North Carolina offers 15 accelerated BSN programs ranging from affordable public university options like Western Carolina and UNC Charlotte to private programs in Charlotte, Asheville, Greensboro, Wilmington, and the Research Triangle.
Program length ranges from 12 to 18 months and total costs range from roughly $15,000 to more than $75,000.
This guide compares admission requirements, tuition, NCLEX outcomes, and program structure to help you identify the best ABSN program for your goals.
North Carolina ABSN Programs at a Glance
| School | Location | Est. Cost (In-State) | Duration | Min. GPA | NCLEX Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asheville (Biltmore Park) | $15K | 16 months | 3.0 | 100% | |
Wilmington | $15K | 16 months | 3.0 (B req. in sci. prereqs) | Not published | |
Charlotte | $15K | 16 months | Not stated | Not published (est. 2025) | |
Chapel Hill | $22K | 16 months | 3.0 + 3.0 science | 98% (2024); 96% 3-yr avg | |
Boiling Springs | $32K | 16 months | 2.85 (last 60 hrs) | 100% (2024) | |
Concord | $46K | 18 months | 2.5 | ≥80% commitment | |
Charlotte | $61K | 16 months | 3.0 (B min. per prereq) | 100% (inaugural cohort) | |
Charlotte | $76K | ~1 year (3 semesters) | 3.0 (last 30 cr.) | Not published | |
Elon | $77K | 16 months | Not stated (holistic) | Not published | |
Charlotte | $61K | 16 months | 3.0 | Not published | |
Fayetteville | $5K | 16 months | Competitive (all prereqs req.) | 96% (2024) | |
Greensboro | $7K | 12 months | 3.0; TEAS at natl. mean | 91% (3-yr avg); 100% placement | |
Greenville | $8K | 12 months | 3.0; HESI required | Not published separately | |
Durham | ~$185/credit | 14–15 months | 3.2 overall + 3.2 sci. | Not published | |
Winston-Salem | $11K | 15 months | 2.6 + 2.6 science | Not published |
Best North Carolina ABSN Programs by Goal
- Lowest cost (NC residents): Western Carolina University — NC Promise tuition of $500 per semester in-state ($2,500 out-of-state), totaling approximately $14,830
- Fastest finish (12 months): East Carolina University and NC A&T — both complete in 12 months
- Best published NCLEX outcomes:
- UNC Chapel Hill (98% in 2024, 96% three-year average),
- Western Carolina University (100%),
- Gardner-Webb University (100% in 2024),
- Johnson & Wales Charlotte (100% inaugural cohort)
- #1 ranked in North Carolina: Fayetteville State University — ranked #1 in NC by RegisteredNursing.org for 2026
- Most scheduling flexibility: Northeastern University Charlotte — three annual start dates (Jan, May, Sept) with rolling admissions
- No entrance exam required:
- UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Charlotte require no TEAS, HESI, GRE, or any standardized test
- Gardner-Webb requires no TEAS for applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree
- Only public ABSN in Charlotte: UNC Charlotte — launched in 2025, $14,991 for the full 16-month program in-state
- Lowest GPA floor:
- Cabarrus College (2.5 GPA minimum)
- Winston-Salem State University (2.6 GPA minimum)
- Atrium Health clinical pipeline: Cabarrus College of Health Sciences — embedded on an Atrium Health hospital campus in Concord
- Military test-out options: North Carolina Central University — several foundational nursing courses offer test-out or credit options for veterans and military-trained students
- Faith-integrated curriculum: Gardner-Webb University — Christian values are woven through the curriculum
- HBCU options across four markets:
- Fayetteville State (Fayetteville),
- NC A&T (Greensboro),
- NC Central (Durham),
- Winston-Salem State (Winston-Salem)
Best North Carolina ABSN Programs by Student Type
| If You Are… | Consider |
|---|---|
Looking for the lowest cost | Western Carolina, UNC Charlotte |
Wanting the fastest completion | ECU, NC A&T |
Living in Charlotte | UNC Charlotte, Queens, Northeastern, JWU |
Interested in an HBCU | Fayetteville State, NC A&T, NCCU, WSSU |
Avoiding entrance exams | UNC Chapel Hill, UNC Charlotte |
Working with a lower GPA | Cabarrus, WSSU |
Military or veteran applicant | NCCU |
Wanting the strongest NCLEX outcomes | UNC Chapel Hill, WCU, Gardner-Webb |
Seeking a faith-based program | Gardner-Webb |
Looking for strong hospital connections | Cabarrus, ECU, UNCW |
Most Affordable Programs
Western Carolina University — ~$14,830 in-state (~$22,830 out-of-state): NC Promise caps WCU undergraduate tuition at $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 for out-of-state — making it the single most affordable ABSN option for non-residents anywhere in this series. The all-in estimate of $14,830 (in-state) or $22,830 (out-of-state) includes mandatory fees and waivable health insurance, and a 100% NCLEX pass rate means the value-to-outcome ratio is unmatched in North Carolina.
UNC Wilmington (~$14,774 in-state) and UNC Charlotte (~$14,991 in-state): Both UNC system programs deliver full 16-month programs for under $15,000 in in-state tuition and fees.
HBCU note: Fayetteville State (~$4,353/year tuition), NC A&T (~$6,813/year), and ECU (~$7,438/year) all charge annual in-state rates below $8,000. For students who qualify for FELS (Forgivable Education Loans for Service) in addition to standard financial aid, the effective cost at these institutions can be further reduced for those committed to practicing in shortage settings.
Which Program Length Is Right for You?
Need the fastest path into nursing?
- East Carolina University — 12 months, January to December, Greenville
- NC A&T — 12 months, January to December, Greensboro block format
Both are in-person, full-time, and structured so that working during the program is not realistic. NC A&T runs Monday through Friday in an intensive block format; students are strongly advised not to work.
Want a slightly longer runway before 16 months at lower cost?
- North Carolina Central University — 14–15 months, Durham, HBCU
- Winston-Salem State University — 15 months, Winston-Salem, HBCU
Want a 16-month program at a public university price?
- Western Carolina University — Asheville/Biltmore Park; $500/semester in-state via NC Promise
- UNC Wilmington — Wilmington; ~$14,774 in-state; 600+ clinical hours
- UNC Charlotte — Charlotte; ~$14,991 in-state; the only public ABSN in the Charlotte region
- UNC Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill; ~$21,391 in-state with fees; highest NCLEX rate in the state
- Fayetteville State University — Fayetteville; ~$4,353/yr in-state tuition; #1 ranked in NC
Want a 16-month private or faith-based option?
- Gardner-Webb University — Boiling Springs; Christian values; ~$31,200 tuition; no TEAS for degree-holders
- Elon University — Elon; health equity focus; auto merit scholarships; NLN CNEA accredited
- Johnson & Wales Charlotte — Charlotte; cohort model; 100% inaugural NCLEX; CCNE
- Northeastern Charlotte — Charlotte; 3 annual starts; $26,000 auto-scholarship; 546 clinical hours
Need the shortest possible program in Charlotte specifically?
- Queens University Charlotte — approximately 1 year across 3 consecutive semesters; job offers common before graduation
Need to keep working during the program?
- Cabarrus College — Concord; rolling admissions with fall and spring starts; partially online with labs and clinicals at the Atrium Health campus
- Fayetteville State University — hybrid format blending online instruction with face-to-face sessions and clinical rotations
- Northeastern Charlotte — blended online coursework with in-person labs and clinicals; three start dates per year reduce scheduling pressure
Prefer more time to absorb the material?
- Cabarrus College — 18 months, the longest timeline in North Carolina, with clinicals embedded in the Atrium Health system from the first term
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
| School | Start Date | Application Deadline / Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
January, May, September | Rolling; ~2 months before start | Three annual starts; $26,000 auto-scholarship (Charlotte) | |
Fall and Spring | Jan 1 (fall priority); Oct 1 (spring priority) | Rolling; NA-I required before first nursing course | |
Spring (January) | Nov 21 (final); Sept 10 (priority) | 1-year, 3-semester program | |
Fall (August) | Rolling | Fall 2026 Charlotte start: Aug 24; cohort model | |
Fall | Contact program | Launched 2025; only public ABSN in Charlotte | |
January | June 15 | HESI required; point-based ranking with July interview | |
January | Contact program | ACEN accredited; no TEAS for degree-holders | |
January | Aug 1–Oct 1 (undergraduate application) | 12 months; block format; CNA I required | |
January (Spring) | July 1–September 1 | Decisions mid-October; holistic review | |
Maymester | January 1–February 1 | #1 NC ranking; 16 months; HBCU; capacity expanding | |
May | September 22 | No entrance exam; holistic; 110 seats; decisions 14-16 wks | |
Fall | January (NursingCAS); decisions March | NC Promise; 55-student cohort; Asheville/Biltmore Park | |
Fall | May 15 | NLN CNEA accredited; rolling holistic review | |
Fall | June 1 | 3.2 GPA required; TEAS 70; meet NSS advisor first | |
Summer | January 6 (ABSN application); Dec 16 (UNCW app) | TEAS + video interview required; summer start |
January starts (four programs): ECU, Gardner-Webb, NC A&T, and Winston-Salem State all begin in January. Each has distinct application windows — ECU closes June 15, NC A&T accepts undergraduate applications August 1–October 1, and Winston-Salem State accepts July 1–September 1. Applicants targeting a January start should identify their deadline early and plan prerequisites accordingly.
Charlotte’s four programs: JWU (fall only), Northeastern (three starts/year), Queens (spring), and UNC Charlotte (fall) give Charlotte-area career changers four distinct entry windows across the calendar year. Northeastern is the only Charlotte program with multiple annual starts.
UNC Chapel Hill’s long lead time: Applications for the May start close September 22 — eight months before the program begins, with decisions issued 14–16 weeks after the deadline. A&P I must be complete by the deadline; A&P II may be outstanding but must be done by December 31 before the start.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Every North Carolina program requires Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, and Chemistry or equivalent sciences. Psychology (general and/or developmental) and Statistics appear across most checklists.
UNC Chapel Hill is the only program with an explicit requirement that A&P I and A&P II be completed at the same institution (or as separate Anatomy + Physiology courses).
Both UNC Chapel Hill and UNCW impose a B or higher grade floor for science prerequisites specifically; JWU requires a B in every prerequisite course without exception.
Clinical Training Structure
North Carolina’s programs vary from hospital-system-embedded clinical models to coordinated rotations across statewide health systems to locally arranged community-based experiences.
Programs with highest published clinical hours: UNC Wilmington exceeds 600 clinical hours across four semesters, beginning with approximately 135 hours in the first term and reaching 180+ in each subsequent term.
Elon University delivers 540 clinical hours alongside community-driven service learning in local or global health settings — a component not embedded in any other NC program’s clinical hours.
Northeastern Charlotte delivers 546 hours in groups of 5–8 students per clinical instructor — the smallest clinical group ratio among NC programs with published data.
Named clinical partners and system access: Cabarrus College is the most deeply health-system-embedded program in NC — located on an Atrium Health hospital campus with preferred access to one of the country’s largest healthcare systems.
ECU places students within ECU Health Systems (the primary teaching facility) across 60 miles of Eastern NC, with 504 distributed across medical centers, hospitals, health departments, and mental health centers.
UNCW partners primarily with Novant Health; FSU has a named partnership with Cape Fear Valley Health.
Programs requiring CNA experience before clinical: Cabarrus requires an active NC NA-I registry listing before beginning the first nursing course.
NC A&T requires a CNA I registry listing at the time of application.
UNC Charlotte requires CNA I certification before admission. Career changers without prior healthcare experience should factor CNA training time and cost into their planning timeline.
UNCW’s transparent clinical distribution: UNCW publishes clinical hours by semester more explicitly than any other NC program — approximately 135 hours in Semester 1, then 180+ in each of Semesters 2, 3, and 4, totaling 600+. The NLN Center of Excellence designation signals institutional investment in nursing education quality beyond the program level.
North Carolina ABSN Program Summaries
Cabarrus College ABSN Program
Concord | $44,520 | 18 Months
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences offers an 18-month accelerated BSN on an Atrium Health hospital-based campus in Concord, for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. The Atrium affiliation gives students preferred clinical access and a direct hiring pipeline into one of the country's largest health systems.
Highlights
- Hospital-based campus embedded in the Atrium Health system
- 90%+ of graduates employed as RNs within one year
- Accessible 2.5 GPA admission; clinicals begin first semester
- CCNE accredited
East Carolina University ABSN Program
Greenville | $7,438 | 12 Months
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences offers an 18-month accelerated BSN on an Atrium Health hospital-based campus in Concord, for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. The Atrium affiliation gives students preferred clinical access and a direct hiring pipeline into one of the country's largest health systems.
Highlights
- Hospital-based campus embedded in the Atrium Health system
- 90%+ of graduates employed as RNs within one year
- Accessible 2.5 GPA admission; clinicals begin first semester
- CCNE accredited
Elon University ABSN Program
Elon | $76,048 | 16 Months
Elon University offers an intensive 16-month accelerated BSN in Elon, NC, starting each fall for second-degree students. Its curriculum centers on health equity, community-based population health, and health informatics, backed by intensive simulation and global service learning.
Highlights
- Health-equity focus on population health and disparity reduction
- 67 credits and 540 clinical hours
- Automatic, renewable merit scholarship for every admit
- NLN CNEA accredited (initial, 2025) — not CCNE or ACEN
Fayetteville State University ABSN Program
Fayetteville | $14,000 | 16 Months
Fayetteville State University offers a 16-month hybrid accelerated BSN for second-degree students. This affordable public HBCU pairs strong NCLEX outcomes with a flexible online-plus-clinical format, and ranks as North Carolina's #1 ABSN for 2026 (RegisteredNursing.org).
Highlights
- #1-ranked NC accelerated BSN for 2026 (RegisteredNursing.org)
- 96% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (NC BON, 2024)
- Affordable public HBCU with flexible hybrid format
- CCNE accredited
Gardner-Webb University ABSN Program
Boiling Springs | $31,200 | 16 Months
Gardner-Webb University offers a 16-month on-campus accelerated BSN in Boiling Springs, starting each January for second-degree students. Grounded in Christian values through its Hunt School of Nursing, it posted a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2024 and feeds directly into graduate nursing study.
Highlights
- Faith-integrated education at the Hunt School of Nursing
- 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (2024)
- No TEAS required for bachelor's-degree holders
- ACEN accredited (not CCNE)
Johnson & Wales University ABSN Program
Charlotte | $61,000 | 16 Months
Johnson & Wales University offers a 16-month accelerated second-degree BSN at its Charlotte campus. It pairs a small, tight-knit cohort with interprofessional, simulation-based education, backed by a 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate from its inaugural class.
Highlights
- Small cohort model (Charlotte nursing launched 2024)
- 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate (inaugural cohort)
- Interprofessional, simulation-based practice
- CCNE accredited
NC A&T ABSN Program
Greensboro | $6,813 | 12 Months
North Carolina A&T State University offers an intensive 12-month accelerated BSN in Greensboro, delivered in block format from January to December. As the nation's largest HBCU and one of NC's most affordable nursing schools, it pairs strong value with a 91% three-year NCLEX rate and 100% job placement.
Highlights
- ~$6,813 in-state annual tuition — among NC's lowest
- 91% three-year NCLEX-RN pass rate; 100% job placement
- 12-month block format (January–December)
- CCNE accredited
NCCU ABSN Program
Durham | $23,000 | 14 Months
North Carolina Central University offers an accelerated BSN in Durham, completed full-time in about 14–15 months for students who already hold a four-year degree. This public HBCU pairs affordable per-credit tuition with military-friendly test-out options and a distinctive global health perspectives course.
Highlights
- Affordable public HBCU (~$185/credit in-state)
- Military-friendly: test-out of several foundational courses
- Distinctive Global Health Perspectives course
- CCNE accredited
Northeastern University ABSN Program
Burlington, MA; Fall River, MA; Charlotte, NC | $88,768 | 16 Months
Northeastern University offers a 16-month, full-time accelerated BSN at its Charlotte campus for applicants with a prior bachelor's degree or at least 62 college credits. The hybrid format combines online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations spanning adult care, mental health, pediatrics, and community nursing.
Highlights
- 16-month, full-time hybrid format at the Charlotte campus
- Open to bachelor's holders or 62+ college credits
- Online coursework plus in-person labs and clinicals
- Curriculum spans adult, mental health, pediatric, community care
Queens University Charlotte ABSN Program
Charlotte | $75,255 | 12 Months
Queens University of Charlotte offers a one-year accelerated BSN running three consecutive full-time semesters for second-degree students. Its intensive, simulation-rich curriculum sits in Charlotte's high-demand healthcare market, where graduates often receive job offers before completing the program.
Highlights
- One-year, three-semester format (61 credits)
- Simulation-rich curriculum in a dedicated center
- Strong Charlotte employer demand — early job offers
- CCNE accredited
UNC Charlotte ABSN Program
Charlotte | $15,000 | 16 Months
UNC Charlotte offers a 16-month on-campus accelerated BSN — the only public ABSN in the Charlotte region — for non-nursing bachelor's holders. Launched in 2025, it pairs strong affordability with high-fidelity simulation, dedicated success tutors, and automatic scholarship eligibility.
Highlights
- Only public ABSN in the Charlotte region (~$14,991 in-state)
- Automatic scholarship eligibility; no TEAS required
- High-fidelity simulation with dedicated success tutors
- CCNE accredited
UNC Wilmington ABSN Program
Wilmington | $14,774 | 16 Months
UNC Wilmington offers a 16-month on-campus accelerated BSN on its coastal campus, starting each summer for second-degree students. An NLN-designated Center of Excellence, it pairs affordable in-state tuition with 600+ clinical hours and a transparent, point-based admission formula.
Highlights
- NLN-designated Center of Excellence in Nursing Education
- ~$14,774 full-program in-state tuition
- 600+ clinical hours, including Novant Health placements
- CCNE accredited
University of North Carolina ABSN Program
Chapel Hill | $14,038 | 16 Months
UNC Chapel Hill offers a 16-month accelerated BSN at the state's flagship public university, starting each May for second-degree students. It posts the highest NCLEX pass rate in North Carolina, pairing world-class clinical training with exceptional in-state value and no entrance-exam requirement.
Highlights
- Highest NCLEX pass rate in NC (98% in 2024; 96% three-year)
- Flagship public university with world-class clinical rotations
- ~$14,038 in-state tuition; $1.5M+ in annual scholarships
- No entrance exams (GRE, MAT, TEAS, HESI, PAX) required
- CCNE accredited
Western Carolina University ABSN Program
Cullowhee | $15,000 | 16 Months
Western Carolina University offers a 16-month accelerated BSN taught at its Biltmore Park site in Asheville, for second-degree students. As an NC Promise institution with a 100% NCLEX pass rate, it delivers exceptional value for in-state and out-of-state students alike.
Highlights
- NC Promise tuition: $500/sem in-state, $2,500/sem out-of-state
- 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate
- Taught in Asheville with rotations across Western NC
- CCNE accredited
Winston-Salem University ABSN Program
Winston-Salem | $6,802 | 15 Months
Winston-Salem State University offers a 15-month accelerated BSN at a public HBCU, starting each January for bachelor's holders in any discipline. It pairs affordable in-state tuition with an accessible 2.6 GPA admission bar and a holistic review process.
Highlights
- Affordable public HBCU (~$6,800 in-state tuition)
- Accessible 2.6 GPA holistic admission
- 15-month format with a January start
- CCNE accredited
Two Accreditation Notes for North Carolina
Gardner-Webb University holds ACEN accreditation with Continuing Accreditation status rather than CCNE.
Elon University holds initial accreditation from the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), achieved in February 2025 — also not CCNE.
Both ACEN and NLN CNEA are nationally recognized nursing education accreditors; NCLEX eligibility is unaffected by either. Prospective students planning to pursue graduate education or work for specific employers should confirm acceptance of ACEN- or NLN CNEA-accredited degrees with those institutions before enrolling. All other North Carolina programs hold CCNE accreditation.