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Alabama Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide is designed to provide you with essential information on the many nursing programs available in the state of Alabama. The colleges and universities in Alabama allow students the opportunity to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree online or on campus, with concentrations spanning such areas as family psychiatry, community health, and children’s health. If you need a more flexible option to earning a nursing degree, you may want to consider an online program from such schools as the University of South Alabama.

    Quick Facts

    • 42 schools with nursing programs in Alabama are in our database (see below).
    • 26 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in nursing.1
    • 15 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing.1
    • 12 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in nursing.1
    • 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2
    • 1 school ranked in the Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors in 2018.3
    • 6 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 3 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Alabama

    Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

    • Auburn University (#69 in-state, #65 out-of-state)
    • University of Alabama (#48 in-state, #59 out-of-state)

    *Institution-wide ranking.

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

    • University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • University of Alabama-Birmingham (#8 tie)
    • Samford University (#78 tie)
    • University of Alabama-Huntsville (#117 tie)
    • Auburn University (#121 tie)
    • University of North Alabama (#183 tie)
    • Troy University-Montgomery (#210 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • University of Alabama-Birmingham (#8 tie)
    • Samford University (#58 tie)
    • University of Alabama-Huntsville (#117 tie)

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Alabama

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Alabama nursing schools on a variety of factors. Click on the arrows in the top row to sort the table. In addition to seeking a program that leads to licensure in your desired area of nursing, it’s advisable to consider accreditation as a factor in your decision. If you are considering education beyond the associate’s level, know that a degree from a school that holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a common requirement for admission to master’s degree, ADN/LVN and RN to BSN, and specialized certificate programs. You should also check to ensure that the school you are considering is approved or accepted by the Alabama Board of Nursing (https://www.abn.alabama.gov/).

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate^# TakingNet Price^^
    Auburn UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A93.5%154$21,457
    Auburn University MontgomeryNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A80.6%98$13,445
    Bevill State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN97.4%7886.7%158$7,570
    Bishop State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN82.1%2868.3%41$5,436
    Calhoun State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN91.3%2392.2%179$5,358
    Central Alabama Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN95%2072.3%47$5,798
    Chattahoochee Valley Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%678.3%23$1,287
    Coastal Alabama Community College (Formerly Alabama Southern)YesNoNoACEN97.2%3687.5%8$5,241
    Coastal Alabama Community College (Formerly Faulkner State)YesNoNoACEN100%2798.4%64$6,880
    Coastal Alabama Community College (Formerly Jefferson Davis)YesNoNoACENN/AN/A77.3%75$4,030
    Gadsden State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%6191.6%83$4,719
    George C. Wallace State Community College-DothanYesNoNoACEN92.7%9688.3%111$3,263
    George C. Wallace State Community College-HancevilleYesNoNoNo100%3291.9%149$6,468
    George C. Wallace State Community College-SelmaYesNoNoACEN86.7%3079.2%24$8,073
    Jacksonville State UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A90.9%110$12,492
    Jefferson State Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A84.8%237$9,113
    J.F Drake State Community and Technical CollegeYesNoNoNo89.2%37N/AN/A$7,676
    Lawson State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%25100.0%21N/A
    Lurleen B. Wallace State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN89.7%2976.9%26$7,015
    Northeast Alabama Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN84.2%1986.1%36$3,117
    Northwest Shoals Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN100%1589.1%64$6,246
    Oakwood UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A77.8%18$26,932
    Reid State Technical CollegeYesNoNoNo81.8%44N/AN/A$4,096
    Samford UniversityNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A92.5%93$28,578
    Shelton State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN95.5%6691%67$8,847
    Snead State Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/A97.3%37$5,879
    Southern Union State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN93.5%3182.6%121$7,325
    Spring Hill CollegeNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A100%15$20,376
    Trenholm State Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN85.2%27N/AN/A$7,118
    Troy University-MontgomeryYesYesYesNoN/AN/A87%77$9,350
    Troy University-TroyYesYesYesACENN/AN/A98.3%59$9,350
    Tuskegee UniversityNoYesNoACENN/AN/A87%23$28,497
    University of AlabamaNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A95.2%187$18,814
    University of Alabama at BirminghamNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A96.7%271$15,772
    University of Alabama in HuntsvilleNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A84.3%172$13,737
    University of MobileNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/AN/AN/A$20,214
    University of North AlabamaNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A85.3%102$10,848
    University of South AlabamaNoYesYesCCNEN/AN/A85.3%273$13,284
    University of West AlabamaYesNoNoACENN/AN/A88%25$12,884
    Wallace State Community CollegeYesNoNoACENN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A

    *The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredits ADN/ASN/BSN programs. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredits BSN/MSN/DNP programs.5,6
    **NCLEX-PN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing for the fiscal year between October 2015 and September 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^NCLEX-RN pass rates reported are for first-time undergraduates testing for the fiscal year between October 2015 and September 2016.7 You can compare these pass rates to the national average through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
    ^^The National Center for Education Statistics calculates net price from the total estimated cost of attendance, including includes tuition, books, room and board, and other expenses, for in-state students minus the average financial aid award (such as grants and scholarships).

    Schools in Alabama with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Gadsden State Community College
    Gadsden State Community college offers an associate’s degree in nursing that can be completed on the school’s Cherokee, Wallace Drive, or McClellan campuses. Admission to the program is competitive and is based on such factors as a prospective student’s GPA, ACT score, and completion of prerequisite courses. Once admitted to the nursing program students complete courses such as Evidence Based Clinical Reasoning, Advanced Nursing Concepts, and Anatomy and Physiology. Clinical placements are also completed as part of the curriculum. Graduates earn the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Gadsden State’s nursing program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

    Wallace Community College
    The nursing program at Wallace Community College was founded in 1969 and today offers three flexible tracks for students interested in earning an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN): a traditional daytime track, an evening and weekend track, and an LPN to RN mobility track. Core nursing courses include Introduction to Pharmacology, Adult Nursing, and Maternal and Child Nursing. Students additionally complete extensive laboratory and clinical experience. Completion of the program leads to the award of an associate in applied science in nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for RN licensure in Alabama. Wallace Community College’s ADN program is approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing and holds accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    University of Alabama
    The University of Alabama allows students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The four-year undergraduate program requires students to complete core college requirements – such as math and English – during the first two years of study before gaining admittance to the nursing major. The nursing curriculum encompasses a wide range of topics including medication calculation, pharmacology, childbearing families, and community health. Nursing majors may network and become active in the college community by joining the Association of Nursing Students. Academically eligible students may also want to apply for membership to Sigma Theta Tau, an international honor society for nursing students. Graduates with a BSN are eligible to earn licensure as a registered nurse.

    University of North Alabama
    The University of North Alabama confers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to students who successfully complete the four-year, 128 credit program. The first two years of the undergraduate program require nursing majors to complete general college requirements before entering the major for the final two years. In addition to completing core nursing coursework, nursing majors will also gain valuable field experience through an internship and independent study. The BSN program covers a wide range of nursing topics, including health and aging, maternity nursing, pediatric nursing, mental health nursing, and pharmacology. Honors nursing students will round out their studies with a senior capstone project.

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    Jacksonville State University
    Jacksonville State University features a 38 credit graduate program leading to the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on community health nursing. Students may attend on a part-time or a full-time basis and generally, will choose a vulnerable segment of the population – such as infants, the elderly and those with HIV – on which to concentrate their studies. The program requires four core courses, which students will complete online with the remainder of courses completed on campus. Graduates of the program are generally eligible to earn national certification as an advanced public health nurse. Applicants to the program must already hold a bachelor’s degree and possess a current registered nursing license. Students may begin the program in the fall, in the spring, or in the summer.

    University of South Alabama
    The University of South Alabama affords graduate students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) by completing courses online and engaging in clinical experiences close to the student’s home. The program allows students to follow one of two tracks: the nurse practitioner track and the non-practitioner track. Within the nurse practitioner track, graduate students may concentrate in one of seven areas, including women’s health, adult gerontological, pediatric primary care, and family psychiatric. The non-practitioner option is for those students who want to work as a clinical nurse leader, clinical nurse specialist, or executive nurse administrator.

    Student Reviews

    Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

    Auburn University
    Auburn, AL 36849
    (334) 844-4000
    https://www.auburn.edu/

    Student Review: “Nursing school has probably been the most challenging time of my life. Let me explain my alumn experience while cursing Auburn University. Being organized has helped me a lot—there’s so much going on with my kids and assignments so it really helps me know what’s coming up and what I need to do to be ready, It also lets me work ahead so I don’t feel like I’m drowning. The most difficult thing for me about nursing school was waiting for my turn in the end-of-rotation clinical evaluation line. I was always worried that a clinical instructor was going to ding me for some fault that I was unaware of and hadn’t corrected, and that this would go into my permanent record. Fortunately, my instructors were reasonably fair- but waiting for my turn was hard. It also was hard waiting and studying while my friends from my previous round of college were buying cars and travelling. Had to keep my mind on the ultimate goal of qualifying for a worthwhile profession.” – Student at Auburn University
    stars-4

    Coastal Alabama Community College (formerly Alabama Southern Community College)
    1900 US-31
    Bay Minette, AL 36507
    (800) 381-3722
    https://www.coastalalabama.edu/

    Student Review: “Alabama Southern is one of the best schools for nursing programs. The first week of enrollment was very challenging and intimidating. I quickly learned that this school program is unpredictable and each day is a different learning experience. The staff was extremely helpful from the begging and guided me through all the paperwork I had to submit. The campus itself is great. The teachers have become my mentors and have helped me overcome fears and obstacles. One of my teachers even offered me an internship in her own private office. The best thing about this school is that from the very begging you are thought how to be very independent yet always ready to help someone. The teachers are always encouraging us to work in groups.” – Student at Alabama Southern Community College
    stars-4

    Gadsden State Community College
    1001 George Wallace Dr
    Gadsden, AL 35903
    (256) 549-8200
    https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/

    Student Review: “My experience was absolutely incredible. I loved every minute of it. Everything from class to being in clinicals were wonderful. Dont get me wrong it was hard. No doubt it was extremely challenging but it was so worth it. At the beginning i was skeptical about the program it being a community college. I was blown away when i realized how it is. It was so informal and all the professors were very interactive. If i ever had a problem or a concern they would assist. Being a smaller class it was much easier and more hands on. I am so glad i chose this college and i will definitely recommend to others.” – Student at Gadsden State Community College
    stars-5

    J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College
    3421 Meridian St N
    Huntsville, AL 35811
    (256) 539-8161
    https://drakestate.edu/

    Student Review: “J.F Drake State Community and Technical College was a life changing experience for me, it had its ups and downs. The curriculum was challenging, but there were two professors from the LPN program that can over help teach program, when they did the program got very easy and understandable. I felt that I learned a Lot that I can apply to my future career. The professors were very approachable and most held office hours and after class session during the week so I and other fellow classmates could ask questions about concepts that I and other classmates didn’t understand. The program has pinning ceremonies every year. On my last semester I had the chance to get hands on experience through assign doctor office. On my first day of clinical it was a little nerve wrecking, because I had a nurse that didn’t like to train others, so basically I observe and learn. After couple days went by the nurse was shocked that I caught on super fast. With all this life changing event I still was able to pass my certification. The one aspect of the program that I felt could be improved is more hands on training.” – Student at Drake State Community and Technical College
    stars-3

    Sandhills Community College
    3395 Airport Rd
    Pinehurst, NC 28374
    (910) 692-6185
    https://www.sandhills.edu/

    Student Review: “I completed the Associates in Applied Science: Registered Nursing degree at Sandhills Community college in 2015. The nursing program was full of hands on learning experiences during the first year that allowed me to practice my skill in an environment that allowed for guidance and support prior to working with actual patients. During the second year, patient care experiences in hospitals and community nursing care environments provided the opportunity to match skill sets gained in hands-on lab courses with real-world application. The class sizes are small and the instructors care about each student that they send out as graduates in the nursing field. I would recommend this college and course of study to anyone looking to give back to the community in the field of healthcare.” – Student at Sandhills Community College
    stars-5

    University of North Alabama
    1 Harrison Plaza
    Florence, AL 35632
    (256) 765-4100
    https://www.una.edu/

    Student Review: “I attended nursing school at the University of North Alabama and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing in 2007. This was the greatest accomplishments of my life. Nursing school was very hard, but the staff at UNA made it the very best it could be. The professors were strict but fair. The classes were extremely difficult and each instructor was willing to answer any question I had, and there were many! They were willing to go out of their way to make sure I had the training I needed to succeed, in nursing school and later in the real world. They prepared me very well for my NCLEX. My only concern with the nursing school came when I began to work as an RN. I realized I didn’t have as much “hands-on” training as other new graduate nurses. Most of our studies were concentrated in the classroom. Despite this, I look back and treasure my time as a nursing student at UNA and would recommend this nursing program to anyone looking to become an RN. The college is beautiful and I received everything I needed there to become a successful RN.” – Student at University of North Alabama
    stars-4

    References:
    1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
    2. Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-best-college-values-college-finder/index.php#Tile
    3. The Princeton Review. The Best 382 Colleges, 2018 Edition. New York, Penguin Random House, 2018.
    4. US News Top Graduate Nursing Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-nursing-schools
    5. Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN): http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm
    6. Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp
    7. Alabama Board of Nursing: https://www.abn.alabama.gov/nursing-programs/