Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Public community college nursing in Cleveland with a career-ladder ADN (practical nursing certificate after year one, RN eligibility after year two), an LPN-to-RN Access track, and campus-based clinicals across Northeast Ohio. Figures below come from Tri-C’s published tuition schedule and program outcomes—confirm every requirement and rate with Tri-C and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Tri-C’s Nursing Center of Excellence uses a concept-based, career-ladder curriculum: after prerequisite nursing courses you can test as an Ohio STNA, after year one you earn a Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing and may sit for NCLEX-PN, and after year two you earn the AAS and may sit for NCLEX-RN—useful if you want to work as an LPN while finishing the RN. Day and modified evening/weekend sections run on multiple Cleveland-area campuses with clinicals spread across Northeast Ohio.
Overview & Why Students Choose Cuyahoga Community College
Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) is a multi-campus community college serving Cuyahoga County and the wider region. Its nursing program emphasizes affordability, multiple campus entry points (Eastern, Metropolitan, Western, and Westshore), and a single set of admission standards for the generic track whether you attend day or modified evening/weekend courses. Clinical education is designed around exposure to diverse inpatient and community settings throughout Northeast Ohio rather than a single hospital “brand.”
On its public outcomes page, Tri-C reports a 94.68% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 96.68% first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate at the end of calendar year 2024, with comparison means for Ohio and the nation shown alongside those figures. Confirm the latest cohorts with Tri-C’s Nursing Program Outcomes page and with the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Reasons students choose Tri-C nursing
Career-ladder ADN design
The generic track awards a practical nursing certificate after the first nursing year so you can test NCLEX-PN and work while completing the second year toward RN licensure, if you choose that path.
Residency-based tuition
Cuyahoga County residents access the lowest per-credit rate on Tri-C’s published schedule; Ohioans outside the county and out-of-state students pay published surcharges—transparent for budgeting.
Flexible scheduling
Day sections and modified evening/weekend sections are offered on several campuses; Tri-C states campus offerings can vary by semester.
Strong published NCLEX outcomes
Tri-C publishes first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates annually on its outcomes page, which assists applicants comparing programs—always verify the newest reporting cycle.
ACCESS track for Ohio LPNs
Licensed practical nurses who meet Ohio licensing and prerequisite rules can enter the LPN-to-RN Access track with advanced standing rather than repeating the full generic first year.
Nursing Programs Offered
Tri-C structures nursing as pre-licensure associate-level education. There is no standalone BSN, MSN, or DNP at the college; graduate nursing degrees require transfer or another institution. Use the headings below to separate pre-licensure generic ADN work from the LPN-to-RN Access pathway.
Pre-licensure (generic ADN track)
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (ADN) — Generic Track
Four-semester (two-year) nursing sequence after prerequisites, with day or modified evening/weekend options on Tri-C’s Eastern, Metropolitan, Western, and Westshore campuses. Clinical rotations take place at acute and community sites across Northeast Ohio. Completing year one yields a Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing and NCLEX-PN eligibility; completing year two yields the AAS and NCLEX-RN eligibility, per Tri-C’s catalog and program pages.
Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing (ladder milestone)
This certificate is earned after the first year of the ADN generic track—not as a separate one-year program. Tri-C states the former standalone practical nursing certificate stopped admitting new students in Fall 2019; current students enter through the ADN.
LPN-to-RN (post-LPN pathway)
ADN — LPN to RN Access (ACCESS)
For licensed Ohio LPNs who meet prerequisite and authorization rules—including an unencumbered Ohio license and OBN medication credentialing—Tri-C offers an Access track with advanced standing. ACCESS students start in the Spring modified evening section at the Eastern Campus only, per the college’s public information packet.
Program names, tracks, and campus availability change. Use Tri-C’s nursing program page, the academic catalog, and the current information packet before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Tri-C’s Nursing Program Outcomes (data through end of calendar year 2024), the program’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for Tri-C was 94.68%, with Ohio and national comparison means listed on the same page (89.55% state mean and 91.16% national mean as reported there). For NCLEX-PN, Tri-C reports a 96.68% first-time pass rate for the same period, with state mean 82.54% and national mean 88.38% as shown on that outcomes page. These are school-published figures, not independent verification by NurseOnShift. For additional official context—including Board of Nursing listings—use the Ohio Board of Nursing.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (Tri-C-reported) | 94.68% (end of year 2024) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate (Tri-C-reported) | 96.68% (end of year 2024) |
| Source | Tri-C Nursing Program Outcomes; confirm current cohorts with Tri-C and the Ohio Board of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Ohio 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 Cuyahoga Community College and the Ohio 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.
- Ohio 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 Cuyahoga Community College’s international office and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Nursing admission at Tri-C is competitive and capacity-limited. The college uses common criteria for the generic track, authorizes prerequisite nursing courses through the Nursing Center of Excellence, and places students on a first-come basis until sections are filled. New cohorts typically begin in Fall and Spring. Always work from the current information packet and online nursing pages rather than third-party summaries.
Application timeline
| Entry pattern | What to expect | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling review | Submit the online request for review after prerequisites (except as noted in the packet) are complete. | Packet states placement is first-come, first-served until full. |
| Fall & Spring starts | Generic track admits twice per year. | Placement communications go to your Tri-C email—monitor it closely. |
| ACCESS (LPN-RN) | Spring modified evening start at Eastern Campus. | Requires active Ohio LPN license without restriction and other packet criteria. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | Cumulative 2.75 or higher on Tri-C coursework (minimum 9 credit hours applicable to the AAS general education portion), with transfer GPA rules outlined in the packet for students below that threshold. |
| Science grades | BIO 2331 (Anatomy & Physiology I) must be B or higher; additional science courses in the nursing sequence also require B or higher where the packet specifies. |
| HESI A2 (generic track) | Required for applicants without an associate degree or higher on file: minimum 75% on Math and English composite (Reading, Vocabulary, Grammar); attempt limits and timing rules are spelled out in the information packet (TEAS is not the listed exam). |
| Background & health | BCI background check per program timeline; immunizations, AHA BLS, and clinical compliance documents as required for clinical partners. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tri-C publishes residency-based tuition using instructional and general/technology fees per credit hour, plus a semester institutional fee tied to enrolled hours and any supplemental course fees. Figures below come from the tuition schedule labeled Summer 2026 – Fall 2026; nursing also publishes a program-specific cost-of-attendance PDF on the generic track page for planning.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Combined tuition & general/technology fee (per credit hour) | $139.54 instructional + general/technology components as published for Summer 2026–Fall 2026. |
| Ohio resident outside Cuyahoga County | Published total $169.08 per credit hour (includes out-of-county surcharge). |
| Out-of-state | Published total $306.19 per credit hour (includes out-of-state surcharge). |
| Institutional fee (per semester) | $10 (1–3 credits), $50 (4–11 credits), $70 (12+ credits), per Tri-C’s fee description. |
| Example: 12 credit hours (in-county) | Tri-C lists $1,674.48 tuition + fees subtotal for 12 enrolled hours on the in-county row of its published table (before books, supplies, transportation, or nursing extras). |
| Source | Tri-C Tuition & Fee Schedule; ADN generic track cost PDF. Confirm current rates with Student Accounting. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcomes should be read in context: NCLEX performance reflects graduates who complete the program and test, while completion rates measure progress through the curriculum. Tri-C reports both on its outcomes page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 94.68% (Tri-C-reported, end of year 2024) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass rate | 96.68% (Tri-C-reported, end of year 2024) |
| Program completion (ADN generic goal context) | Tri-C reports 38.00% program completion for 2023–2024 against an internal goal of 60% for students finishing within four semesters of entering the first nursing course—confirm methodology and newer cohorts on the outcomes page. |
| Job placement / employment | Not publicly disclosed on the pages cited in this guide; see Tri-C consumer information for any updates. |
| Source | Tri-C Nursing Program Outcomes; confirm with Tri-C and the Ohio Board of Nursing. |
Is Cuyahoga Community College the Right Fit for You?
Tri-C fits students who want an Ohio public, community-college price point, can commit to campus-based theory and clinical attendance, and are prepared for Tri-C’s prerequisite structure (including HESI for many generic-track applicants). It is a weaker match if you need a fully online pre-licensure program or a university-level BSN without transferring.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want an ADN with optional NCLEX-PN stop after year one while continuing toward RN.
- Already live in or can relocate within reach of Eastern, Metropolitan, Western, or Westshore campuses.
- Are comfortable with Tri-C’s GPA, science grade, and HESI expectations for generic-track entry.
- Are licensed Ohio LPNs seeking an ACCESS-style completion path with advanced standing.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a BSN awarded entirely at one community college (Tri-C’s credential is the AAS/ADN pathway).
- Cannot meet clinical compliance requirements (immunizations, background checks, partner facility rules).
- Require a self-paced, distance-only pre-licensure format.
- Expect low-burden admission—nursing remains selective and capacity-limited despite open-college access.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Cleveland anchors one of the Midwest’s largest healthcare markets. Tri-C states nursing students rotate through diverse clinical partners across Northeast Ohio rather than a single hospital system, which can expose you to academic medical centers, community hospitals, behavioral health, pediatric, obstetric, and geriatric environments. Specific site lists change with contracts; confirm active affiliates with the program.
| Setting | Details |
|---|---|
| Major health systems (regional context) | Cleveland’s ecosystem includes organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, and MetroHealth, alongside numerous community hospitals—useful context for job market density after licensure. |
| Clinical education | Tri-C describes acute, community, pediatric, OB, med-surg, and geriatric experiences distributed across Northeast Ohio; your exact rotation set depends on cohort, campus, and partner availability. |
| Workforce | Northeast Ohio’s hospital and ambulatory networks sustain demand for new RNs and LPNs, though hiring varies by employer and specialty; pair school career resources with direct employer research. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Nursing courses are delivered on Tri-C’s Eastern, Metropolitan, Western, and Westshore campuses with skills and simulation laboratory work integrated into the curriculum (check the campus map and nursing office hours for lab access). Tri-C positions email through your college account as official communication—plan to monitor it daily once you pursue nursing prerequisites. Student engagement opportunities (e.g., professional associations) may be available; confirm active groups with the Nursing Center of Excellence or student life offices.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Cleveland, OH
- Address
- 700 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115-2878, US
- Telephone (Nursing Center)
- 216-987-4067
- Contact email
- nursing@tri-c.edu (Nursing Center of Excellence)
- Website
- tri-c.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official Cuyahoga Community College nursing website and download the latest information packet.
- Compare your transcripts to Tri-C prerequisite courses (including BIO 2331 B-or-better and NURS 1000 / NURS 1010 sequencing) in the catalog.
- If you do not hold an associate degree or higher on file, schedule the HESI A2 and plan for Tri-C’s 75% Math and English requirements before NURS 1010 authorization.
- Email nursingprereqs@tri-c.edu with focused questions after you have read the packet.
- Complete FAFSA and Tri-C scholarship exploration early—community college costs are modest but nursing has extra fees and compliance expenses.
- Review Ohio Board of Nursing licensure checklist if you have prior criminal history or international credentials.
- Set calendar reminders for Fall/Spring cohort placement communications in your Tri-C email.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) a strong choice for nursing in Cleveland?
Tri-C’s associate nursing program holds ACEN continuing accreditation and full approval from the Ohio Board of Nursing, per the college’s accreditation page. Tri-C also publishes first-time NCLEX-RN (94.68%) and NCLEX-PN (96.68%) pass rates for end of year 2024 on its outcomes page. Confirm current status with ACEN, the Ohio Board of Nursing, and Tri-C Nursing.
