Vermont State University (Castleton campus) Nursing: What to Know (2026)
Castleton is a campus of Vermont State University (VTSU). This guide focuses on the four-year, pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing based in Castleton—plus practical nursing, the associate RN pathway, and online RN-BSN/MSN options elsewhere in the VTSU system—with tuition and NCLEX figures taken from official VTSU/Castleton pages.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Vermont State locates its four-year, pre-licensure BSN in Castleton, with In-Person Plus delivery, regional clinical affiliates (including Rutland Regional and Dartmouth Hitchcock), and a published NCLEX history on the program page—useful if you want a public bachelor’s nursing pathway centered on Rutland County and the southern Green Mountains.
Overview & Why Students Choose Castleton
Castleton University is the historic brand for Vermont State University’s Castleton campus—part of the unified Vermont State University system formed in 2023. Nursing students who choose Castleton enroll through VTSU and follow VTSU nursing policies, but the only Vermont State campus that hosts the traditional, four-year pre-licensure B.S.N. is Castleton—making this location the hub for that degree.
The B.S.N. is delivered as In-Person Plus: face-to-face classes combined with scheduled or flexible remote work in a learning management system. VTSU emphasizes affordability for Vermonters (including the Free Tuition Guarantee for qualified residents), scholarships such as Trailblazer and Better Together, and clinical learning that reaches beyond Vermont into New Hampshire and New York at partner hospitals.
Vermont State’s Castleton B.S.N. page publishes a three-year table for pre-licensure BSN NCLEX pass rates: 100% (2024), 92.98% (2023), and 94.59% (2022). VTSU news releases have also highlighted strong aggregate BSN and ladder-program NCLEX performance. Always confirm the latest cohort with the program and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation — Nursing.
Reasons students choose Castleton / VTSU nursing
Single home for the four-year BSN
VTSU places its residential-style, four-year pre-licensure B.S.N. on the Castleton campus—clear geography if you want that program in southern Vermont.
Named regional clinical affiliates
Official materials cite acute-care placements such as Rutland Regional Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, UVM Medical Center, and Southwestern Vermont Health Care.
Simulation plus 600+ clinical hours
The B.S.N. page states more than 600 hours of clinical experience alongside campus nursing simulation environments.
Transparent tuition disclosure
The program page posts 2026–27 BSN tuition and fee figures, housing/food estimates, and links to the full tuition schedule—helpful for Vermont resident vs. out-of-state planning.
CCNE-accredited BSN pathway
The Castleton-page accreditation statement lists CCNE accreditation for the baccalaureate program and Vermont State Board of Nursing approval.
Nursing Programs Offered
All credentials below are offered through Vermont State University. Castleton’s distinctive role is hosting the four-year pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing; other VTSU sites host additional steps on the career ladder, while RN-BSN and MSN are delivered online.
Pre-licensure (entry to RN)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)
Four-year In-Person Plus program at Castleton. Includes prerequisites, junior/senior nursing courses (e.g., adult health, pediatrics, OB, psych mental health, leadership), a capstone, and NCLEX preparation. Eligible for NCLEX-RN after graduation.
Practical Nursing Certificate
Short certificate preparing students for NCLEX-PN. Castleton is one of many VTSU locations; check the practical nursing page for seat availability and format at this campus.
Associate of Science in Nursing (A.S.) — ADN pathway
VTSU awards the Associate of Science in Nursing for current LPNs advancing toward RN licensure. Castleton appears on the instructional-site list alongside other campuses; confirm whether your cohort meets primarily in Castleton or another hub.
Post-licensure
RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (online completion)
Fully online BSN for licensed RNs, with local precepted experiences. Not the same as the Castleton four-year BSN, but part of the same university if you return as a working nurse.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.)
VTSU describes an online MSN with concentrations such as Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator. Application cycles (for example, fall 2026) are posted on the MSN program page.
