Located in Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), is a coeducational public institution of higher learning. Its School of Nursing has had an impact on the health of communities for 50 years.
Associate of Science in Nursing - The Associate of Science in Nursing (ANS) program received a continuing accreditation from ACEN, and is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN). To be admitted, a CGPA of at 2.5 or better on a 4 scale is required, along with a completed Nursing Admission Assessment (HESI A2) exam prior to program application. Graduates are conferred an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree.
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing - There are three options to gain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in EKU. The traditional 4-year BSN program, 2nd degree BSN program, and RN-BSN program.
The traditional 4-year BSN program is designed for high school graduates who would like to pursue a nursing education. The curriculum is a blend of professional nursing, general education courses and clinical education. However, for those with baccalaureate degrees in other fields, the 65-credit Second Degree BSN is designed for them. This intensive program can be completed in 21 months in an online course of study.
Another option is the RN to BSN program. This 29-credit hour program is designed for registered nurses and can be completed in as fast as 18 months.
Master of Science in Nursing - EKU offers two tracks for Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)—Rural Health Family Nurse Practitioner and Rural Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Both are conducted 100% online with up to 12 hours transfer credit. The former is a 47-credit hour track which focuses on disease prevention and health promotion, while the latter consists of 49 credit hours with emphasis on addressing mental health needs in various clinical settings.
Post-MSN Certificates - Two tracks for Post-MSN Certificates are also offered—as a Family Nurse Practitioner and a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Both are done fully online with up to 9 hours transfer credit. The former consists of 22-32 credit hours which focuses on acute and chronic health conditions primary care, while the latter is a 25-34 credit hour track which is aimed to meet the mental health needs of the populace.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post-MSN DNP concentration in Organizational Leadership) - This 32-38 credit hour program prepares students to become innovators and leaders in improving health outcomes. It is a practice-focused program which is conducted 100% online with up to12 hours transfer credits.
The nursing school at Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution located in Richmond, Kentucky. Its nursing programs are accredited by ACEN, ACME, CCNE and COA.
Degree types you can earn at Eastern Kentucky University include Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nursing, and the school provides its offerings to students via campus and online formats. The level of nursing programs offered to nursing students include Accelerated BSN, Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master Degree, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate and RN to BSN level degrees.
For nursing students in Kentucky, the state average NCLEX-RN passing rate for ADN programs is 85.82% and for BSN programs is 89.07%. The average national NCLEX-RN passing rate for ADN programs is N/A% and for BSN programs is N/A%.
Out of 41 nursing schools in Kentucky, the nursing program at Eastern Kentucky University ranks #4 in the state, and out of more than 1,700 nursing programs nationally, it ranks #69. It's 3-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate is 97.00%, giving the Eastern Kentucky University an overall grade of A.
Nursing Program Stats at a Glance for Eastern Kentucky University
- Grade: A
- NCLEX-RN Passing Rate Average: 97.00%
- Kentucky State Rank: 4
- National Rank: 69
Best Online Nursing Programs for Kentucky Students
In-state nursing schools are preferable to out-of-state programs as your tuition and logistics for attending school will be considerably less than if you attended school out-of-state. Online nursing schools are also an option.
Compare Kentucky Nursing School Rankings
Compare Kentucky Nursing Schools | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 26 | 19 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 85.82% | 89.07% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 66.70% to 98.00% | 31.67% to 100.00% |
Best Ranked School Details | ADN Rankings for Kentucky | BSN Rankings for Kentucky |
Eastern Kentucky University
Pass Rate

- 521 Lancaster Ave, Richmond, KY - 40475-3102
- (859) 622-1000

- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.00%
- Programs: Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Associate, Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate
University Information
Total Faculty: 563
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $9,752
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 99%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $8,558
Percent Admitted: 98%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 25%
Graduation Rate: 45%
Cities in Kentucky Offering Accredited Nursing Programs
If you are not finding the right nursing program in Richmond or want to compare nursing schools from other cities in Kentucky? Compare average NCLEX scores, in-state and out-of-state tuition costs as well as schools with strong alumni networks. The following is a list of cities in with accredited nursing programs in Kentucky: Ashland, Barbourville, Campbellsville, Crestview Hills, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Grayson, Hazard, Highland Heights, Hopkinsville, Lexington, Louisville, Madisonville, Maysville, Midway, Morehead, Murray, Owensboro, Paducah, Pikeville, Prestonsburg and Somerset
.
Additional Nursing Programs in Kentucky
- Alice Lloyd College
- American National University
- Ashland Cmty. & Technical College-Ashland
- Beckfield College-Florence
- Bellarmine University
- Berea College
- Big Sandy Cmty. & Technical College-Prestonsburg
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College-Lexington
- Campbellsville University
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Elizabethtown Community & Technical College
- Galen College of Nursing-Louisville
- Gateway Community & Technical College-Edgewood
- Hazard Cmty. & Technical College-Hazard
- Henderson Cmty. College-Henderson
- Hopkinsville Community College - Hopkinsville
- Hussian College-Daymar College Bowling Green
- Jefferson Cmty. & Technical College-Louisville
- Kentucky Christian University
- Kentucky State University-Frankfort
- Lindsey Wilson College
- Madisonville Community College
- Maysville Community & Technical College
- Midway College-Midway
- Morehead State University
- Murray State University
- Northern Kentucky University
- Owensboro Community & Technical College
- Somerset Community College
- Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College - Bowling Green
- Southeast KY Cmty. & Technical College-Cumberland
- Spalding University
- Sullivan University
- Thomas More University
- Union College
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville-Louisville
- University of Pikeville-Pikeville
- University of the Cumberlands
- West Kentucky Community & Technical College-Paducah
- Western Kentucky University-Bowling Green
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Kentucky Nursing School Rankings
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Sources: The State Board of Nursing from Each State, U.S. Department of Education: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education – OPE, National Center for Education Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics