Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing: What to Know (2026)
One of Pennsylvania’s largest pre-licensure nursing educators, Penn State’s Nese College spans University Park, Commonwealth campuses, and World Campus, with a required Hershey Medical Center year for University Park BSN students and deep ties to Penn State Health. Program lists, NCLEX figures, and tuition below come from nursing.psu.edu, college PDFs, and tuition.psu.edu—confirm each cohort and policy with the college and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Penn State Nursing is unusually geographic: University Park students rotate through Mount Nittany, Geisinger, and Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center examples named in college FAQs, while Accelerated BSN (ABSN) students study at Altoona, Harrisburg, or Behrend. That multi-campus design, plus optional 2+2 Hershey scheduling, is the signature trade-off students weigh alongside Big Ten research resources and World Campus graduate nursing scale.
Overview & Why Students Choose Penn State Nursing
The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing anchors more than 2,200 undergraduate and graduate students across 13 Penn State locations, per the college’s August 2024 fact sheet. It promotes a research-backed educator pipeline (National League for Nursing Center of Excellence recognition), a 700+ clinical partner network, and tightly sequenced pre-licensure curricula that bake in ATI-supported NCLEX preparation beginning in year two.
Unlike a single-campus nursing school, Penn State asks students to choose a home campus and stay there: General BSN students cannot swap locations mid-program, and University Park cohorts must complete a required academic year at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (with lottery-based timing described in college FAQs). Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—at Penn State the program is called Second Degree BSN—runs at Altoona, Harrisburg, or Behrend (Erie) in a fixed 16-month plan.
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet lists a consolidated BSN row as Penn State University BSN (the workbook spells it “Pennylvania State University BSN”) with 92.91% first-time (354 of 381) in the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 testing year (leftmost column). Separately, the college’s printer-friendly fact sheet (August 13, 2024) states 97% for 2023 first-time test takers, and General BSN FAQs cite a 93% Penn State rate next to a national comparison—each snapshot can reflect different cohorts or aggregation. Confirm your campus pathway against both the Board workbook and nursing.psu.edu publications.
Reasons students choose Penn State Nursing
Penn State Health + Hershey exposure
University Park nursing students rotate through Level I trauma resources at Hershey and other named affiliates such as Mount Nittany Medical Center and Geisinger facilities referenced in college FAQs.
Multi-campus access
Traditional BSN sites include University Park, Altoona, Behrend, Schuylkill, and Scranton—each with local clinical networks within roughly a 50-mile radius.
World Campus scale
Online RN-BSN, MSN (Nurse Educator / Nurse Administrator), DNP, and certificate stacks support working nurses with Penn State’s nationally visible distance infrastructure.
Research-forward doctoral paths
BSN-to-PhD entry, standalone PhD, and dual-title options (Nursing & Bioethics; Nursing & Clinical and Translational Sciences) emphasize nurse scientist development from a Big Ten R1 university.
Clear competitiveness signals
The college states it receives upwards of 4,000 nursing applications in a typical year while aiming to enroll roughly 160 University Park first-years plus 300 across other BSN campuses—useful context for planning academics and timelines early.
Nursing Programs Offered
Program groupings below mirror the August 2024 college fact sheet, General BSN FAQs, Second Degree program page, and graduate summaries on nursing.psu.edu. Campus availability differs by pathway—always confirm your admit location before budgeting travel or housing.
Pre-licensure
Traditional BSN
Four-year, fall-entry pre-licensure curriculum with simulation starting in the third semester, more than 900 clinical hours, and ATI tools for NCLEX readiness. Offered at University Park (with required Hershey year), Altoona, Behrend, Schuylkill, and Scranton per General BSN FAQs.
Second Degree BSN (Accelerated BSN / ABSN)
Intensive 16-month, four-semester, 60-credit cohort model for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s. Delivered at Penn State Altoona, Harrisburg, and Erie (Behrend); campus changes are not permitted after admission.
Post-licensure (RN preparation complete)
RN to BSN
Completion BSN emphasizing leadership and evidence-based practice, delivered through World Campus and noted at select Commonwealth sites in college publications. Stackable undergraduate certificates include Nursing Forensics and Nursing Informatics (management certificate scheduled for discontinuance per undergraduate certificate page).
Graduate & doctoral
MSN
World Campus MSN with Nurse Educator and Nurse Administrator advanced-role tracks, per the college fact sheet.
DNP
Practice doctorate with Leadership and nurse practitioner options (family/individual, adult-gerontology primary care, adult-gerontology acute care, psychiatric-mental health, and gerontological emphases) listed on the fact sheet. Entry from BSN or post-master’s per pathway pages.
PhD / BSN to PhD
Research-focused doctoral training with BSN-to-PhD option and dual-title degrees in Nursing & Bioethics or Nursing & Clinical and Translational Sciences, centered at University Park and Hershey collaborations.
Post-graduate NP certificate & graduate certificates
Post-graduate APRN certificate aligned with doctoral NP concentrations plus certificates in gerontology, education, administration, and primary palliative care per the August 2024 fact sheet.
Online nursing programs must comply with state authorization and Board of Nursing rules. Before submitting a World Campus application fee, verify Pennsylvania and your state of residence with World Campus admissions and the relevant board.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet, the consolidated Penn State BSN row (labeled “Penn State University BSN” but spelled “Pennylvania State University BSN” in the Commonwealth PDF) shows 92.91% first-time (354 of 381) for the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 testing year (leftmost workbook column).
The Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing fact sheet dated August 13, 2024 still highlights a 97% NCLEX pass rate for first-time test takers in 2023 (school-reported aggregate; confirm campus mix). Penn State’s General BSN Program FAQs also cite a 93% Penn State rate alongside a national first-time figure attributed to NCSBN materials (88% in their 2025-oriented wording). These snapshots are not interchangeable with the Board workbook row—ask the college which report aligns with your admit campus.
For regulator-published verification, consult the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing, which maintains RN program outcome tables (filenames and reporting cycles can change—use the Board’s “Nursing Education Programs” navigation).
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (PA DOS consolidated BSN row) | 92.91% (354 / 381, Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 testing year, leftmost column of the 2024–2025 workbook). Row text in the PDF reads Pennylvania State University BSN (Commonwealth spelling). |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (college fact sheet) | 97% (2023 first-time test takers, school-reported aggregate) |
| NCLEX-RN (General BSN FAQs snapshot) | 93% Penn State rate cited alongside 88% national rate linked to NCSBN documentation in FAQ text—confirm cohort year and population with the college |
| Source | Board workbook: 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet (PDF); hub: nursing education programs. School: Nese College fact sheet (PDF, Aug. 13, 2024); General BSN FAQs. Confirm current rates with the Board and the college. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and campus aggregation. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and Penn State nursing program officials before making application 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 Penn State Undergraduate Admissions, World Campus (if online), the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, 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. Second Degree materials note additional transcript translation steps and encourage very early application for international academic records. Verify the latest rules with Penn State and the Board.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Penn State runs centralized undergraduate admission through Undergraduate Admissions—the Nese College does not separately “vote” on files, though nursing sets program rules (prerequisite sciences, immunizations, background checks, laptop requirement, and no mid-program campus changes). General BSN applicants are evaluated for competitive high school coursework, while Second Degree applicants must complete anatomy & physiology, nutrition, stats, microbiology, chemistry, and developmental psychology prerequisites with grades of C or better by published deadlines.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional BSN (first-year) | December 1 (nursing program deadline) | Early decision encouraged November 1; fall-only entry per General BSN FAQs |
| Second Degree BSN | Materials due December 1; window August 1–December 1 | Rolling review for GPAs ≥3.25; lower GPAs reviewed in January/February per Second Degree page |
| Transfer into four-year BSN (Commonwealth) | Align with campus transfer deadlines | Entrance-to-major rules require prior science credits; University Park not open to ≥18-credit transfers per General BSN table |
| RN-BSN / MSN / DNP (World Campus) | Varies by term | Consult World Campus academic calendar; graduate nursing uses rolling admission patterns typical of Penn State Online programs |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Admissions volume | College cites >4,000 applications with targets of 160 University Park + 300 other campus BSN seats (typical year wording) |
| GPA context | Fact sheet lists middle-50% high school GPA 3.65–3.94 (University Park) and 3.15–3.81 (other nursing campuses) for summer/fall 2024 admits |
| Second Degree GPA thresholds | Preferred ≥3.25 for rolling review; 2.75–3.249 reviewed in January; below 2.75 generally not eligible per Second Degree page |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on General BSN or Second Degree pages reviewed; confirm with Undergraduate Admissions if policy changes |
| Clinical readiness | Vaccination, background check, drug screen, liability insurance, laptop, and transportation requirements detailed in General BSN FAQs |
Hershey housing is limited and meal plans are not bundled—budget groceries, parking, and apartment costs if you draw a Hershey year. Students must supply transportation to clinical sites starting spring of year two.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Tuition bands below come directly from Penn State’s published 2025 fall schedules (rates shown combine fall + spring academic-year columns). Penn State bills lower-division rates until students cross 59.1 earned credits, then upper-division major rates apply—nursing majors at University Park use the explicit Nursing Program row once upper division. Add technology, student-initiated, and program fees plus room, board, uniforms, ATI subscriptions, immunizations, and travel.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| University Park — upper-division Nursing Program (2025-26) | $26,252 per academic year (PA resident); $50,630 (non-PA)—tuition only, full-time fall + spring columns on tuition.psu.edu |
| University Park — lower division (pre-junior) | $20,468 (PA) / $42,860 (non-PA) per academic year before nursing upper-division band applies |
| Altoona / Behrend / Harrisburg campus band (full-time undergrad) | Published 2025-26 tables list multiple upper-division rows by major category—run the tuition calculator with your admit campus for Second Degree BSN or transfer BSN |
| World Campus graduate (“All Other Programs” band) | $24,896 per academic year at published full-time graduate rate or $1,037 per credit part-time (2025-26 schedule) |
| Clinical & academic extras (college estimate) | General BSN FAQs cite NURSING students should budget roughly $5,000+ over the program for textbooks, uniforms, ATI, immunizations, background checks, and other clinical compliance costs—confirm with the Prospective Student packet |
| Source | tuition.psu.edu tuition schedules; Tuition calculator; General BSN FAQs. Confirm with the Office of Student Aid. |
Penn State’s federal school code is 003329. The Nese College advertises FAFSA-based scholarships primarily from the sophomore year forward plus external opportunities—see the college financial aid pages linked from nursing.psu.edu.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Penn State’s footprint across Penn State Health, community hospitals, and national partners described in college marketing positions graduates for hospital, ambulatory, public health, and military careers—still, verify placement or salary figures only when the school publishes audited outcomes for your pathway.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate | 92.91% (354/381) per PA DOS 2024–2025 BSN row (Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column). College fact sheet: 97% (2023). General BSN FAQs: 93% vs cited national rate—confirm cohort definitions before benchmarking |
| Clinical hours (pre-licensure) | General BSN FAQs cite nearly 900 clinical hours before graduation |
| Job placement / salary | Not publicly disclosed in the sources cited for this guide; use the Nursing Career Fair, Penn State career services, and alumni mentoring data referenced on nursing.psu.edu |
| Source | College fact sheet (PDF); General BSN FAQs; confirm licensure outcomes with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing |
Is Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
Penn State Nursing suits students seeking a major research university brand, optional Hershey-era intensity, and strong in-state tuition if you are a Pennsylvania resident at a Commonwealth campus. It is less ideal if you need a single small cohort in one metro or cannot relocate to Hershey or commute long clinical distances.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a traditional BSN tied to Penn State Health’s quaternary assets and optional THON service learning highlighted by the college.
- Thrive in structured pathways (fixed campus, lottery-based Hershey timing) and accept transportation responsibility after year two.
- Are second-degree seekers needing a 16-month ABSN cohort at Altoona, Harrisburg, or Behrend.
- Need online MSN/DNP/RN-BSN flexibility through World Campus while staying inside a Penn State degree ecosystem.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Cannot spend a required year in Hershey if admitted to University Park nursing.
- Expect to swap Penn State campuses mid-program—campus changes are prohibited once nursing starts.
- Want a fully online, never-on-ground pre-licensure BSN (World Campus does not replace clinical-heavy BSN pathways).
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Penn State nursing students encounter different ecosystems depending on campus: University Park leverages Centre County hospitals plus the flagship Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center (adult/pediatric Level I trauma) during the required Hershey year, while Commonwealth sites pull from regional medically underserved and rural facilities across Pennsylvania.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center | Tertiary academic medical center serving as the anchor for University Park nursing students during their mandated Hershey year(s). |
| Mount Nittany Medical Center | Named in General BSN FAQs as an example clinical affiliate near University Park. |
| Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital | Example community hospital rotation cited by the college’s clinical site list. |
| UPMC Altoona | Illustrative site for students training out of the Altoona campus. |
| Philhaven / The Meadows Psychiatric Center | Behavioral-health placement examples noted in Penn State nursing FAQs. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
University Park nursing students take classes and simulations in the Nursing Sciences Building before branching into specialty labs (critical care, pediatrics, maternity, home care) described in General BSN FAQs. THON medication administration, embedded global experiences, and student groups such as CONAm ambassadors or The Art of NurSing choir add signature Penn State traditions. Commonwealth campuses pair smaller college environments with Nittany Lion spirit, while Hershey-year students live in apartment-style housing within walking distance of the medical center. Graduate nursing through World Campus stays online-forward with advisers aligned to the Nese College.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Dean’s office (primary)
- University Park, PA
- Address
- 201 Nursing Sciences Building, 235 E. College Ave., University Park, PA 16802, US
- Telephone
- Dean: 814-863-0245 · Undergrad advising: 814-863-2229 · Graduate advising: 814-865-0368
- nursing@psu.edu
- Undergraduate Admissions
- 814-865-5471 · admissions@psu.edu
- Website
- nursing.psu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the college fact sheet (PDF) and skim the General BSN FAQs for Hershey logistics.
