors also pay additional nursing-specific fees listed on Student Financial Services. For 2025-26, the fall-and-spring total tuition-and-fees table for many continuing cohorts shows about 73,986 dollars before nursing add-ons. Exact bill depends on cohort year. Confirm on case.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-fees/undergraduate-tuition-fees and the FPB nursing fee schedule.
Where do Frances Payne Bolton students complete clinicals in Cleveland?
The school highlights clinical experiences with partners including University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System. MN materials also reference more than 1,000 clinical hours. Site assignments vary by program and term; confirm placement policies with FPB.
Is the TEAS required for Frances Payne Bolton nursing applicants?
The public BSN and graduate nursing summary pages emphasize pathway-specific requirements through CWRU undergraduate admission or FPB graduate admissions rather than advertising a uniform TEAS rule. Whether TEAS or other exams apply to your cohort is not stated on the short program overview pages we reviewed. Confirm the current checklist with the Office of Undergraduate Admission for BSN and with admissionsfpb@case.edu for MN, MSN, DNP, and PhD.
What is the role of the Health Education Campus for FPB?
Frances Payne Bolton is located at the Health Education Campus, 9501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, near Cleveland Clinic main campus. Students engage in interprofessional learning with medicine, dental, social work, and PA peers and use simulation facilities there. Parking details are listed on the Visit FPB page.
Who should I contact for Frances Payne Bolton admissions?
General nursing admissions contacts include admissionsfpb@case.edu and 216-368-1794, with pathway-specific directions on case.edu/nursing/admissions/how-apply. BSN applications are coordinated through the Office of Undergraduate Admission; graduate pathways use FPB graduate admissions instructions.
References
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing — programscase.edu/nursing/programs
- FPB School of Nursing Dashboard (NCLEX & outcomes)case.edu/nursing/about/school-nursing-dashboard
- How to Apply — FPB admissions contactscase.edu/nursing/admissions/how-apply
- Undergraduate tuition & fees (CWRU)case.edu/studentaccounts/tuition-fees/undergraduate-tuition-fees
- Frances Payne Bolton graduate tuition & feesSFS — FPB tuition
- Ohio Board of Nursing — home / licensurenursing.ohio.gov
- Ohio BON — 2024 NCLEX pass rate report (PDF)2024 Pass Rate Report PDF
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — 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 and tuition alignment with FPB/CWRU sources, program catalog consistency, and Ohio Board citations.
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 Ohio Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy