Westmoreland County Community College Nursing Program Review (2026): Programs, NCLEX & Requirements
Westmoreland County Community College offers a Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing–approved, ACEN-accredited Nursing A.A.S. that prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN—delivered on the Youngwood campus (daylight and evening) and with daylight coursework at the Indiana County center per Westmoreland’s nursing pages. Admission uses the NLN-NEX entrance exam (not TEAS). Pair this guide with westmoreland.edu/nursing and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Westmoreland’s checklist-based nursing admission centers on NLN-NEX testing, science prerequisites such as BIO 171 and CPT 150, and published application deadlines—with daylight cohorts starting in fall and evening cohorts in spring on Youngwood. Review the Student Nurse Handbook for progression and clinical compliance expectations.
Overview & Why Students Choose Westmoreland County Community College
Southwestern Pennsylvania’s clinical labor market—for example, hourly wage ranges Westmoreland publishes from Lightcast for the surrounding 10-county region—anchors why many students stay local for their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Westmoreland County Community College delivers a board-approved Nursing, AAS with daylight courses at Youngwood and Indiana County and an evening track Youngwood-only, pairing acute-care clinical scheduling with campus theory and labs per the college’s nursing pages.
Unlike programs that use the TEAS, Westmoreland’s Health Professions checklist specifies the NLN-NEX entrance exam, prerequisite grades (including BIO 171 and CPT 150 before entry), and firm March 1 / September 1 application deadlines for daylight versus evening starts. Licensed Pennsylvania LPNs can pursue Advanced Standing LPN to RN toward the same AAS credential.
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX workbook lists Westmoreland Co Community College ADN at 83.93% first-time (94 of 112 testers) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 (leftmost column). Westmoreland’s nursing program page separately lists 90% for 2024-2025, 91% for 2023-2024, and 91% for 2022-2023—reconcile college disclosures with the Board PDF before comparing schools.
Reasons students choose Westmoreland County Community College
ACEN continuing accreditation
ACEN’s public directory shows continuing accreditation for Westmoreland’s associate nursing program (latest commission action April 2025), alongside Pennsylvania Board of Nursing approval cited on westmoreland.edu.
Day, evening, and Indiana County access
Daylight cohorts run at Youngwood and Indiana County; the evening pathway is Youngwood-only, helping commuters balance acute shifts and class blocks.
NLN-NEX plus published fees
Applicants submit NLN-NEX scores (two attempts per year, 30-day wait) and pay the exam fee the college lists—currently $73.50 alongside nursing program fees on the nursing page.
BSN bridge partnerships
Westmoreland lists guided pathways to RN-to-BSN completion with partners such as Duquesne, Seton Hill Online, Slippery Rock, and WGU; verify course-for-course agreements before you enroll.
Nursing Programs Offered
Westmoreland’s catalog-driven Nursing, AAS is the college’s pre-licensure RN pathway; there is no standalone BSN at WCCC. Content below follows the general nursing page and LPN-to-RN page.
Pre-licensure
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Nursing, AAS — combines general education, sciences, and sequenced nursing courses for NCLEX-RN eligibility. Daylight students attend lectures/labs Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with hospital clinicals Wednesday and Friday; evening students follow a similar pattern with later start times on Youngwood.
Post-LPN pathway (same ADN credential)
Advanced Standing LPN to RN
Requires an active Pennsylvania practical nursing license; out-of-state LPNs must pursue endorsement through the Board before enrolling. Follow the LPN-to-RN checklist (PDF) for prerequisite and progression rules distinct from generic transfer students.
Westmoreland requires a laptop for all nursing courses and delivers exams through Examplify, which does not support Chromebook, Android, or Linux. Plan hardware purchases before your first nursing term.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Commonwealth’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet, Westmoreland County Community College ADN shows 83.93% first-time (94/112) in the Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column. Westmoreland’s nursing program page still lists 90% (2024-2025), 91% (2023-2024), and 91% (2022-2023) under its NCLEX heading—confirm whether those rows are first-time or all-tester counts.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass (PA DOS, Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | 83.93% (94 / 112) |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024-2025, school-reported) | 90% |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2023-2024, school-reported) | 91% |
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2022-2023, school-reported) | 91% |
| Source | Westmoreland County Community College — Nursing program; Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. Confirm current cohort data with both. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort. Always confirm the latest pass rates with the Pennsylvania 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 Westmoreland County 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 Westmoreland County Community College’s admissions and international office and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Westmoreland’s nursing program is selective: you must first become a college student, satisfy the Health Professions checklist, and complete NLN-NEX testing before deadlines. Students who finish early may receive offers before cutoff dates; those who qualify after seats fill enter a waitlist with guaranteed admission to the next matching cycle when space opens, according to the PDF checklist language.
Application timeline (checklist, July 2025)
| Program option | Application deadline | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional daylight (fall start) | March 1 | Acceptance notifications cited mid-March on the LPN-to-RN page for daylight cohorts. |
| Evening (spring start, Youngwood) | September 1 | Evening track is Youngwood-only; applicants must be age 18 by November 1 of the application year. |
| College + Health Professions app | Before nursing deadline | Submit transcripts, placement steps, NLN-NEX, and the Wufoo Health Professions Program Application linked from the checklist. |
Download the Nursing Program checklist (PDF) for the authoritative list (high-school biology/chemistry or BIO/CHM 107, ALEKS math placement, HS GPA thresholds vs. college GPA rules, BIO 171/CPT 150 prior to entry).
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Entrance exam | NLN-NEX required; highest of up to two attempts per year with a 30-day wait between attempts (checklist). |
| GPA thresholds | Varies by HS vs college credits (e.g., HS GPA 2.5+ with placement paths, 2.5+ college GPA with 15+ Westmoreland credits, or 3.0+ HS GPA for early acceptance—see checklist). |
| Courses before start | BIO 171 and CPT 150 with C or better prior to program entry. |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Westmoreland publishes 2025–26 tuition and fees (including summer 2026) on its Tuition and Fees page, with 2026–27 rates effective Fall 2026. Nursing-specific fees (lab, clinical placement, NCLEX prep, NLN-NEX estimate) appear on the nursing program page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Westmoreland County tuition (1–11 credits, 2025–26) | $143/credit + $72/credit general fee → $215 per credit in the published resident chart (1-credit row) |
| Out-of-county PA (2025–26) | $280 tuition + $70 general fee + $6 capital fee = $356/credit |
| Out-of-state (2025–26) | $420 tuition + $70 general + $6 capital = $496/credit |
| Flat rate (12–18 credits, county) | Tuition $2,145 with general fees scaling by credits (12-credit row totals $3,009 on Fall 2025 table) |
| 2026–27 (effective Fall 2026) | County: tuition $149/credit + general fee $75/credit (12–18 cr flat tuition $2,235). Out-of-county: $292 tuition + $73 general + $6 capital per credit ($4,376 flat 12–18). Out-of-state: $438 tuition + $73 general + $6 capital ($6,564 flat 12–18)—per Westmoreland Tuition and Fees page. |
| Source | Westmoreland — Tuition and Fees + nursing fee list. Confirm with the Bursar. |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Westmoreland posts NCLEX pass rates, program completion, and graduate employment figures on its nursing program page—use them as institutional disclosures, then confirm methodology with the college and licensure data with the Board.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024–2025) | 90% (school-reported on nursing page) |
| Program completion (2023–2024) | 77% (nursing page) |
| Graduate employment rate (2023–2024, school-reported) | Reported 98% on the nursing page; confirm how employment is defined with Westmoreland. |
| Source | Westmoreland County Community College — Nursing program; Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. |
Is Westmoreland County Community College the Right Fit for You?
Westmoreland fits students who want an ACEN-accredited, board-approved ADN in Southwestern Pennsylvania, can attend Youngwood or Indiana County classes, and are prepared for NLN-NEX, laptop/Examplify requirements, and hospital clinical blocks.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live in Westmoreland County and benefit from the lowest tuition tier, or commute to Youngwood/Indiana County reliably.
- Need evening theory on Youngwood while working days (clinical rotations still run Wednesday/Friday nights).
- Plan to bridge to a BSN later using the college’s published partner pathways.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a fully online pre-licensure nursing program (this track is campus- and hospital-based).
- Cannot secure a compatible Windows/Mac laptop for Examplify or meet clinical agency compliance rules in the handbook.
- Need a Philadelphia- or Harrisburg-centric program without commuting to Westmoreland’s sites.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The college sits west of Pittsburgh, serving Westmoreland, Indiana, and neighboring counties where large health systems such as UPMC and Independence Health System (Allegheny Health Network) operate acute-care hospitals, alongside community hospitals, post-acute centers, and rural clinics. Clinical rotations assign students to acute-care facilities with Wednesday/Friday blocks, so reliable transportation is essential.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Regional demand | Westmoreland’s nursing page cites regional wage ranges from Lightcast for RN occupations across a 10-county footprint; treat as context and verify openings independently. |
| Clinical assignments | Faculty assign acute-care clinicals; students must meet agency requirements coordinated through the program. |
| Next step | Ask the program office which facilities recent cohorts used and typical driving distances. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Youngwood campus clusters the Student Achievement Center, Health and Culinary Center, Science Innovation Center, and athletics venues referenced on westmoreland.edu. Nursing is a commuter-intensive program: expect full weekdays for daylight clinicals or late evenings on the night track.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary campus
- Youngwood, PA
- Main / achievement center address
- 145 Pavilion Lane, Youngwood, PA 15697, US
- General telephone
- +1 (724) 925-4000
- Nursing program office (ACEN listing)
- +1 (724) 925-4271
- Contact email
- snydersw@westmoreland.edu
- Website
- westmoreland.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Nursing checklist PDF and highlight prerequisites you still owe.
- Budget the NLN-NEX fee ($73.50 on the nursing page), schedule the exam, and submit scores before your deadline.
- Align transcripts with BIO 171, CPT 150, and placement rules in the checklist.
- Read the Student Nurse Handbook for clinical clearance and progression.
- Email or call the nursing office with questions about Indiana vs. Youngwood seating.
- Build a cost estimate using the tuition grid plus nursing surcharges.
- Bookmark the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing for future NCLEX and licensure steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Westmoreland County Community College use the TEAS for nursing?
No. The Health Professions checklist instructs you to complete the NLN-NEX entrance exam, submit scores to the college, and respect the two-attempt-per-year rule with a 30-day waiting period between tries.
What NCLEX-RN rates does Westmoreland publish?
The nursing page lists 90% for 2024–2025, 91% for 2023–2024, and 91% for 2022–2023. Confirm whether future tables distinguish first-time testers and validate with the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
When are Westmoreland nursing deadlines?
The PDF checklist shows March 1 for the daylight option and September 1 for the evening option. Submit the Health Professions application and transcripts before those dates.
What is the 2025–26 in-county per-credit cost?
Tuition is $143/credit plus a $72/credit general fee for county residents, which totals $215 for a single-credit line on the official chart—before labs or nursing surcharges.
Does Westmoreland offer LPN-to-RN advanced standing?
Yes. Pennsylvania LPNs follow the LPN-to-RN checklist and must hold (or obtain via endorsement) a PA practical nursing license.
Where will I attend class?
Daylight students go to Youngwood and Indiana County; evening nursing runs on Youngwood only, per Westmoreland’s LPN-to-RN detail page.
What employment outcome did Westmoreland report?
The nursing page states a graduate employment rate of 98% for 2023–2024 (school-reported). Ask the college how that figure is calculated and confirm with career services.
What laptop rules apply?
Westmoreland requires a laptop and proctored exams via Examplify, which excludes Chromebooks and Linux/Android devices.
Does Westmoreland award a BSN?
Not at the community college. Graduates earn the Nursing AAS and may transfer into partner BSN programs listed on the nursing page.
References
- Westmoreland County Community College — Nursing, AASwestmoreland.edu/…/nursing
- WCCC — Health Professions Nursing Checklist (PDF)hpac-nursing-25.pdf
- WCCC — Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees
- ACEN — Program directoryACEN: Westmoreland
- Pennsylvania 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/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 alignment with Westmoreland’s nursing program disclosures, official 2025–26 tuition tables, NLN-NEX checklist requirements, and ACEN directory data.
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