Northampton Community College Nursing Program Review (2026): Bethlehem, Pocono & Requirements
Northampton Community College (NCC) runs selective ADN and practical nursing programs with day, evening, and weekend options on the Bethlehem and Pocono campuses—plus LPN-to-RN advanced placement for licensed practical nurses. Pair this overview with northampton.edu nursing, the selective admission table, and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
NCC combines Lehigh Valley and Pocono campus options for the 71-credit A.A.S. RN program, publishes ATI TEAS tiers that differ for RN (“Proficient” + subsection rules) versus LPN (“Basic”), and states the associate RN track holds provisional Pennsylvania Board of Nursing approval while the PN program is fully approved—confirm current board status before you commit.
Overview & Why Students Choose Northampton Community College
Between Bethlehem and the Pocono campus, Northampton Community College anchors nursing education for Pennsylvania’s northeastern corridor—close to Lehigh Valley Health Network facilities, community hospitals, and long-term care networks students encounter in clinical rotations. NCC markets four stackable paths: RN associate degree, practical nursing, CNA workforce training, and continuing education refreshers, with the RN and PN tracks carrying ACEN accreditation.
Clinical entry is selective: health professions pages spell out science grades, cumulative GPA floors, ATI TEAS performance bands, criminal background screening, vaccines, CPR, and other agency-driven requirements. NCC also makes clear that provisional approval for the associate RN program is not interchangeable with full board approval—keep that distinction in mind as you compare schools.
NCC’s nursing landing page states the Practical Nursing program has full Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing approval while the Associate Degree RN program has provisional approval. Provisional approval is not full approval; confirm the current status on the Board’s approved-program list and with NCC before enrolling.
NCC hosts separate PDFs for RN program outcomes and PN program outcomes. The RN PDF reviewed for this guide still listed NCLEX-RN cohort columns through 2021; the PN PDF includes a 2021–22 NCLEX-PN column. For newer cohorts, download the latest PDFs and compare with Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing resources when updated.
Reasons students consider Northampton Community College
Dual-campus RN flexibility
The 71-credit A.A.S. RN program runs at Bethlehem and Pocono, with day programs plus advertised evening/weekend offerings on Bethlehem for certain cohorts.
Structured PN ladder
The 44-credit practical nursing certificate delivers a one-calendar-year clinical sequence (three semesters) focused on NCLEX-PN readiness at Bethlehem.
Documented TEAS rules
Selective admission materials differentiate RN (Proficient TEAS + subsection benchmarks) from LPN (Basic TEAS) and spell out two- or four-year TEAS windows depending on pathway.
Published outcomes PDFs
NCC posts NCLEX tables, completion metrics, and historical graduate employment survey percentages for RN and PN—always read the footnotes for cohort years.
Nursing Programs Offered
NCC’s catalog listings break out pre-licensure RN (A.A.S.), practical nursing, CNA workforce training, and RN advanced placement for licensed LPNs. The community college does not grant a BSN on campus—plan for transfer or RN-to-BSN options after licensure if you want a bachelor’s.
Pre-licensure
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Nursing: RN Associate (A.A.S.) — 71 credits over four semesters, NCLEX-RN preparation, offered at Bethlehem and Pocono with weekly clinical hours threaded through medical-surgical, maternal-child, and mental health courses per NCC’s program overview.
Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN)
44 credits across three semesters (one calendar year), Bethlehem day program, culminating in NCLEX-PN eligibility. NCC notes no Fall 2026 LPN cohort at Pocono on its selective admissions page—verify campus availability each cycle.
Career & workforce pathways
Nurse Aide (CNA)
120-hour competency course preparing for the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry via NNAAP; delivered through NCC workforce training (Fowler location per program overview).
Nursing continuing education
Non-degree CE modules for NCLEX preparation, mandated contact hours, or reactivation of a lapsed license—details on NCC’s continuing education nursing page.
LPN-to-RN advanced placement (same ADN credential)
RN Advanced Placement for licensed LPNs
Licensed LPNs complete gen-ed requirements from the first two RN semesters, hold a 3.0 GPA, submit Proficient TEAS scores (with a four-year TEAS window for NCC PN graduates), document NURS101 credit or ATI Fundamentals Assessment Level II, and follow campus-specific seat availability outlined on the selective admission page.
