Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition costs, and outcomes for BSN programs in and near High Point
High Point sits at the heart of the Piedmont Triad, a region where major health systems like Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and Cone Health continue to expand, fueling steady demand for new nurses.
Within the city, High Point University and South University-High Point offer direct-entry BSN tracks, while strong public and private programs in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Elon sit within a 30-minute commute, part of the broader network of nursing schools in North Carolina.
Deciding where to enroll means weighing NCLEX pass rates against program accreditation status, net cost after aid, and the quality of clinical rotations at Triad hospitals. For aspiring nurses in High Point, a smart choice starts with understanding which programs deliver both licensure readiness and strong early-career earnings.
Our ranking identifies the standout BSN programs accessible to High Point residents, whether located in the city, the immediate Triad region, or within a reasonable commute across the North Carolina Piedmont. We weigh institutional quality, program flexibility, and local clinical ties rather than relying on traditional magazine-style rankings.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Elon University | Elon, NC | $42,000/yr | Triad students needing close-to-home clinical training | |
Located just a short drive from High Point in Alamance County, Elon University offers a pre-licensure BSN with clinical placements concentrated in Triad hospitals and health systems. The program focuses on culturally sensitive care and value-based practice, with global learning opportunities. Elon’s 84% graduation rate reflects a supportive academic environment, though the net price near $41,600 is mitigated by need-based aid for NC residents.
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| #2 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Charlotte, NC | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | Piedmont students seeking urban nursing exposure | |
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the closest UNC BSN to High Point, offering in-state tuition around $7,200. Its nursing school partners with major Piedmont health systems like Atrium Health and Novant Health, providing strong local clinical and job pathways. The campus-based BSN and accelerated options prepare students for urban and diverse populations, with a 69% graduation rate and net cost of about $15,400.
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| #3 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | $12,000/yr | NC residents pursuing top-ranked in-state BSN | |
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill provides a top-ranked BSN with in-state tuition, a 91% graduation rate, and a net price around $11,700. Its three tracks, traditional, accelerated, and military pathway, serve a broad range of NC students, supported by statewide clinical placements and a mission to meet the state’s healthcare needs. Graduates earn a median $72,200 a decade out.
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| #4 | Duke University | Durham, NC | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
Duke University’s accelerated BSN in Durham is an intensive, fast-track program for career changers. With a 97% graduation rate and a median early-career earnings of $97,800, it offers a high-return pathway, though the net price runs about $29,600 for a private institution. Its clinical network spans central NC and includes distance-friendly placements for Triad-area students.
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| #5 | Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | Concord, NC | $15,000 – $20,000/yr | ||
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences in Concord offers both a BSN and an ADN on a hospital-based campus, with a pipeline into Atrium Health jobs. The BSN emphasizes early clinicals, small classes, and a 71% graduation rate; the net price is around $17,600. Partnerships with NC community colleges ease transfer for ADN-to-BSN progression.
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| #6 | Wilkes Community College | Wilkesboro, NC | $3,000/yr | ||
Wilkes Community College’s Associate Degree Nursing program provides a low-cost path to RN licensure, with in-state tuition under $2,600 and a net price that is effectively negative after aid for many students. The campus-based program boasts an 8:1 student-faculty ratio and articulation agreements with UNC System BSNs, aiding transfer for High Point students who may later complete a bachelor’s.
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| #7 | Appalachian State University | Boone, NC | $8,000 – $25,000/yr | ||
Appalachian State University’s BSN in Boone focuses on rural and underserved communities, with a 95% NCLEX pass rate over five years. In-state tuition applies for High Point residents, and the program participates in the statewide RN-to-BSN articulation, allowing community college transfers. The institution’s graduation rate is 74.5% and net price about $16,800.
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| #8 | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Wilmington, NC | $7,000 – $24,000/yr | ||
UNC Wilmington offers multiple BSN pathways: a prelicensure on-campus track, an online RN-BSN, and an accelerated ABSN. In-state tuition is $7,277, with a net price of about $20,100. The 71% graduation rate and emphasis on clinical judgment align with AACN Essentials, making it a solid option for NC residents seeking flexibility.
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| #9 | Southwestern Community College | Sylva, NC | $5,000/yr | ||
Southwestern Community College’s Nursing AAS program in Sylva is a rigorous, 72-credit-hour curriculum with a net price of only $5,207. Part of the NC Community College System, it aligns with the state’s concept-based curriculum and uniform articulation, ensuring smooth transfer to UNC BSN programs. The graduation rate is 53%.
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| #10 | East Carolina University | Greenville, NC | $16,000/yr | ||
East Carolina University in Greenville is one of North Carolina’s largest producers of BSN nurses, with a strong focus on rural and underserved populations. In-state tuition is $7,361 and the net price $15,739; the 63% graduation rate is offset by a robust alumni network and high employer recognition statewide. The campus BSN program provides hands-on preparation for a variety of settings.
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A program’s NCLEX pass rate often reveals more than its diploma: it can signal whether graduates are truly ready for licensure and practice, but balancing a perfect rate against a program’s maturity or cost requires careful thought. In High Point, two BSN programs offer sharply contrasting pictures: High Point University’s new program posted a flawless 100% first-time pass rate in 20241, while South University-High Point reported 77%1. Both figures demand context alongside state and national benchmarks.
For perspective, North Carolina BSN programs collectively averaged 94% in 20241, and the national rate for U.S.-educated RN candidates was 91.2%2.
Many other Piedmont Triad programs consistently perform near or above the state average, underscoring the gap at South University-High Point.
The NCLEX-RN is the gateway to registered nursing licensure; failing it delays your career and adds costs. A school’s pass rate is a leading indicator of curriculum strength and student support, not just a number. Employers, especially competitive hospitals, often weigh these rates when hiring new graduates because they reflect clinical readiness. Choosing a school with strong, consistent outcomes can directly affect your job prospects and confidence entering the field.
The North Carolina Board of Nursing publishes annual first-time NCLEX pass rates for every state-approved program1. Reviewing multiple years of data (where available) gives a clearer picture of a program’s trajectory, especially for newer schools like High Point University’s BSN, where a single exceptional year should be watched for consistency over time.
Is High Point University's nursing program fully accredited by the CCNE? The short answer: not yet, but it's on track and already holds full state approval.
High Point University's BSN program is currently pursuing initial accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). As of 2026, it is not yet listed in the CCNE directory, but the university is actively working toward that goal and has had full approval from the North Carolina Board of Nursing since June 2024. Graduates from a state-approved program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and HPU's first cohort posted a 100% pass rate in 2024, a strong signal of quality even while CCNE candidacy is underway. The university also holds institutional accreditation from SACSCOC, a separate regional body.1
Both CCNE and ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and graduates from either type of program can obtain RN licensure. The difference lies in focus: CCNE accredits only baccalaureate and graduate-level programs, while ACEN accredits all nursing education levels, including diploma and associate degrees. Many employers and graduate schools accept either, but some hospitals and academic medical centers express a preference for CCNE-accredited BSN programs when hiring new graduates. For students, the key takeaway is that both pathways lead to a valid license, but a CCNE-accredited BSN may open slightly more doors for certain advanced roles or graduate admissions.
South University's BSN program at its High Point campus is fully accredited by ACEN. It does not hold CCNE accreditation, which is typical for schools with a broader range of nursing offerings. This ACEN accreditation meets the standard for licensure and employer acceptance, and students should verify whether their target graduate programs have a specific accreditation preference.
The figures below compare institution-wide net price, the average amount paid after grants and scholarships, across public community colleges offering BSN programs within 75 miles of High Point. Actual costs for nursing students may vary based on program-specific fees and individual aid packages. All listed schools are public institutions.
Understanding what you can expect to earn and how much you might owe after graduation is central to choosing a nursing program. This section breaks down local salary benchmarks, program-level earnings data, and the return on investment for BSN graduates from schools in and around High Point.
O*NET wage data show that registered nurses in the Greensboro, High Point metropolitan area earned a median annual wage of $84,200 as of 2024, with the bottom 10% making about $67,660 and the top 10% earning over $105,380. These figures encompass all RNs in the region, regardless of degree or experience, and offer a realistic salary snapshot.
College Scorecard data suggest that nursing graduates can earn competitive salaries. While specific earnings and debt figures for many local BSN programs are not yet publicly reported, regional salary trends support a strong return. Some programs in the area, particularly associate-degree pathways, show limited public data with incomplete earnings and debt information, highlighting the need to weigh cost against anticipated earning power.
Return on investment is best framed by comparing what you’ll earn in the first few years after graduation with what you owe. Lower debt and competitive wages lead to a quicker payoff. Regional data suggest that even entry-level RN positions pay above $67,000, giving BSN graduates a strong foundation to manage typical education debt.
Salary figures are medians and not individual guarantees. Actual earnings depend on employer, schedule, and specialization. Use these numbers as a rough guide, and pair them with cost and clinical quality insights on this page to make a well-rounded decision.
Where do nursing students in High Point complete their clinical rotations, and how do those placements shape their education? Clinical experience is the backbone of any BSN program, and your choice of school determines which hospitals and health systems you'll train in.
Nursing students at High Point University's Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing1 and other area programs gain hands-on hours at major regional health systems. Key clinical sites include:
These partnerships place students inside large teaching hospitals, community-based settings, and specialty care facilities, exposing them to diverse patient populations and nursing roles.
A school's clinical network affects more than just where you do your rotations. Strong partnerships frequently translate into:
When you're evaluating programs, ask how clinical placements are assigned, how many hours each rotation requires, and whether you can express preferences for sites or specialties.
Clinical placement quality is just one piece. Weigh it alongside three other core factors:
These four pillars together help you gauge a program's overall value.
If you're balancing a job or shifting careers, consider program formats carefully. While High Point-area schools vary, nearby institutions like UNC Greensboro and Winston-Salem State University offer accelerated BSN tracks for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Some programs also provide evening, weekend, or hybrid online/in-person formats. Direct-entry MSN programs may also be available for non-nursing bachelor's graduates. Always confirm current offerings with the schools you're considering, as schedules and eligibility evolve.
Below are answers to common questions about nursing education options in the High Point area. For more detailed information on specific programs, refer to the rankings and data earlier in this article.
High Point's own nursing programs are few, but the Piedmont Triad region delivers a full bench of ranked BSN options, from UNCG and North Carolina A&T in Greensboro to Elon University and community college pathways in surrounding counties.
Use the ranking table and filtered views to sort programs by tuition, NCLEX performance, or clinical affiliations. Before applying, verify each school's accreditation status and check the latest NCLEX pass rates (page-level highlights are available earlier in this article). Visiting campuses and talking to current students about clinical placements will help you confirm which program fits your schedule and career goals.
