Compare tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and outcomes for Montgomery-area nursing programs side by side.
Montgomery’s healthcare sector is anchored by Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital, and the VA Medical Center, creating steady demand for RNs. Yet the city has no public BSN program. The closest is Auburn University, 55 miles away; other options, including the University of Alabama, UAB, and Samford University, require a commute or relocation.
Cost, NCLEX pass rates, and program format (traditional, online RN-to-BSN, or accelerated) vary widely. In-state tuition at public universities sits under $13,000, while private Samford charges more than $40,000. For many Montgomery students, the decision hinges on whether to pursue a lower-cost public degree with competitive admission or pay a premium for the resources of a private school.
Montgomery students have access to a variety of nursing programs across Alabama, from community colleges with low net prices to flagship universities offering comprehensive clinical training. The schools below stand out for their strong graduation outcomes, program quality, and alignment with Alabama's healthcare workforce needs.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Auburn University | Auburn, AL | $13,000 – $35,000/yr | Aspiring RNs wanting diverse clinical rotations | |
Auburn University combines a rigorous BSN curriculum with clinical placements ranging from rural health to acute care, preparing graduates for varied nursing roles. The program's selective admission, strong 82% institutional graduation rate, and median graduate earnings of $65,337 highlight its return on investment. Hands-on simulation labs and a focus on evidence-based practice shape clinicians ready for Alabama's evolving healthcare landscape.
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| #2 | Northeast Alabama Community College | Rainsville, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | Budget-conscious ADN students targeting NCLEX success | |
Northeast Alabama Community College offers an affordable ADN with a net price of $2,756 and a 56% graduation rate, serving an 89.8% Pell-eligible student body. The five-semester, campus-based program emphasizes patient safety and clinical competence, with graduates earning a median of $34,913. High NCLEX pass rates and ACEN accreditation make it a practical gateway to RN licensure.
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| #3 | The University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | $22,000/yr | Career changers pursuing direct-entry MSN | |
The University of Alabama's Capstone College of Nursing provides a traditional BSN and an accelerated MSN entry path for those with a prior degree. With a 73.4% graduation rate and median earnings of $59,221, the school offers mentorship, technology-rich labs, and clinical rotations across urban and rural Alabama. The direct-entry MSN is designed to quickly expand the state's bachelor's-prepared RN pipeline.
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| #4 | University of Alabama in Huntsville | Huntsville, AL | $19,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of Alabama in Huntsville's BSN is a five-semester pre-licensure program with priority for UAH students. Strong median earnings of $61,767 and a net price of $18,796 reflect a solid ROI. The curriculum emphasizes clinical skills and patient care foundation, with opportunities for honors enrichment and Dean's Scholar participation.
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| #5 | University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | $19,000/yr (net price) | ||
UAB's School of Nursing is a national leader with multiple BSN pathways, including a traditional four-year track and a flexible RN to BSN option for working nurses. With a net price of $18,749 and median graduate earnings of $54,501, UAB graduates benefit from interprofessional training and telehealth experiences that prepare them for Alabama's healthcare needs.
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| #6 | Samford University | Birmingham, AL | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
Samford University, a private Christian institution in Birmingham, offers a BSN with over 900 clinical hours and NCLEX pass rates above national averages. The program's low student-faculty ratio, simulation labs, and 77% graduation rate support high employment outcomes. Median debt of $19,500 and earnings of $58,469 reflect strong value for graduates who often remain in Alabama.
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| #7 | Snead State Community College | Boaz, AL | $3,000/yr (net price) | ||
Snead State Community College's ADN program in Boaz features high-fidelity simulation labs and a supportive learning environment. With a net price of $3,249 and median graduate earnings of $35,735, it serves a diverse student body, including an 87.5% Pell-eligible population. The campus-based program prepares graduates for RN careers through hands-on clinical reasoning and practice.
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| #8 | Wallace State-Hanceville | Hanceville, AL | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Wallace State-Hanceville's ADN is ACEN-accredited and offers competitive admission with pathways for LPNs and other healthcare professionals. The program's net price of $13,170 and median debt of $11,000 are offset by median earnings of $39,842. Located in Hanceville, it serves a wide Alabama region with a focus on integrity, compassion, and diversity in nursing education.
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| #9 | Northwest Shoals Community College | Muscle Shoals, AL | $5,000 – $9,000/yr | ||
Northwest Shoals Community College provides an ADN with both campus and hybrid options, making it accessible for students across Alabama. The low net price of $2,838 and median debt of $10,000 combine with median earnings of $33,828. The five-semester program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN, with competitive admission and ACT requirements.
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| #10 | University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | $18,000/yr (net price) | ||
The University of South Alabama in Mobile offers traditional and accelerated BSN pathways with a 52.7% graduation rate and median earnings of $49,379. The accelerated track completes in 12 months for those with a prior degree, while the traditional BSN includes team-based learning and simulation. Over 90% of graduates secure employment quickly, often within Alabama.
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All nursing programs in this comparison are offered by public community colleges in Alabama. The net price shown is the institution-wide average after financial aid, not specific to the BSN program. Median graduate debt is reported only for schools where College Scorecard data is available.
| Institution | In-State Tuition ($) | Out-of-State Tuition ($) | Net Price (Avg, $) | Median Graduate Debt ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace Community College-Dothan | 4,980 | 8,850 | 1,170 | |
| Northeast Alabama Community College | 5,040 | 8,910 | 2,756 | 6,100 |
| Lurleen B Wallace Community College | 5,190 | 9,060 | 2,792 | |
| Northwest Shoals Community College | 5,131 | 9,001 | 2,838 | 10,000 |
| Snead State Community College | 5,278 | 9,148 | 3,249 | 9,000 |
| Chattahoochee Valley Community College | 5,100 | 8,970 | 4,244 | 10,500 |
| Bevill State Community College | 4,734 | 8,346 | 5,937 | |
| Lawson State Community College | 5,040 | 8,910 | 6,275 | |
| Calhoun Community College | 5,120 | 8,990 | 7,660 | 12,000 |
| H Councill Trenholm State Community College | 5,190 | 9,060 | 8,325 |
Which nursing programs in Montgomery, AL produce graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt?
According to the Alabama Board of Nursing, three baccalaureate programs within commuting distance of Montgomery reported first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates in 2024.1
These figures represent first-time test-takers from BSN programs who sat for the exam in 2024.
The Alabama state average for BSN programs typically lands in the mid-to-high 80% range. National NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates for all U.S.-educated candidates sit around 80-81% in recent years (2023 figures are approximately 80.6%). Two Montgomery-area programs comfortably exceed both benchmarks. Auburn University at Montgomery and Troy University’s main campus each posted rates well above the state and national norms, while Tuskegee’s rate fell below those averages in 2024.
Troy University’s main campus in Troy, AL, about 50 miles from Montgomery, achieved a 99.04% first-time pass rate, the strongest showing among programs in the region. Auburn University at Montgomery followed closely at 97.06%. Both reflect rigorous preparation, but Troy’s near-perfect mark is a standout. Prospective students might weigh these outcomes alongside factors like program length, clinical placement variety, and total cost when evaluating nursing programs in Alabama.
Current RNs and career changers take different roads to a BSN. Online RN-to-BSN programs cater to working nurses who need a flexible schedule, while accelerated BSN tracks compress coursework for those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and can attend full time. Knowing which type fits your situation makes the search for a Montgomery-area option more focused.
Start with the Alabama Board of Nursing’s official list of approved nursing programs. Their website identifies every state-approved RN-to-BSN track, including several that serve Montgomery students entirely or mostly online. Auburn University at Montgomery offers an online RN-to-BSN that requires 30 credit hours and typically takes 12 months to finish. The program includes a local practicum placement, so you build clinical skills close to home. The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa) runs a fully online RN-to-BSN with 30 credits and accepts up to 40 transfer credits, which can shorten the timeline. Auburn University’s main campus also offers an online RN-to-BSN; its 27-credit curriculum often completes in 12 months.
Accelerated BSN programs are less common in the immediate Montgomery area. The University of South Alabama in Mobile offers a campus-based accelerated BSN pathway that admits students with a prior non-nursing bachelor’s degree. It requires 26 prerequisite credits and starts new cohorts each January and July. For other accelerated possibilities, check the nursing department pages of schools like Alabama State University, Troy University Montgomery campus, and Faulkner University, program availability can shift year to year. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) program directory lets you search for accredited BSN programs by location and delivery method, which is handy for finding accelerated options statewide.
Program formats, credit loads, and timelines change, so contact admissions offices directly. Phone or email the nursing department to ask whether a program is fully online, hybrid, or campus-based, and confirm the typical completion timeline. A quick check with the AACN directory can verify accreditation and delivery mode before you commit.
Gaining admission to a BSN program in Montgomery requires careful planning. Each school sets its own benchmarks for GPA, test scores, and prerequisite coursework, and most programs are cohort-based with specific application windows. Understanding these requirements early can help you prepare a competitive application.
Most Montgomery-area nursing schools require a minimum cumulative GPA to be considered. Faulkner University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) both set a 2.75 GPA minimum, while the University of South Alabama expects a 3.0. Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) does not publish a single GPA floor but emphasizes strong performance in math and science prerequisites. Many programs also require the ATI TEAS exam; AUM explicitly uses TEAS scores as part of its selection process, and competitive applicants typically score well above the national average.
Before applying to upper-division nursing coursework, you’ll need to complete a set of foundational classes. Common prerequisites include anatomy and physiology (with labs), microbiology, chemistry, nutrition, and statistics. UAB, for example, lists anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition as required pre-nursing courses. Faulkner and South Alabama also require a minimum grade of C in all prerequisite courses. AUM weighs your performance in these lower-division classes heavily and may also consider an interview and the amount of credit you’ve earned at AUM.
Deadlines vary by institution and term. UAB’s traditional BSN opens applications on April 1, 2026, with a firm deadline of May 4, 2026. The University of South Alabama accepts applications for three start terms: Spring (deadline July 15), Summer (January 15), and Fall (March 15). Many programs, including those at AUM and Faulkner, operate on a cohort model with a single annual start date; check each program’s website for the most current timeline. South University Montgomery uses a quarter-credit system and offers multiple start dates throughout the year.
Nursing admission is selective across the region. Auburn University’s main campus admits about 46% of all undergraduate applicants, but its nursing program is significantly more competitive. Similarly, AUM and Faulkner describe their BSN tracks as “competitive and capacity-limited,” meaning meeting the minimum standards does not guarantee a seat. Strong TEAS scores, solid prerequisite grades, and a well-prepared application are essential to stand out.
Montgomery, Alabama’s healthcare sector is anchored by major employers like Baptist Medical Center South and Jackson Hospital, creating steady demand for registered nurses. The typical RN salary in the region exceeds the Alabama state median of $63,670, offering strong earning potential for graduates of local nursing programs.
Prospective nursing students often have practical questions about programs, costs, and financial aid. Below are answers to common queries about nursing education in Montgomery, Alabama, using the latest available data.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, several other nursing schools in Alabama offer quality BSN and ADN pathways within a reasonable distance of Montgomery. The directory below presents additional options by region, including campus-based, hybrid, and online formats.