What are the admission requirements for Tri-C’s generic-track ADN?
The public packet lists prerequisites such as BIO 2331 (B or higher), statistics, psychology, NURS 1000 and authorized NURS 1010, a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on eligible Tri-C coursework (with transfer rules for some students), HESI A2 minimum scores for applicants without an associate degree on file, criminal background screening, immunization and AHA BLS compliance, and an online request for review when requirements are complete. Policies change—use the current Tri-C nursing information packet.
What NCLEX-RN pass rate does Tri-C report, and where is it published?
According to Tri-C’s Nursing Program Outcomes page, the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate attributed to Tri-C was 94.68% at the end of calendar year 2024, alongside state and national comparison means on the same page. Confirm subsequent years with Tri-C and the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Does Cuyahoga Community College require the TEAS for nursing?
Tri-C’s published generic-track materials specify the HESI A2 (not the TEAS) for applicants who do not already have an associate degree or higher documented on file, with 75% minimum performance requirements on Math and English sections as described in the information packet. Verify whether exceptions apply to you before registering for exams.
How does Tri-C’s LPN-to-RN Access (ACCESS) track differ from the generic ADN?
ACCESS serves licensed Ohio LPNs who meet additional transcript, prerequisite, and licensing rules. ACCESS differs in course entry points, uses NURS 1250 authorization, and (per Tri-C) admits in the Spring modified evening section at the Eastern Campus only. Read the packet section for ACCESS carefully if that is your pathway.
What tuition rate should a Cuyahoga County resident expect for Tri-C (2026 schedule)?
Tri-C’s Summer 2026–Fall 2026 schedule lists a combined instructional plus general/technology rate of $139.54 per credit hour for county residents before institutional and supplemental fees. Ohioans outside the county pay $169.08 per credit and out-of-state students $306.19 per credit on the same schedule. Always confirm residency classification with the registrar.
Can I stop after the first year of Tri-C nursing and work as an LPN?
Tri-C’s career-ladder design awards a Certificate of Proficiency in Practical Nursing after the first nursing year of the generic track, making graduates eligible to sit for NCLEX-PN if they meet board requirements. You would not yet hold the ADN until you complete the second year. Confirm current catalog language and Ohio Board steps before planning employment.
Which Tri-C campuses offer nursing classes?
Tri-C states generic-track day sections may run at Metropolitan, Eastern, Western, and Westshore campuses and modified evening sections at Eastern, Western, and Westshore, with availability changing by semester. Clinical sites are scheduled across Northeast Ohio regardless of lecture campus.
What should internationally educated nurses know before applying to Tri-C?
Tri-C’s packet directs international nursing graduates to the Ohio Board of Nursing for examination and licensure by examination guidance. You will also need verified transcripts, possible credential evaluation, English proficiency if required, and compliance with clinical site policies. This is general guidance only—confirm every step with Tri-C admissions, the international office, and the Board.
References
- Cuyahoga Community College — Nursing program overviewtri-c.edu/programs/nursing
- Cuyahoga Community College — Nursing Program Outcomes (NCLEX data)tri-c.edu/…/nursing-program-outcomes
- Cuyahoga Community College — Tuition & Fee Schedule (Summer 2026–Fall 2026)tri-c.edu/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees
- Cuyahoga Community College — Nursing Information Packet (PDF, revised 07/09/2024)information-packet-revised-7-9-24.pdf
- Cuyahoga Community College — Accreditation & Approval (ACEN, Ohio BON)tri-c.edu/…/accreditation-and-approval-information
- Ohio Board of Nursingnursing.ohio.gov
- Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) — program searchacenursing.org/search-programs
- 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 Tri-C program scope (ADN vs ACCESS), residency tuition figures, HESI vs TEAS documentation, and alignment between on-page NCLEX percentages and Tri-C’s public outcomes disclosures.
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