- Map prerequisite science courses against your transcripts (Second Degree) or high school science progress (first-year BSN).
- Create a MyPennState account and note the December 1 nursing deadline.
- Run the official tuition calculator with your residency and intended campus.
- Register for a Second Degree information session if ABSN is your target (see nursing.psu.edu events).
- Email nursing@psu.edu with campus-specific questions after reviewing posted FAQs.
- Bookmark the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for future NCLEX reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing offer?
Per the college fact sheet and program pages: Traditional BSN (University Park with Hershey year, plus Altoona, Behrend/Erie, Schuylkill, Scranton); Second Degree BSN at Altoona, Harrisburg, and Behrend; RN to BSN through World Campus; online MSN (Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator) and DNP (leadership and NP options); PhD and BSN-to-PhD pathways with dual-title options; post-graduate NP certificate; undergraduate and graduate nursing certificates. Confirm tracks on nursing.psu.edu.
What is Penn State nursing’s NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate?
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet lists the consolidated Penn State BSN row at 92.91% first-time (354/381) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 (leftmost column; PDF label Pennylvania State University BSN). The August 2024 college fact sheet cites 97% for 2023, and General BSN FAQs cite 93% with a national comparison—confirm which figure matches your campus with the college.
How much is Penn State nursing tuition in 2025-26?
tuition.psu.edu lists University Park upper-division Nursing Program tuition of $26,252 per academic year for PA residents and $50,630 for non-PA residents (full-time fall + spring, tuition only). Lower-division years, Commonwealth campuses, and World Campus graduate rates use different rows—use the official tuition calculator.
Does Penn State offer an accelerated BSN (ABSN)?
Yes—Accelerated BSN (ABSN) is Penn State’s Second Degree BSN: 16 months, 60 credits, cohort-based at Altoona, Harrisburg, and Erie (Behrend), per the Second Degree program page.
Where is Penn State’s traditional BSN offered?
General BSN FAQs list University Park (including a required year at Hershey), Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Schuylkill, and Scranton. Students may not change nursing campuses after enrollment.
When are Penn State nursing application deadlines?
General BSN: December 1 (November 1 early decision recommended). Second Degree BSN: August 1–December 1 application window with all materials due December 1. Verify each cycle on nursing.psu.edu and admissions.psu.edu.
Is Penn State nursing CCNE-accredited?
The General BSN FAQs state CCNE accreditation for the BSN program and list CCNE contact information. Confirm MSN/DNP coverage with CCNE directories and nursing.psu.edu.
Does Penn State require the TEAS for pre-licensure BSN applicants?
The General BSN and Second Degree pages reviewed for this guide do not specify TEAS. Confirm any updated testing policy with Undergraduate Admissions (admissions@psu.edu).
What is the Hershey requirement for University Park BSN students?
University Park nursing students must complete a required academic year at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; timing (third year, fourth year, or both) uses a survey/lottery process, with an optional 2+2 Hershey selection beginning with the 2025 application cycle.
Where should international Penn State nursing applicants start?
File transcripts through Undergraduate Admissions, meet any English-proficiency rules, and—for Second Degree—anticipate longer international transcript review (the program suggests applying by early September for some cases). Confirm visa and clinical eligibility with Penn State Global and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
References
- Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing — homepagenursing.psu.edu
- College fact sheet (PDF, Aug. 13, 2024)Fact sheet PDF
- General BSN Program FAQsGeneral BSN FAQs
- Second Degree BSN (Accelerated) program pageSecond Degree program
- Campus locations — Nese CollegeCampus directory
- Penn State tuition schedulestuition.psu.edu
- University Park rates (2025 fall)UP undergraduate tuition table
- Pennsylvania Department of State — State Board of Nursingdos.pa.gov/nursing
- 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 program-list accuracy, Penn State catalog and tuition.psu.edu alignment, and NCLEX figures as stated on nursing.psu.edu versus Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing verification guidance.
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 State Board of Nursing.
Published: March 31, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy