Best BSN Programs in North Carolina in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

The demand for nurses has been growing rapidly over the last few years. Now, most hospitals require nurses to have a BSN, which will give you the advantage and skills you need in your career. That’s why we’ve created a list of the best BSN programs in North Carolina.

There are great nursing schools in NC and a good BSN program will incorporate community health, research, clinical experience, leadership, health promotion, and managerial skills. Nurses with a BSN usually work in community settings and hold leadership roles within their employment, due to their education and training.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nursing field is due to increase by 15% by the year 2020, more than double the national job growth average! If you’re looking for a job that offers plenty of job security and an opportunity to help others, nursing could be the right path for you. Some schools even offer RN to BSN programs in North Carolina, so check those out as well.

*Please note all tuition listed below is for in-state students.

List of the Best BSN Programs in North Carolina in 2024

1. Duke University

Duke University offers an accelerated BSN only offered as a second degree to those who have already acquired their bachelor’s degree. The program lasts 16 months in four 12-week semesters and has almost 800 hours of clinical experience. Students will receive cutting-edge education and be eligible to become a registered nurse upon graduation.

• Pass Rate: 94%
• Acceptance Rate: 11.4%
• Tuition/year: $53,744

2. University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill now offers a traditional and accelerated BSN program. Unlike other school nursing programs, clinical training will begin in the very first semester which allows for immediate training and more clinical hours. Students will be trained to be team-oriented and patient-centered professionals.

• Pass Rate: 96%
• Acceptance Rate: 30.5%
• Tuition/year: $9,005

3. University of North Carolina – Wilmington

The University of North Carolina in Wilmington offers one of the best BSN programs in North Carolina as a prelicensure or RN to BSN program. Students will gain the knowledge, skill, and attitudes needed to become a professional nurse, and graduate students will be prepared to sit for the NCLEX exam.

• Pass Rate: 97%
• Acceptance Rate: 61%
• Tuition/year: $7,048

4. University of North Carolina – Charlotte

The University of North Carolina in Charlotte offers a 4-year BSN. Students will be prepared to work in many different healthcare settings in leadership and management roles. Admission is competitive and not all students who apply will be admitted into the nursing program.

• Pass Rate: 88%
• Acceptance Rate: 63.3%
• Tuition/year: $7,023

5. East Carolina University

East Carolina University offers a BSN program that covers four years and a summer session. Clinical practice is combined with classroom education and emphasizes the essential knowledge students need to become a nurse generalist. The program engages students in caring nurse-client/patient relationships using effective therapeutic nursing interventions, evidenced-based practice, communication and critical reasoning.

• Pass Rate: 95%
• Acceptance Rate: 69%
• Tuition/year: $4,365

6. Wingate University

One of the best BSN programs in North Carolina is located at Wingate University and requires students to have a 3.0 GPA to be admitted. Entry is competitive with only 40 students being accepted each fall. Wingate nursing offers a broad-based science and art curriculum to train professional nurses.

• Pass Rate: 95%
• Acceptance Rate: 69.8%
• Tuition/year: $29,170

7. Queens University of Charlotte

The Queens University of Charlotte is conveniently located in Charlotte which is home to premier healthcare systems. Students will have opportunities for personal and professional growth to be able to tackle the challenges in healthcare. Students will clinically study medical-surgery nursing, pediatrics, maternity, and community health nursing.

• Pass Rate: 88%
• Acceptance Rate: 67.1%
• Tuition/year: $31,360

8. Lenoir-Rhyne University

Lenoir-Rhyne University provides one of the best BSN programs in North Carolina that’s grounded in Christian faith and values. The teaching methods and curriculum is based on student competencies. Students will learn to work in collaboration with other healthcare professionals with the cognitive, effective, and technological skills needed in the workplace.

• Pass Rate: 94%
• Acceptance Rate: 84.4%
• Tuition/year: $33,740

9. Gardner-Webb University

Gardner-Webb University offers a BSN that prepares students for leadership positions as a registered nurse. The curriculum focuses on clinical competence, therapeutic relationships, and social awareness all grounded in Christian Values. 

• Pass Rate: 100%
• Acceptance Rate: 52.7%
• Tuition/year: $29,420

10. Winston-Salem State University

Winston-Salem State University offers a traditional BSN program for freshmen that covers general education core requirements and nursing courses. Students will become competent with skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the healthcare work field.

• Pass Rate: 87%
• Acceptance Rate: 58.5%
• Tuition/year: $3,335

11. Appalachian State University

Appalachia State University offers a BSN that will prepare students for an exceptional career in healthcare. Students will study healthcare practice for women, pediatric, adults, mental, and communities. Through holistic care, graduates will be able to work professionally with diverse patients in multiple healthcare settings.

• Pass Rate: 97%
• Acceptance Rate: 66.4%
• Tuition/year: $7,303

12. The University of North Carolina – Greensboro

The University of North Carolina in Greensboro‘s BSN program can be completed in four years and one summer. The degree courses are rigorous and students will have to maintain their grades while completing 16-17 credits each semester. This degree covers core requirements, pre-requisites, upper-division courses, and electives.

• Pass Rate: 88%
• Acceptance Rate: 58.6%
• Tuition/year: $7,137

13. Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University has strict admittance into their BSN program with applications accepted twice a year. Clinical experience will be held in health care agencies nearby coupled with classroom education to prepare students for a professional career in multiple healthcare settings.

• Pass Rate: 99%
• Acceptance Rate: 40.3%
• Tuition/year: $7,191

14. Pfeiffer University

Pfeiffer University‘s undergraduate nursing program can be completed in four years and combines clinical and classroom experience. The degree prepares students to provide quality, patient-centered healthcare through diverse healthcare settings and populations.

• Pass Rate: 94%
• Acceptance Rate: 46.5%
• Tuition/year: $28,000

15. Fayetteville State University

Fayetteville State University offers a BSN program that will give a broader education perspective on nursing. The curriculum focuses on interdisciplinary coursework and research knowledge to give students the skills they need to succeed. The program will prepare students for professional roles and further education.

• Pass Rate: 88%
• Acceptance Rate: 60.4%
• Tuition/year: $2,932

16. North Carolina A&T State University

North Carolina A&T State University offers a traditional four-year BSN that takes 5 semesters to complete on top of their general studies. Academic coaching is provided by a collaborative faculty to give students the experience needed to be successful as a professional nurse.

• Pass Rate: 71%
• Acceptance Rate: 60.5%
• Tuition/year: $6,419

17. North Carolina Central University

North Carolina Central University has a competitive BSN program for qualified high school students entering college. Core requirements and prerequisites must be completed before nursing courses can be taken. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required.

• Pass Rate: 66%
• Acceptance Rate: 65.9%
• Tuition/year: $6,282

18. Barton College

Barton College prepares students to become nurses by teaching clear communication, holistic care, and the nursing process. Faculty uses a team-teaching approach combined with their expertise to give students an integrated education to prepare them for professional leadership roles in nursing.

• Pass Rate: 95%
• Acceptance Rate: 41.8%
• Tuition/year: $32,590

19. Campbell University

To be accepted into the BSN program at Campbell University, students must have a 3.0 GPA. Upon application students will be required to submit an essay, complete an interview with the program director, and have their skills and abilities evaluated.

• Pass Rate: n/a
• Acceptance Rate: 73.5%
• Tuition/year: $31,190

 

Ranking Methodology

Schools on this list were ranked mostly by NCLEX-RN pass rates, with other quality-indicating factors such as total enrollment, tuition, and acceptance rate slightly affecting the rankings to push the higher-quality schools toward the top. See our methodology page for more detail.