hidden Gems

I’m often asked about the “best” BSN programs. There are about 860 BSN programs; of those, about 320+ are direct admit or have select direct admit seats. Much of what is meant by “best” is about fit—financial, academic, and social—and will be unique to your child. Nevertheless, there are some small, private, affordable (COA under $40,000 with midrange merit scholarships) institutions that are less or moderately selective and have decades-long nursing education traditions, beautiful campuses, good NCLEX pass rates and longstanding community relationships. These programs meet most or all these criteria above and get rave reviews from people familiar with them. These affordable gems have some direct admit seats or are direct admit programs:

Assumption University (MA): Tight-knit Catholic community with excellent post-graduation employment rates. (pictured)

Baldwin Wallace University (OH) Ranked #10 Regional Universities Midwest with 96% job/grad school placement and strong veteran support.

Carlow University (PA): In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, Carlow University is ranked No. #97 in Regional Universities North. It's also ranked No. #23 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Carroll College (MT) Strong biology/health programs.

Carroll University (WI): Wisconsin's first higher education institution with strong health sciences programs near Milwaukee.

Colby-Sawyer College (NH): Scenic Lake Sunapee location with emphasis on hands-on experiential learning.

College of Saint Mary (NE): Ranked #1 Best Value in Nebraska with innovative programs for women including support for single mothers.

College of Saint Scholastica (MN): Top school in Minnesota for social mobility, overlooking Lake Superior, offering a beautiful and inspiring setting

Curry College (MA): Located in America's #1 safest college town, just 7 miles from Boston.

Dakota Wesleyan (SD): Multiple campus locations with personalized attention and talent development focus.

Dominican University Chicago (IL): Ranked #1 Best Value Schools and #20 Regional Universities Midwest with Chicago proximity.

Hiram College (OH): Emphasizes affordable and accessible education.

Husson University (ME): Focuses on affordable, experiential learning in practical career fields.

Immaculata University (PA): Offers some of the lowest private tuition rates in the Delaware Valley region.

Luther College (IA): Ranked #42 nationally among bachelor's-only colleges and Princeton Review top Midwest colleges.

Maryville University Saint Louis (MO): Nationally recognized institution focused on student outcomes with good St. Louis access.

Mercy College (OH): Specialized healthcare and health science programs.

Mount Carmel College of Nursing (OH): Specialized nursing focus with partnership opportunities through Ohio Wesleyan.

Nebraska Methodist College (NE): Nationally recognized as top nursing and allied healthcare college.

Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE): Ranked top private institution in Nebraska by Money Magazine.

Our Lady of the Elms (MA): Established Catholic liberal arts tradition since 1928.

Saint Ambrose University (IA): Consistently rated among top Midwest universities with 12:1 student-faculty ratio and no graduate assistant teaching.

Stevenson University (MD): Ranked #1 campus in Maryland and #8 nationally for housing quality.

University of Dayton (OH): Niche rankings include #3 Best Colleges for Student Athletes in Ohio, #3 for Education, and #3 Top Private Universities in Ohio

University of Evansville (IN): One of fewer than 50 Ashoka Changemaker Campuses with international study opportunities at Harlaxton College England.

University of Hartford (CT): Established regional presence in Connecticut, great student support.

University of Providence (MT): In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, ranked No. #93 in Regional Universities West. It's also ranked No. #59 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Utica University (NY): Ranked among top 10% nationally for value.

Viterbo University (WI): Viterbo is ranked #73 in Regional Universities Midwest and #43 in Best Value Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Wesleyan College (GA): Ranked #6 Regional Colleges South with comprehensive financial aid program.

Westminster University (UT): Ranked #2 Best Value Schools with small classes and innovative problem-solving approach.

Xavier University (OH) Strong state rankings with tight-knit "family" community feel.

Myth: Direct admit programs are only for high stats students.

Fact: With 300+ direct admit programs (and more added each year) there is a huge range of selectivity. The majority require minimum GPA of 3.0, want to see rigor and demonstrated nursing interest. Many are test-optional.

Myth: Students who go direct admit cannot do study abroad or service trips.

Fact: Many programs, from smaller private colleges to (a few) large public universities allow or encourage study abroad or service trips and may build them into the curriculum.

Myth: BSN programs are either direct admit or traditional (2+2) with nothing in between.

Fact: Many traditional BSN programs have direct admit seats for high stats students.

Myth: Direct admit programs do not allow transfer applicants.

Fact: Many small private direct admit programs admit sophomores or juniors who have done prerequisite and gen ed coursework at another college into their program if they are in good standing, and there is space available. They may offer transfer scholarships and the criteria may be listed on the direct admit program page. Few large or well-known public colleges (or traditional programs) allow transfers into their BSN programs.

Myth: Most direct admit programs require the SAT or ACT

Fact: Most direct admit programs are test-optional (schools in the south are an exception).

Myth: You can't be a student athlete and do a direct admit BSN program.

Fact:  There are a number of nursing programs that encourage student nurse athletes.

Myth: Direct admit programs don’t accept any AP or DE courses toward nursing prerequisites or general education requirements.

Fact: Most direct admit programs will accept AP or DE courses toward nursing prerequisites (statistics, some biology, psychology, chemistry etc) or gen eds/core curriculum depending on the program.

Myth: Direct admit programs don’t allow for early graduation 

Fact: Students coming in with a lot of AP or DE courses toward nursing prerequisites (statistics, some biology, psychology, chemistry etc.) or gen eds/core curriculum may be able to graduate early. This largely depends on how many courses are accepted and the flexibility of the curriculum.