Compare accredited programs by tuition, NCLEX pass rates, and career outcomes near North Charleston.
North Charleston sits at the center of a healthcare-rich corridor anchored by the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and Trident Medical Center, giving nursing students access to a dense cluster of clinical training sites. Aspiring nurses here can choose from traditional BSN tracks, ADN programs at community colleges, accelerated second-degree options, and online RN-to-BSN pathways that fit working schedules, or explore LPN programs in North Charleston SC for practical nursing roles.
Programs vary sharply in cost and NCLEX outcomes, so comparing tuition, clinical partnerships, and licensure exam pass rates is essential before enrolling. With local employers increasingly preferring BSN-prepared nurses, selecting the right program shapes both starting salary and long-term career mobility.
The rankings below consider a mix of program quality, affordability, graduate outcomes, and accessibility to help you find the best fit for your nursing education near North Charleston. Each school offers accredited pathways to nursing licensure, but they differ in format, student support, and clinical opportunities, so review carefully.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | $13,000 – $19,000/yr | Military-connected students and working adults | |
The Citadel's BSN program stands out for its dual pathways: a traditional four-year option for cadets and veterans, and a five-semester hybrid transfer track designed for working adults in the Charleston area. With CCNE accreditation, high-fidelity simulation, and clinical rotations at major Lowcountry hospitals, graduates are well-prepared for the NCLEX. The military-friendly environment also offers unique support for veterans and active-duty students.
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| #2 | Charleston Southern University | Charleston, SC | $20,000/yr | Career changers with a prior degree | |
Charleston Southern University offers an accelerated, 18-month BSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. The hybrid format blends asynchronous online coursework with on-campus weekday evening labs and weekend clinical rotations in Charleston-area hospitals. This fast-paced path is ideal for career changers aiming to enter nursing quickly while maintaining some flexibility.
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| #3 | University of South Carolina Beaufort | Bluffton, SC | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | Students seeking community-focused clinicals | |
The University of South Carolina Beaufort delivers a traditional BSN with an emphasis on hands-on learning through simulation centers and unique service experiences like the Lakota Nation Pine Ridge project. Located in the coastal Lowcountry, the program also offers a second-degree accelerated track and an honors option, preparing graduates for the NCLEX and careers in local healthcare settings.
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| #4 | Williamsburg Technical College | Kingstree, SC | |||
Williamsburg Technical College provides an affordable, five-semester associate degree in nursing (ADN) that serves as an entry point to registered nursing. The program emphasizes practical training in a state-of-the-art simulation lab and multiple clinical settings, with a notably strong licensure pass rate. Located about an hour from Charleston, it is a cost-conscious option for students willing to commute or relocate.
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Nursing programs near North Charleston span a wide range of costs, with in-state tuition starting below $5,000 and climbing for out-of-state or bachelor's-level options. Net price after financial aid often shifts the picture dramatically, so comparing both published tuition and what students actually pay reveals the most affordable pathways.
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident Technical College | $5,050 | $8,620 | $1,406 | $13,029 |
| Florence-Darlington Technical College | $4,900 | $6,772 | $2,004 | $12,250 |
| Spartanburg Community College | $6,223 | $10,135 | $2,405 | $6,500 |
| Horry-Georgetown Technical College | $6,778 | $10,978 | $4,159 | $14,250 |
| Midlands Technical College | $6,300 | $14,700 | $4,647 | $12,000 |
| Aiken Technical College | $6,172 | $7,924 | $4,807 | $12,250 |
| Central Carolina Technical College | $6,594 | $9,016 | $5,571 | $9,977 |
| York Technical College | $8,396 | $13,340 | $5,931 | $7,000 |
| Piedmont Technical College | $5,675 | $6,923 | $11,366 | $15,000 |
| Francis Marion University | $11,170 | $21,544 | $11,386 | $27,000 |
A nursing program's NCLEX-RN pass rate can reveal whether its curriculum genuinely prepares students for the licensing exam or merely covers the content. Choosing a school with a strong track record on this high-stakes test is one of the most critical decisions a future nurse can make.
State boards of nursing and national accreditors closely monitor pass rates. Programs that consistently fall below 80% risk accreditation scrutiny, while rates above 90% indicate robust exam preparation and a curriculum aligned with current NCLEX test plans. For students, the first-time pass rate is especially valuable: it reflects how many graduates in a cohort were ready to practice immediately after finishing their degree.
The South Carolina Board of Nursing publishes annual NCLEX-RN results through its online dashboard, covering ADN and BSN programs across the state. For the most recent reporting year (2024), ECPI University’s ADN program reported a first-time pass rate of 79.2%. Other nursing schools near North Charleston, such as Trident Technical College, the MUSC College of Nursing, and Charleston Southern University, also submit pass rate data, and those figures are available for public review on the Board’s website.
Nationally, first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for U.S.-educated candidates typically hover between 86% and 88%. A program that falls significantly below this range may warrant further questions about its instructional approach or student support services. While a single year’s data never tells the whole story, prospective students should compare multi-year trends whenever possible and prioritize programs that consistently outperform the national benchmark.
How does program accreditation affect your nursing license and career in North Charleston, and which degree path fits your life? Whether you’re weighing CCNE versus ACEN, or trying to map out a schedule around work, the options near North Charleston offer distinct advantages.
Nursing programs can hold accreditation from either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Both are nationally recognized and meet South Carolina’s licensure requirements, so either will qualify you to sit for the NCLEX. The difference often surfaces later. CCNE is more common for bachelor’s and graduate degrees, and many graduate nursing programs prefer or require a CCNE-accredited baccalaureate. In the Charleston area, MUSC’s BSN and Charleston Southern’s BSN hold CCNE, while ECPI University’s BSN and MSN also carry CCNE status. Trident Technical College’s ADN and ECPI’s ADN are ACEN-accredited, which is standard for associate-level programs. For an RN-to-BSN bridge, you’ll find both: MUSC’s and Charleston Southern’s RN-to-BSNs are CCNE, while ECPI’s holds ACEN.
Prospective nurses can choose from three main routes. The direct-entry BSN is a four-year degree offered at MUSC, Charleston Southern, and ECPI’s North Charleston campus. The ADN is a two-year option available at Trident Tech and ECPI, preparing you for RN licensure more quickly. Many area hospitals now prefer or require a BSN, however, which has made the third pathway, the ADN-to-BSN bridge, increasingly popular. These RN-to-BSN programs let working RNs earn their bachelor’s online while staying employed. ECPI, MUSC, and Charleston Southern all provide bridge programs.
Classroom delivery varies. ECPI’s North Charleston location offers day, evening, and online formats, giving students a range of scheduling choices. MUSC’s BSN is campus-based, but its RN-to-BSN is delivered fully online. Charleston Southern’s BSN is on campus while its RN-to-BSN is described as online-friendly. Trident Tech’s ADN remains campus-based. Remember that all nursing programs require in-person clinical rotations, no fully online degree eliminates hands-on patient care. The ADN-to-BSN bridge pathway stands out as the most common fully online option in the area, designed for the schedules of practicing RNs.
Clinical rotations at a large academic medical center versus community hospital settings: each shapes your nursing skills differently. One emphasizes research and complex cases, while the other builds broad, hands-on competence in everyday patient care.
The Charleston metro hosts four healthcare systems that serve as primary clinical training grounds:
North Charleston students are within 15 miles of all four systems. This geographic density means clinical assignments are accessible, and you can experience a wide range of nursing specialties without long commutes. The proximity to a Level I trauma center (MUSC) combined with community hospitals gives ADN and BSN learners a complete clinical education.
Salaries for nurses in the Charleston-North Charleston metro area are strong, with a median annual wage of $80,620 (BLS, 2024). The chart below compares median earnings 10 years after graduation for five top programs near North Charleston, illustrating long-term earning power. With median student debt for these programs ranging from $21,096 to $24,000, the ROI is clear, graduates can comfortably manage loan payments while earning well above national averages.
Below are answers to common questions about nursing schools in North Charleston, covering program options, costs, accreditation, and outcomes.
