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Best Nursing Schools in Louisville, KY in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Best Nursing Schools in Louisville, KY in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

nursing schools in louisville KYIf you’re looking for a nursing school in Kentucky, you’re in luck. Several sources recently cited the fact that there is a nursing shortage in Kentucky. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) cites two reasons for this. First, insufficient staffing due to nursing shortages, and second, the fact that significant numbers of current nurses are reaching retirement age. The nursing shortage means that there are potential opportunities for graduates of the best nursing schools in Louisville KY to start or expand their nursing career opportunities. Nurses that want to achieve leadership roles in nursing have the potential opportunity to serve in faculty roles. Several nursing schools in Louisville KY expanded their programs or offered incentives for graduates to help resolve the shortage of nurses, and possibly improve nursing care. Whether you’re looking for a BSN program or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option below.

Job Outlook for Nurses in Kentucky

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites the job outlook for licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, and advanced practice nurses as ‘much faster than average,’ when compared to other occupations. This means that students graduating from nursing schools in Louisville, or that complete an online nursing degree program, likely have an outstanding opportunity to achieve their goal of becoming a nurse.

Are you currently a nurse and want to expand your skills and career opportunities? The nursing programs that offer advanced degrees prepare students for changing roles in healthcare and leadership opportunities in the nursing profession. Consider these nursing schools in Louisville to complete your entry-level or advanced nursing degree program.

Please note that listed tuition rates are for the cost of tuition only, and do not include additional school or individual nursing program fees. Contact the specific school for additional cost of attendance information.

The Top Nursing Schools in Lousiville KY in 2024

1. Jefferson Community & Technical College

Jefferson Comminity and Technical College Best Nursing Schools in Louisville KY

Do you want the possibility of completing the Jefferson Community & Technical College Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) with free tuition? The ADN program is one of several programs at the college where students can potentially receive their program education and training tuition-free. Interested prospective students should contact the school for information about the Work Ready Scholarship Program.

Students learn the fundamental skills of nursing and prepare to sit for the NCLEX exam upon graduation from the program. If you are a current LPN or LVN, advise the school’s nursing program so that you can receive credit for a first-semester nursing course.

When asked by the school about employment after graduation, 92 percent of respondents indicated that they obtained employment as a registered nurse (RN) shortly after graduation.

  • Tuition: $174 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 89%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

2. Northern Kentucky University

The Northern Kentucky University offers current registered nurses (RNs) the opportunity to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in as little as 10 months. The school offers the program in a rigorous 100 percent online format. There are several start date opportunities.

Enhance your abilities as a nurse as you prepare to gain the expertise to obtain clinical leadership positions or other advanced nursing opportunities.

  • Tuition: $346 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 93%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. Galen College of Nursing

The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Galen College of Nursing prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam and receive their registered nurse (RN) licensure. There are no pre-requisites for students that enter the program, and they’ll begin hands-on learning early-on in the program. Students complete their general education courses alongside their nursing education courses.

Students learn the skills necessary to become a nurse through classroom instruction, labs, and clinical experiences in the two-year program. The school also offers nursing programs an LPN to ADN Bridge program, and a BSN nursing program.

  • Tuition: $390 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 95%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

5. Eastern Kentucky University

Eastern Kentucky University offers a variety of nursing program options for students that prefer to complete their degrees online, making EKU one of the most flexible nursing schools in Louisville KY. Build on your professional nursing expertise when you complete the MSN Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree in the 100 percent online format.

Meet the needs of patients across a variety of healthcare settings. Utilize evidence-based practices in the management of acute and chronic illness across the lifespan of patients, and gain the skills required of excellence as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

  • Tuition: $662 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

6. Northern Kentucky University

Are you a nurse that has a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and want to expand your career opportunities? The Northern Kentucky University Post-Master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is offered in a completely online format. Complete this 35-credit hour program in as few as 20 months.

Advance your clinical skills, meet the demands of healthcare leadership and management, and learn other skills such as collaborating with colleagues to conceptualize new research-based methods of healthcare delivery. Apply best practices in advanced nursing at the individual level, and for the population, and organizational levels.

  • Tuition: $664 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

7. University of Louisville

Do you already hold a baccalaureate degree in an area other than nursing? Obtain your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree at the University of Louisville and start an exciting career in this in-demand field. The program provides students with the foundation of nursing practice, in addition to leadership, and evidence-based practices.

Demonstrate excellence in nursing practice across the lifespan of patients in a variety of healthcare settings when you graduate from the program.

  • Tuition: $723 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

8. Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University offers the RN to BSN program for busy registered nurses (RNs) that wish to expand their nursing skills and career opportunities by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Earn your BSN in an online format without the commute to the Campbellsville, KY campus.

Students can transfer up to 39 credit hours from their previous ADN or nursing diploma program.

  • Tuition: $325 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 78%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

9. University of Louisville

The University of Louisville offers the pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in a traditional classroom learning format. Students in the four-year program complete four semesters of lower-division courses and four semesters of upper-division courses that prepare students for a dynamic career in nursing.

Learn nursing theory, practice, and complex healthcare needs of individuals, populations, and communities. Students learn to demonstrate excellence in nursing in addition to building the foundation needed for advanced nursing education programs.

The school also offers an online RN to BSN program is you have current RN licensure.

  • Tuition: $489 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 91%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

10. Bellarmine University

Nurses with current MSN licensure that want to advance their nursing career options have the opportunity to complete the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Bellarmine University. Students complete program requirements in a hybrid learning format. Students visit the campus just three times throughout the program. Students participate in intensive skills training and simulation experiences during the campus visits and complete the remaining course requirements online. The school permits students to complete their practicum at an approved facility in their own community.

Students learn to complete physical exams, interpret x-rays and laboratory results, and to diagnose and treat acute common acute and chronic health issues. The school reports that in 2018, 95 percent of students completed their FNP certification on the first attempt. The school also offers several other nursing programs. Contact the school for additional details.

  • Tuition: $770 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

11. ATA College

The Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at ATA College is offered in a hybrid online format. Students enjoy the flexibility of completing classes online and then participate in hands-on learning experiences at the on-campus laboratory. The 19-month fast-track program marks this as one of the best nursing schools in Louisville KY and will prepare students for real-world nursing employment through clinical experiences at an offsite location.

  • Tuition: $345 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 71%
  • Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools, Approved by Kentucky Board of Nursing

12. Bellarmine University

Students that obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Bellarmine University learn the fundamental skills of nursing, learn to deliver care in a variety of healthcare settings, and learn to demonstrate leadership skills that help to enhance the quality of patient care, and that help to ensure patient safety.

Students that wish to pursue an advanced nursing education gain a solid foundation for doing so through the completion of this program.

  • Tuition: approx. $935 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 94%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

13. Spaulding University

Spaulding University offers an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) as a second-degree option for students that hold a baccalaureate degree in another area and want to make a career change. This program allows students to receive their BSN in as little as 13 months.

Learn acute care, long term care, primary care nursing, and other skills crucial to excelling in nursing. Students participate in classroom and clinical experiences to work as a nurse or prepare for advanced nursing education.

  • Tuition: approx. $860 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 88%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Bonus Online Colleges

The following schools are not located in the Louisville, Kentucky area. However, their nursing programs are all offered 100% online for students who may wish to consider them.

Austin Peay State University – RN to BSN Online

Austin Peay State University provides a 100 percent online nursing program for students that hold current licensure as a registered nurse (RN) that want to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Students that graduate from the RN to BSN program also prepare for certification in their choice of holistic or wound management in nursing.

Improve patient outcomes through your evidence-based research, and improve your nursing skills in a changing healthcare environment. Complete this program in as little as 12 months. The school, located in Clarksville, Tennessee, also offers MSN online nursing programs. Students that take more than 13 credit hours per semester receive a tuition discount on each additional credit hour. 

  • Tuition: $280 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 97%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

University of Cincinnati – RN to BSN Online

Located just across the Kentucky and Ohio border lies the University of Cincinnati, which offers the RN to BSN online program. Current registered nurses (RNs) have the opportunity to complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree online in just nine months, or two semesters of full-time study, or within three to five semesters of part-time study.

Gain nursing skills through experiential learning, collaboration with healthcare professionals, technology and innovation.

  • Tuition: $416 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 85%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We selected each of these nursing schools in Louisville KY by assigning a specific score for criteria that included accreditation, first-time NCLEX pass rate, and tuition. When there was a tie in the ranking, we gave a higher score to the school with the lower tuition.

We do our best to be accurate, fair, and honest in our representation of each of the schools. No school can pay us for a higher ranking. Any supported school is listed separately and labeled as SUPPORTED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition or other specific program information for since these things sometimes change. It is the responsibility of the student to verify tuition and other school and specific nursing program information.

If you would like to have your school included in our rankings, please contact us.

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