VTSU also describes a 1+1+2 ladder (PN → A.S. nursing → online BSN). If you are considering that model, confirm which years you would spend in Castleton versus other sites. We do not list a separate ABSN for Castleton in current public materials.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the pre-licensure BSN NCLEX pass-rate table published on Vermont State University’s Castleton B.S.N. program page, recent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for that BSN track were 100% (calendar year 2024), 92.98% (2023), and 94.59% (2022). Those figures are institution-reported on the program page, not independently re-calculated here.
VTSU communications (for example, a spring 2025 university news release aggregated across nursing programs) described a 100% first-time pass rate for a recent pre-licensure BSN cohort with a stated tester count. Use that layer for context, but rely on the Castleton program table for year-by-year BSN history.
For Vermont regulatory perspective and any Board-published school-level tables, start with the Vermont Secretary of State — Office of Professional Regulation, Nursing. Policies and public reports can change by publication cycle.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Pre-licensure BSN — 2024 | 100% first-time pass rate (program page table) |
| Pre-licensure BSN — 2023 | 92.98% (program page table) |
| Pre-licensure BSN — 2022 | 94.59% (program page table) |
| Source (school) | Castleton B.S.N. program page — “Pass Rates” |
| Source (regulator) | Vermont OPR — Nursing (licensure; confirm whether pass-rate tables are posted for your review year) |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting definition (first-time vs. all testers). Confirm the latest statistics with Vermont State University’s nursing office and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
The Castleton B.S.N. page states the program is eligible for international students requiring an F-1 visa. That does not replace school-specific English scores, financial certification, or clinical-placement rules—treat the bullets below as a checklist, not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Confirm minimum TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo (or equivalent) scores with VTSU’s international admissions team.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Ask which evaluation service Vermont State requires for secondary or post-secondary records.
- Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Nursing): For NCLEX-RN eligibility after a U.S. nursing degree, follow Vermont’s application instructions for graduates of approved programs; internationally educated applicants without a Vermont program may need CGFNS or additional steps.
- Immigration & visa maintenance: Clinical courses may impose background checks, health screens, and travel limits that interact with visa status—coordinate early with both International Programs and the nursing department.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Vermont State University’s international admissions office and the Vermont OPR Nursing team.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Vermont State handles admissions centrally, but nursing has program-specific progression rules. First-year students apply to the university, complete science prerequisites, then petition or progress into upper-division nursing courses depending on the pathway. Read the full progression and grading policy on the B.S.N. page because several nursing courses require B- classroom grades and a Pass in clinical, with dismissal rules after repeated unsuccessful attempts.
High school applicants to Nursing, B.S.N. need a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher with strong math/science performance. Transfer students need a cumulative college GPA of 2.8 or higher. Sciences must fall within 10 years prior to admission. Students must maintain a 2.8 cumulative GPA while in the major, earn B- or higher in required nursing courses, and C+ or higher in other math/science courses. Graduation requires at least a 2.8 overall GPA. Criminal background checks and drug screening are required for matriculation.
The published materials we reviewed do not list TEAS or HESI for the BSN row on VTSU’s program-admission grid—rely on the live page for any exam added for your entry term.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Launch date (example) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (First-Year / Transfer) | August 24, 2026 (listed on B.S.N. page) | Nursing application deadlines are not quoted here; confirm the priority vs. final date with Admissions@VermontState.edu. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum high-school GPA (BSN) | 3.0 cumulative (VTSU program requirements grid) |
| Minimum transfer GPA (BSN) | 2.8 cumulative (VTSU program requirements grid) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed on the Nursing, B.S.N. row as of the 2026 review; confirm for your cycle |
| Clinical clearance | Criminal background check & drug screening required before enrollment |
Applicant tips
Because grades below B- in nursing theory/clinical can stop progression, treat every prerequisite and early nursing course as part of your “admissions portfolio.” Document health-care exposure (volunteer, CNA work, EMS) in conversations with counselors. If you are a transfer student, map science recency early—courses older than 10 years must be refreshed.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Figures below come directly from the 2026–27 block on Vermont State University’s Castleton B.S.N. program page. They cover tuition labeled for the nursing major plus typical undergraduate fees; housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses are separate line items students must budget with financial aid counselors.
| Metric | Value (2026–27, program page) |
|---|---|
| Nursing B.S.N. tuition (in-state) | $16,368 full-time annual · $682 per credit |
| Nursing B.S.N. tuition (out-of-state) | $28,584 full-time annual · $1,191 per credit |
| Institutional fees (undergraduate In-Person / In-Person Plus) | $1,704 full-time annual · $71 per credit |
| Standard housing (annual) | $8,682 (standard) or $5,782 (alternate plan referenced on page) |
| Standard food plan | See program page dining line item for 2026–27 amount |
| Scholarships / programs mentioned | Trailblazer, Better Together, Free Tuition Guarantee (qualified Vermonters), International Student Scholarship, Good Neighbor Tuition (beginning FA26 for eligible neighboring counties) |
| Source | Castleton B.S.N. — Affordability and Castleton admission tuition & fees |
Not publicly disclosed in the materials reviewed: a single standardized “total cost of attendance” number that applies to every student—use the financial aid office’s net-price tools for your situation.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Rural New England hospitals continue to recruit graduate nurses; Vermont State emphasizes that many alumni remain in-state, but any placement percentage should come from an official consumer-information or outcomes report—we did not locate a single audited “employment within six months” statistic specific to Castleton BSN on the pages consulted for this update.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN (pre-licensure BSN) | 100% (2024), 92.98% (2023), 94.59% (2022) per Castleton B.S.N. pass-rate table |
| Clinical hours (BSN) | “More than 600 hours” of clinical experience (program page) |
| Reported regional employers | Rutland Regional Medical Center, SVHC, Porter Medical Center, UVM Medical Center, Gifford, Dartmouth Hitchcock, Central Vermont Medical Center, plus schools and home-health agencies (program page) |
| Job placement rate | Not publicly disclosed on the pages reviewed; ask the career office for graduate survey data |
Is Castleton the Right Fit for You?
Choose Castleton if you want the Vermont State four-year BSN specifically, can thrive in a blended In-Person Plus format, and appreciate living in a smaller town between Rutland and the New York border. Pass on it if you need a fully online pre-licensure program, a big-city clinical ecosystem without travel, or an accelerated second-degree BSN that the institution is not currently marketing.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Value a public, CCNE-accredited BSN with published NCLEX history.
- Want clinical rotations that routinely reach Rutland, Burlington, and New Hampshire’s major academic medical center.
- Prefer small-campus culture with outdoor recreation (lakes, ski areas) within an hour’s drive.
- Can meet rigid nursing grade benchmarks (B- in nursing coursework, etc.).
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Require a large urban campus or exclusively on-campus lecture delivery.
- Need a part-time or nights/weekends pre-licensure BSN (not described on the Castleton page).
- Expect a guaranteed clinical site in every single semester without travel.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Castleton sits in Rutland County, so many clinical rotations center on Rutland Regional Medical Center and Southwestern Vermont Health Care, with supplemental experiences at tertiary centers such as the University of Vermont Medical Center and Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (Lebanon, NH). Long-term care, schools, public health departments, and home-health agencies provide community-based hours that mirror how Vermont delivers rural nursing care.
| Facility / sector | Role for VTSU nursing students |
|---|---|
| Rutland Regional Medical Center | Acute-care experiences linked from the B.S.N. clinical-affiliate list |
| Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center | Northern New England tertiary referral center for high-acuity learning |
| University of Vermont Medical Center | Burlington academic medical center exposures |
| Southwestern Vermont Health Care | Regional hospital network based in Bennington County |
| Community partners | Vermont Department of Health, VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region, schools, clinics |
Student Experience & Campus Life
VTSU’s Castleton campus blends a historic Vermont college atmosphere with modern science and nursing facilities. Nursing students practice in simulation laboratories before entering hospitals, and the broader campus hosts more than four dozen active clubs—plenty of room for pre-health volunteering, student government, or outdoor programs. Housing includes traditional halls and suite-style options; dining centers rotate menus with dietary accommodations. Campus life information is centralized on Vermont State’s Castleton campus hub (housing, dining, Spartan athletics, Casella Theater, and student activities).
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Castleton, VT
- Campus address (GPS)
- 86 Seminary Street, Castleton, VT 05735, US
- Admissions phone
- 888-398-VTSU (888-398-8878)
- Admissions email
- Admissions@VermontState.edu
- Websites
- Castleton campus site · Vermont State University
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Read the Castleton B.S.N. page end-to-end, especially progression policies and the degree map.
- Open the catalog program preview linked from that page and compare courses to your transcripts.
- Bookmark program admission requirements; screenshot the Nursing, B.S.N. row for your advising folder.
- Email Admissions@VermontState.edu with questions about In-Person Plus expectations and clinical travel.
- Estimate net cost using the tuition table plus financial aid resources.
- Follow up with Vermont licensing questions on the Vermont OPR Nursing site if you are an international applicant.
- Add the stated fall start date to your calendar and work backward to meet any priority application milestones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Castleton University the same institution as Vermont State University for nursing?
Yes—Castleton is now a campus of Vermont State University. You apply through VTSU admissions, earn a Vermont State degree, and follow VTSU School of Nursing policies even though many students still say “Castleton.”
What first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate does Vermont State publish for the Castleton pre-licensure BSN?
The Castleton B.S.N. program page lists 100% (2024), 92.98% (2023), and 94.59% (2022) in its pre-licensure BSN table. Confirm newer cohorts with the School of Nursing and Vermont OPR.
Does Castleton / Vermont State require the TEAS exam for nursing?
The Nursing, B.S.N. row on Vermont State’s published program-admission grid does not mention TEAS or HESI—only GPA benchmarks, science recency, grades, and clearances. Re-check the live page each cycle because exams can be added.
What GPAs does Vermont State expect for the Castleton BSN?
Prospective freshmen need a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0; transfers need a 2.8 college GPA. Continuing students must stay at 2.8 cumulative and meet nursing-course grade minimums described on the program page.
How much is nursing tuition at Castleton for 2026–27?
The program page cites $16,368 annual in-state tuition for the BSN ($682/credit) and $28,584 out-of-state ($1,191/credit), plus $1,704 in typical undergraduate fees—before housing and meals.
Where will I do clinicals if I attend the Castleton BSN?
Expect rotations throughout Vermont and occasionally western New Hampshire or eastern New York. Published examples include Rutland Regional, Dartmouth Hitchcock, UVM Medical Center, and Southwestern Vermont Health Care, plus community partners.
Does Castleton offer an accelerated second-degree BSN?
Current public materials emphasize the traditional four-year BSN plus ladder pathways—not a standalone ABSN marketed on the Castleton overview. If that changes, it will appear on the official VTSU program list.
What graduate nursing options exist after I finish the Castleton BSN?
VTSU offers an online MSN (for example, Clinical Nurse Leader or Nurse Educator tracks per the nursing hub). Application windows rotate—read the MSN page for fall 2026 readiness.
References
- Vermont State University — Castleton B.S.N. (tuition, NCLEX table, progression)castleton.edu/…/nursing
- Vermont State University — Nursing programs overviewvermontstate.edu/nursing-programs
- Vermont State University — Program admission requirementsvermontstate.edu/admission/program-admission-requirements
- Castleton admission — Tuition & feescastleton.edu/admission/tuition-and-fees
- Vermont Secretary of State — Office of Professional Regulation, Nursingsos.vermont.gov/nursing
- VTSU news — NCLEX pass rates (May 2025 aggregate announcement)vermontstate.edu/news/…/nclex-pass-rates
- 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 alignment between on-page claims and the official Castleton B.S.N. program disclosure (tuition block, NCLEX table) plus Vermont State’s published admission grid.
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 Vermont State University and the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (Nursing).
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy