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Michigan Nursing Programs and Degrees Guide

    The following guide contains essential information about nursing programs available in the state of Michigan, including profiles of undergraduate and graduate programs. Michigan’s colleges and universities confer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing in a variety of concentrations: nurse anesthesia, adult acute and critical care, neonatal, women’s health, nurse midwifery, adult primary care, gerontology, and psychiatric/mental health. An increasingly popular alternative to earning a traditional nursing degree is to enroll at a school that features an online bachelor’s or master’s in nursing program.

    Quick Facts

    • 56 schools with nursing programs in Michigan are in our database (see below).
    • 35 colleges and universities offer associate’s degrees or certificates in nursing.1
    • 26 colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing.1
    • 17 colleges and universities offer master’s or advanced degrees 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
    • 7 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s programs.4
    • 5 schools ranked in US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice programs.4

    Top-Ranked Schools with Nursing Programs in Michigan

    Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges 2018*

    • Michigan State University (#40 in-state, #81 out-of-state)
    • University of Michigan (#4 in-state, #15 out-of-state)

    *Institution-wide ranking.

    Princeton Review’s Great Schools for Nursing Majors 2018

    • Calvin College

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Master’s

    • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (#8 tie)
    • Wayne State University (#50 tie)
    • Michigan State University (#55 tie)
    • University of Detroit Mercy (#105 tie)
    • University of Michigan-Flint (#124 tie)
    • Oakland University (#197 tie)
    • Madonna University (#201 tie)

    US News Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice

    • University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (#18)
    • Wayne State University (#39 tie)
    • Michigan State University (#73 tie)
    • University of Michigan-Flint (#91 tie)
    • University of Detroit Mercy (#121 tie)

    Following are several profiles of the many bachelor’s and master’s in nursing programs offered at Michigan’s colleges and universities.

    NCLEX Pass Rate and Accreditation Information for Nursing Schools in Michigan

    The following table allows you to easily compare not-for-profit Michigan 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 Michigan Board of Nursing.

    The Michigan Board of Nursing does not provide NCLEX pass rate information for individual programs. You can compare the state average pass rate to other state and national averages through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing website.

    SchoolADN or LVN ProgramBSN ProgramGraduate Nursing ProgramACEN/CCNE Accred.*NCLEX-PN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNCLEX-RN First Time Pass Rate**# TakingNet Price^
    Alpena Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$3,513
    Alma CollegeNoYesNoCCNE
    Andrews UniversityNoYesNoACEN$23,491
    Baker CollegeYesYesYesCCNE$12,606
    Bay CollegeYesNoNoACEN$8,071
    Calvin CollegeNoYesNoCCNE$26,012
    Concordia University-Ann ArborNoYesNoNo$20,498
    Davenport UniversityYesYesYesACEN/CCNE$16,126
    Delta CollegeYesNoNoACEN$3,621
    Eastern Michigan UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$12,782
    Ferris State UniversityNoYesYesACEN$12,813
    Finlandia UniversityNoYesNoCCNE$23,967
    Glen Oaks Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$6,010
    Gogebic Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$8,222
    Grand Rapids Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$4,565
    Grand Valley State UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$15,752
    Henry Ford CollegeYesNoNoACEN$3,928
    Hope CollegeNoYesNoCCNE$25,856
    Jackson CollegeYesNoNoNo$6,771
    Kalamazoo Valley Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$3,965
    Kellogg Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$5,856
    Kirtland Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$6,093
    Lake Michigan CollegeYesNoNoACEN$7,201
    Lake Superior State UniversityNoYesNoCCNE$9,942
    Lansing Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$5,669
    Macomb Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$7,173
    Madonna UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$13,710
    Michigan State UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$14,601
    Mid Michigan Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$6,407
    Monroe County Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$4,879
    Montcalm Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$6,845
    Mott Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$5,931
    Muskegon Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$4,326
    North Central Michigan CollegeYesNoNoNo$2,715
    Northern Michigan UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$12,703
    Northwestern Michigan CollegeYesNoNoACEN$8,092
    Oakland Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$4,175
    Oakland UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$11,145
    Rochester CollegeNoYesNoCCNE$16,504
    Saginaw Valley State UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$13,812
    Schoolcraft CollegeYesNoNoACEN$4,854
    Siena Heights UniversityNoYesNoCCNE$17,574
    Southwestern Michigan CollegeYesNoNoACEN$7,411
    Spring Arbor UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$18,634
    St. Clair County Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$5,888
    University of Detroit MercyNoYesYesCCNE$23,223
    University of Michigan-Ann ArborNoYesYesCCNE$15,757
    University of Michigan-FlintNoYesYesCCNE$12,175
    Washtenaw Community CollegeYesNoNoACEN$3,503
    Wayne County Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$5,337
    Wayne State UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$13,131
    West Shore Community CollegeYesNoNoNo$3,880
    Western Michigan UniversityNoYesYesCCNE$15,358

    *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
    **The Michigan Board of Nursing does not provide NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN results.
    ^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 Michigan with Nursing Degrees

    Associate’s in Nursing Programs

    Bay College
    Bay College awards the Associate in Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) on two tracks, a five-semester, full-time program for first-time nursing students and a three-semester, 12-month LPN to RN bridge program for students who are already licensed practical nurses. The full-time program requires 66 credit hours to complete, while the ADN bridge program requires 39 credit hours to complete. The sequenced curriculum, which is offered on the Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses for the full-time program and the Escanaba campus for the bridge program, requires students to earn at least a “C” in each program and prerequisite course. Required courses in the program include Dosage Calculation, Medical Microbiology, and Intro to Pharmacology. Upon graduation, students are ready to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become entry-level registered nurses in the state of Michigan. Bay College also offers a practical nursing certificate.

    Southwestern Michigan College
    Southwestern Michigan College offers an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing that prepares graduates for registered nurse licensure. Both fall and spring semester start dates are available. Admission is competitive, with 40 students admitted to each starting term. An LPN to RN bridge program is also offered in which credit for experience is available for experienced licensed practical nurses, which may shorten the time it takes to complete the associate’s degree. Core courses in the program include Foundations in Nursing, Psychosocial Nursing Care, Maternal & Women’s Health Nursing, and Nursing Leadership. The associate degree nursing program at Southwestern Michigan College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

    Bachelor’s in Nursing Programs

    University of Michigan
    The University of Michigan’s four-year, 128 credit nursing program leads to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Nursing majors complete a mixture of general college courses and core and elective nursing classes to fulfill degree requirements. Nursing coursework encompasses nursing care of patients with complex needs, leadership and management, childbearing and reproductive health, and health promotion and risk reduction. Academically gifted students may want to apply for the Honors Program. Students in the Honors Program may participate in a student mentorship program, engage in research with faculty members, and attend seminars exclusively for honors students. Nursing majors may also expand their worldview and experience by studying abroad.

    Ferris State University
    Students interested in earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Ferris State University must first complete pre-nursing requirements in science, math, and English. The nursing curriculum generally spans two years and covers such topics as nursing theory, epidemiology and statistics, pharmacology, and leadership in nursing. Labs complement coursework by allowing nursing majors to have hands-on experience in a supervised laboratory setting. Students must also complete internships at affiliated facilities, including Munson Medical Center, Spectrum Health, and Central Michigan District Health Department. The traditional BSN program is competitive with only 64 students accepted each year.

    Master’s in Nursing Programs

    Michigan State University
    Michigan State University affords students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and nursing education, or nurse anesthesia. The nurse practitioner concentration operates in a hybrid format with students completing courses online and in the classroom. Practicums are mandatory and take place at partner facilities throughout the state. The clinical nurse specialist and nursing education programs are offered entirely online, although students will have to fulfill practicum requirements in a local medical facility. Students pursuing the nurse anesthesia concentration must do so on a full-time basis and must attend classes on campus.

    Wayne State University
    Graduate students at Wayne State University may pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in one of nine concentrations: adult acute and critical care, women’s health, nurse midwifery, adult primary care, gerontological, community health, pediatric, neonatal, and psychiatric/mental health. Students must take between 37 and 47 credits, depending on the concentration, to fulfill degree requirements. Core requirements generally cover such diverse topics as health economics, policy and professional issues for advanced practice nurses, and theoretical foundations for advanced practice. Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), must have a current Michigan registered nurse’s license, and must provide three references.

    Online Nursing Programs in Michigan

    University of Michigan at Flint
    The University of Michigan at Flint affords students the convenience of earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) entirely online. The RN to BSN Completion Program requires students to be licensed registered nurses before they begin the core nursing requirements. However, students may begin completing general college coursework and nursing foundation classes prior to becoming licensed. Students can complete the program entirely online or, if they choose, may also take courses on campus. The RN to BSN program allows students to test out of three required courses: pharmacology for RNs, nutrition, and pathophysiology for RNs. The University of Michigan at Flint also confers the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). The accelerated MSN program is completed entirely online with graduate students being required on campus between six and eight times during the 16-month, full-time program. Graduate students typically receive funding through grants to pay for educational costs incurred during the program. Graduate students begin the program in the fall with the cohort limited to 16 students. Successful candidates must possess a BSN and be a licensed, registered nurse.

    School 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.

    Davenport University
    6191 Kraft Ave SE
    Grand Rapids, MI 49512
    (616) 698-7111
    https://www.davenport.edu/

    Student Review: “I attended Davenport Midland Campus for my degree in nursing. I completed my degree by doing the two year-round nursing program. I loved Davenport. The instructors were all experienced nurses. They were very knowledgeable and helpful. The program made me feel like I was part of a family. The instructors prepared us very well for taking our state boards. All of the members of my class passed on the first attempt. Because of Davenport, I was able to get a job nursing within a month of passing the NCLEX exam. I would highly recommend Davenport for anyone pursuing a degree in nursing.” – Student at Davenport University
    stars-5

    Madonna University
    36600 Schoolcraft Rd
    Livonia, MI 48150
    (734) 432-5300
    https://www.madonna.edu/

    Student Review: “My experience at Madonna has been excellent. I really enjoy my classes. I am in my first nursing semester. I am taking a full course load. The teachers at Madonna are great. They teach well and help me when I am in need. I am looking forward to next semester because I will be doing clinicals. I really want to be a nurse and I know Madonna will get me where I want to go. Madonna is a located right off the freeway, which makes it extremely accessible. Furthermore, I really like the small class sizes. I really feel like I am just not a number. My professors know me and I know them. Overall, Madonna is a great university. I highly recommend it.” – Student at Madonna University
    stars-5

    Oakland University
    318 Meadow Brook Rd
    Rochester, MI 48309
    (248) 370-2100
    https://www.oakland.edu/

    Student Review: “I felt most of the professors [at Oakland University] were very good at communicating information in a way that can be easily understood. One thing I disliked about the program was having to take classes like ‘Nursing Informatics’ in which we learned about the technology and computer interfaces we would be using as a nurse. I thought that this class was a huge waste of my time simply because 95% of people in a nursing program these days can easily figure out how to work the various programs we will encounter, plus, we all get on the job training in the programs when we get hired. I also disliked the inconsistency in the way clinical instructors graded our performance in certain clinical rotations. Now, this wasn’t always an issue, but once or twice the instructor graded my group much harder than other instructors graded their groups. For the first half of the program I felt like there was a ridiculous amount of work and studying to be done, however by the last semester I felt that the course load was definitely reduced, and because I already knew most of the information, the work I did have to do wasn’t hard to accomplish.” – Student at Oakland University
    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