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 nursing programs near North Charleston balance strong NCLEX outcomes, accessible tuition, and flexible formats for working adults and transfer students. Our ranking highlights ten schools within a broadened radius that combine quality instruction, hands-on clinical training, and solid graduation rates, helping you find a program that fits your career goals and budget.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Citadel Military College of South Carolina | Charleston, SC | $13,000 – $39,000/yr | Military and career-change learners | |
The Citadel, located in Charleston just a short drive from North Charleston, offers two pathways to a BSN: a traditional daytime cadet program and an evening hybrid track for college graduates and working adults. The college draws on major Charleston-area health systems for clinical rotations and has a dedicated military pipeline, making it a strong local choice for veterans, active-duty personnel, and career changers. Recent NCLEX pass rates have climbed into the mid-80% range, and the low student-faculty ratio ensures close mentorship. The Citadel’s focus on leadership and evidence-based practice prepares graduates for high-demand roles in the regional healthcare market.
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| #2 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC | $20,000 – $25,000/yr | Hands-on clinical immersion seekers | |
Clemson University’s BSN program is an eight-semester, campus-based degree known for high NCLEX pass rates and a statewide clinical network that includes Lowcountry sites. Students gain early exposure to nursing concepts through high-fidelity simulation labs and diverse rotations, supported by small class sizes and personalized mentorship. Although the main campus is in the Upstate, Clemson actively recruits from all SC counties and places graduates in hospitals and health systems across the state, including the Charleston metro. The program’s strong reputation and robust scholarship options make it a competitive pick for in-state students aiming for a comprehensive university experience.
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| #3 | University of South Carolina | Columbia, SC | $23,000/yr | High-achieving academic track students | |
The University of South Carolina’s flagship nursing program in Columbia is a top-tier BSN with a top 1% NCLEX pass rate nationally and two NLN Center of Excellence designations. The curriculum balances core classes with state-of-the-art simulation training, and students can sometimes complete clinical rotations in Lowcountry facilities through USC’s statewide network. For career changers without a nursing background, a hybrid Direct Entry MSN offers an accelerated path to RN licensure. USC’s strong alumni placement and high 10-year graduate earnings make it a compelling option for North Charleston residents willing to relocate for school and return to work in the coastal region.
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| #4 | Bob Jones University | Greenville, SC | ~$17,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bob Jones University in Greenville offers a Christ-centered BSN that emphasizes nursing as a calling, with six semesters of clinical experience, more than many comparable programs. The school boasts a 98% NCLEX-RN pass rate and a fast-track option that allows completion in as few as three years. Students gain hands-on skills in an accredited simulation center and can participate in medical mission trips, with graduates recruited by faith-based hospitals throughout South Carolina, including those in the Charleston area. Competitive admission requires a 2.75 GPA and the ATI TEAS exam.
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| #5 | Anderson University | Anderson, SC | $24,000/yr | ||
Anderson University’s traditional BSN is a four-year, campus-based program that pairs a holistic nursing philosophy with access to a cadaver lab and modern simulation center. Students complete 123 credit hours with clinical placements at diverse Upstate healthcare facilities, preparing for the NCLEX-RN and a career in registered nursing. The program integrates a Christian worldview and offers fall and spring start dates, along with scholarships and financial aid for eligible students. Graduates are recruited by health systems across South Carolina, providing a pathway to lowcountry employment after licensure.
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| #6 | Spartanburg Community College | Spartanburg, SC | ~$2,000/yr (est.) | ||
Spartanburg Community College’s ACEN-accredited ADN program offers a low-cost, campus-based route to registered nursing with a net price under $2,500 per year. The curriculum focuses on holistic care across the lifespan and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN. While clinical sites are concentrated in the Spartanburg area, the degree’s transferability allows SCC graduates to enroll in online RN-to-BSN programs offered by MUSC and other universities that serve the Charleston region, making it a budget-friendly starting point for North Charleston students open to relocating for two years.
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| #7 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | ~$6,000/yr (est.) | ||
York Technical College’s associate degree nursing program in Rock Hill provides a solid foundation for RN licensure through classroom instruction and clinical practice in the Catawba region. The ACEN-accredited curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, professional behaviors, and direct patient care across the lifespan. With a net price under $6,000, it is one of the more affordable pathways into nursing. Graduates can later transition to fully online RN-to-BSN programs that are popular with Charleston-area nurses, though the main campus is a significant distance from North Charleston.
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| #8 | Coastal Carolina University | Conway, SC | $10,000 – $15,000/yr | ||
Coastal Carolina University’s BSN program in Conway blends liberal arts with evidence-based nursing practice, emphasizing health promotion, patient safety, and leadership. Students complete 120 credit hours with hands-on clinical experiences in coastal community settings, which can offer relevant population-health insights for those interested in similar environments like the Charleston area. The university’s affordable net price and ACEN accreditation make it an attractive in-state option, though it is located in the Myrtle Beach region rather than the immediate North Charleston metro.
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| #9 | Horry-Georgetown Technical College | Conway, SC | ~$4,000/yr (est.) | ||
Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s ADN program is an affordable, campus-based option with two admission pathways and a strong NCLEX preparation focus. With campuses in Conway, Georgetown, and the Grand Strand, it serves the northern coast of South Carolina. The curriculum spans fundamentals, pharmacology, and patient care across 68 credit hours. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and can later pursue online RN-to-BSN programs, which can position them for nursing roles in the Charleston market after gaining initial experience and licensure.
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| #10 | University of South Carolina-Upstate | Spartanburg, SC | ~$14,000/yr (est.) | ||
USC Upstate’s hybrid BSN in Spartanburg combines online coursework with in-person clinical rotations at regional medical centers, offering flexibility for students who balance other responsibilities. The program reports a 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate and is recognized as a key supplier of RNs for the state. While not based in the Lowcountry, the hybrid format and statewide clinical reach can accommodate students willing to travel for labs and clinicals, and graduates are in high demand across South Carolina, including the Charleston area.
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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.