NCC’s selective health professions checklist includes background clearances, health insurance, physicals, immunizations (including seasonal COVID-19 and flu vaccines referenced there), drug screening, and BLS CPR—clinical agencies may impose additional non-negotiable requirements.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet, the Northampton Community College ADN row lists 91.36% first-time (74 of 81 testers) for the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 testing year (leftmost column). NCC’s RN Program Outcomes PDF may lag the Board workbook—if columns end at an older year on your download, rely on the Commonwealth file for the most recent cycle and use the college PDF for completion/employment context.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (PA DOS, Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | 91.36% (81 tested / 74 passed per 2024–2025 RN workbook, Northampton CC ADN row) |
| Source | Board: 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet (PDF). College context: NCC RN Program Outcomes (PDF). Confirm newer cohorts with NCC and the Board. |
NCLEX-PN (practical nursing)
NCC’s PN Program Outcomes PDF lists first-time NCLEX-PN performance through the 2021–22 reporting column: 92.59% (25 of 27 testers), compared with 81.41% for Pennsylvania and 80.09% nationally in the same table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2021–22 column) | 92.59% (NCC PN outcomes PDF; 27 tested / 25 passed) |
| Source | NCC PN Program Outcomes (PDF); confirm current cohorts with NCC and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes vary by graduating class. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates with Northampton Community College and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing before using figures for high-stakes decisions.
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 Northampton Community College and the Pennsylvania 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.
- Pennsylvania 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 Northampton Community College’s admissions or international office and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
NCC’s Health Professions selective admission page spells out pathway-specific prerequisites, GPA minimums, ATI TEAS performance bands, transcript submission to transcripts@northampton.edu, and portal steps (including the Selective Program Intent Form for continuing students). You may apply to only one selective program per term; Nursing information sessions are listed at info.northampton.edu/admissions-events.
Illustrative application windows (from NCC’s selective table)
| Cohort / program grouping | Applications open | Applications close | Decisions (no later than) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 — Nursing Bethlehem Advanced Placement / LPN; Pocono RN | Wednesday, October 1 | Sunday, February 1 | Monday, March 30 |
| Spring 2027 — Bethlehem Advanced Placement LPN/RN | Monday, June 1 | Sunday, August 30 | Friday, October 3 |
| Source | NCC selective program admission requirements — confirm the active table before you apply. | ||
TEAS and academic thresholds (published minimums)
| Pathway | Highlights from NCC nursing selective page |
|---|---|
| RN (generic) | HS biology with lab or BIOS 115 at B or better; HS chemistry with lab or CHEM 135 at B or better; Algebra I and II or MATH 022 at C or better (or placement exemption); cumulative GPA at least 3.0; ATI TEAS Proficient with subsections at or above the national average; TEAS within two years of the application deadline. |
| LPN | HS biology with lab or BIOS 115 at C or better; HS Algebra I or MATH 022 at C or better; GPA at least 2.5; ATI TEAS Basic; TEAS within two years of the deadline (NCC lists concrete calendar examples). |
| RN Advanced Placement (LPN) | Active LPN license; science/math thresholds mirror RN; gen-ed for first two RN semesters complete at C or better; GPA at least 3.0; Proficient TEAS; NURS101 credit or ATI Fundamentals Level II; four-year TEAS window for NCC PN graduates versus two years for other LPNs. |
| Clinical acceptance rate | Not publicly disclosed — NCC states nursing is competitive and minimums do not guarantee admission. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Per NCC’s Tuition & Fees page, rates labeled 2025–2026 are effective Fall 2025 through Summer 2 2026 and combine tuition with comprehensive, technology, and (where applicable) capital outlay fees. Sponsoring Northampton County residents in listed school districts pay no capital fee because sponsoring districts fund that share. The same page’s 2026–2027 accordion publishes estimated full-time comparison figures for Northampton County (NCC states they are based on about a 5% increase) and notes Monroe, other PA, and out-of-state/country tiers follow the same percentage increase—open the live accordion for the exact table.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Part-time / per-credit total (under 12 credits) | Northampton County sponsors: $195/cr · Monroe County: $299/cr · Other PA counties: $398/cr · Out of state/country: $533/cr |
| Full-time flat rate (12–18 credits) | Northampton County: $2,925/term · Monroe County: $4,485 · Other PA: $5,970 · Out of state/country: $7,995 |
| 2026–2027 (estimated, NCC accordion) | Northampton County full-time flat (12–18 cr): $3,071/term in NCC’s comparison table (estimated ~5% increase). Other residency tiers: NCC states they follow the same % increase as Northampton County—confirm dollar amounts on the official page rather than extrapolating here. |
| Additional notes | Credits beyond 18 bill at the part-time per-credit rate; review NCC’s academic, clinical, and health-professions fee schedules for program-specific charges. |
| Source | Northampton Community College — Tuition & Fees (2025–2026 schedule plus 2026–2027 estimated comparison). |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
NCC’s RN and PN outcome PDFs include licensure examination results, completion metrics, and graduate employment survey percentages. Treat survey-based employment figures as respondent-only snapshots—methodology and response rates are spelled out in each PDF.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (PA DOS, Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | 91.36% (81 testers / 74 passed per 2024–2025 RN workbook) |
| NCLEX-PN first-time pass (2021–22 column in PN PDF) | 92.59% (27 testers / 25 passed) |
| RN program completion (Spring/Fall 2020 admits) | 86% within 150% of program length after first nursing course (104 admitted / 89 completed per RN PDF) |
| Graduate employment (RN PDF, survey-based, Dec. 2019–May 2020 graduates) | 84% of returned surveys indicated employment (65/77 returned; confirm current surveys with NCC Career Services) |
| Source | NCC RN Program Outcomes (PDF); NCC PN Program Outcomes (PDF). |
Is Northampton Community College the Right Fit for You?
NCC fits learners who want Lehigh Valley or Pocono access, can meet ATI TEAS Proficient expectations for RN generic entry, and are comfortable with selective health-profession admission. It is a weaker fit if you require a guaranteed online pre-licensure pathway or cannot travel to Bethlehem/Pocono clinicals.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Qualify for sponsoring Northampton County tuition ($195/credit part-time in 2025–26) or can budget Monroe/other PA/out-of-state tiers from the official table.
- Value ACEN-accredited PN/ADN tracks, published NCLEX tables, and NCC’s stackable CNA → LPN → RN ladder options.
- Can meet science GPA thresholds, complete clinical compliance (immunizations, background checks, drug screens), and commute to regional hospitals and community partners.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need assurance of full Pennsylvania Board approval for the associate RN program without reviewing provisional status updates.
- Insist on Pocono LPN seats when NCC has announced a campus-specific gap (e.g., no Fall 2026 Pocono LPN cohort).
- Expect open enrollment—meeting minimums still leaves you in a competitive pool without guaranteed clinical placement.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Bethlehem anchors the Lehigh Valley alongside Allentown and Easton, giving NCC students proximity to large integrated delivery networks, community hospitals, long-term care, outpatient clinics, and public-health fieldwork NCC describes in its nursing materials. The Pocono campus extends that footprint into Monroe County’s resort and growing retiree communities. Exact clinical partners rotate by semester; expect considerable windshield time once weekly clinicals begin.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional demand | Lehigh Valley and the Poconos continue to recruit bedside nurses across acute, rehabilitation, skilled-nursing, and home-based settings—use NCC Career Services and preceptor relationships to learn who hired recent graduates. |
| Clinical assignments | Faculty place students in agencies that meet course objectives; you must maintain certifications, comply with agency vaccine policies, and arrange reliable transportation. |
| Next step | Attend a nursing information session and ask how far cohorts typically travel and which care settings dominated the prior academic year. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
NCC emphasizes hands-on labs plus multi-hour weekly clinical experiences described on its nursing landing page—students balance theory courses with skills labs and simulation before transitioning into hospitals and community agencies. Beyond nursing, the college provides libraries, advising, wellness resources, and student activities; most learners commute, so plan schedules around Bethlehem, Pocono, or Fowler site requirements depending on program (CNA/workforce routes reference Fowler in NCC marketing copy).
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Main address
- 3835 Green Pond Road, Bethlehem, PA 18020, US
- Admissions telephone
- +1 (610) 861-5500
- Main telephone
- +1 (610) 861-5300
- Transcripts / admissions email
- transcripts@northampton.edu · adminfo@northampton.edu
- Website
- northampton.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read NCC’s nursing programs page and download the ADN/LPN program maps linked there.
- Open the selective admission table to confirm the closing date for your cohort (e.g., February 1 for many Fall 2026 nursing entries).
- Schedule ATI TEAS testing through NCC’s testing center page and keep score reports within the program’s two- or four-year validity window.
- Request official transcripts from high school and any colleges you attended, sending them to transcripts@northampton.edu.
- Register for a nursing information session via info.northampton.edu/admissions-events if you have not attended within NCC’s stated timeframe.
- Review the health professions acceptance checklist for immunizations, insurance, and clearance costs.
- Download the latest RN and PN outcomes PDFs so you understand recent NCLEX and completion statistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton Community College a good school for nursing?
NCC publishes ACEN accreditation, selective health-professions requirements, and downloadable outcome PDFs with first-time NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN tables. The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing indicates full approval for the PN program and provisional approval for the associate RN program—verify both statuses directly with the Board and NCC.
Does Northampton Community College offer a BSN degree?
No. Pre-licensure offerings are the A.A.S. RN and Practical Nursing certificate. NCC promotes transfer partnerships (for example Bloomsburg, DeSales, Drexel, and others listed on its nursing page) for students who continue toward a BSN after licensure.
What ATI TEAS scores does Northampton Community College require?
Per the selective nursing section, generic RN applicants need Proficient ATI TEAS with every subsection at or above the national average (valid two years). LPN applicants need Basic TEAS. RN Advanced Placement adds a four-year TEAS window for graduates of NCC’s PN program versus two years for other LPNs.
When are Northampton Community College nursing applications due?
NCC lists rolling selective-program windows on its Health Professions page—for example, Fall 2026 nursing applications that include Bethlehem LPN, Advanced Placement, and Pocono RN historically open October 1 and close February 1 with decision dates that March. Always re-read the live table before applying.
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate did Northampton Community College publish?
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN workbook lists NCC’s ADN row at 91.36% first-time (74/81) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025. The college’s RN outcomes PDF may show additional employment/completion metrics—download the newest versions of both.
Can licensed LPNs enter Northampton Community College’s RN program with advanced placement?
Yes, via RN Advanced Placement. Licensed LPNs document prerequisites, TEAS results, GEN-ed progress, and either NURS101 credit from NCC or ATI Fundamentals Level II, then follow campus schedules published on the selective admission page.
Is Northampton Community College’s associate RN program fully approved in Pennsylvania?
NCC publicly states the ADN track holds provisional approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing while the PN program retains full approval. Provisional approval is not full approval; confirm the latest Board disposition before enrolling.
What are Northampton Community College tuition rates for 2025–2026 and 2026–2027?
For Fall 2025–Summer 2 2026, NCC lists part-time all-in rates of $195 (sponsoring Northampton County), $299 (Monroe County), $398 (other Pennsylvania counties), and $533 (out of state/country) per credit, plus full-time flat rates by tier. The same page’s 2026–2027 section shows estimated full-time Northampton County totals—including $3,071/term for the 12–18 credit band in NCC’s comparison table, labeled as roughly a 5% increase—with other counties described as following the same percentage increase. Confirm live figures before you register.
Does Northampton Community College offer LPN at the Pocono campus?
The marketing page lists LPN at Bethlehem; NCC’s selective admission notes specifically stated no Fall 2026 LPN cohort at Pocono and directed LPN applicants to Bethlehem. Reconfirm campus availability for future terms.
References
- Northampton Community College — Nursing programs overviewnorthampton.edu/…/nursing.html
- NCC — Selective program admission requirementsselective-program-admission-reqs.html
- NCC — RN Program Outcomes (PDF)rn_program_outcomes.pdf
- NCC — PN Program Outcomes (PDF)pn_program_outcomes.pdf
- NCC — Tuition & Fees (2025–2026; 2026–2027 estimate)tuition-and-fees/index.html
- Pennsylvania State Board of NursingBoard resources & documents
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
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 Pennsylvania provisional vs full BON approval language, NCC 2025–2026 tuition tiers plus the college’s published 2026–2027 estimated comparison, TEAS thresholds, selective-program deadlines, and NCLEX figures from NCC’s RN/PN outcomes PDFs.
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 Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-31 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy