Programs · Nursing
Studying nursing in the USA: how the BSN at A-State works
ACEN-accredited, with a 2025 NCLEX pass rate of 93.4% for BSN graduates. One thing to know before you choose: admission to the university is NOT admission to nursing — the program has its own, competitive selection.
93.4%
2025 NCLEX pass rate — BSN
82.5%
2025 NCLEX pass rate — AASN
122
Credit hours in the BSN
3.0
Minimum GPA for BSN admission
01
Two steps: into the university, then into nursing
You apply to A-State like any undergraduate, complete the prerequisite courses, and then apply separately to the nursing program during its application window. Program admission turns on your GPA and prerequisites — so your first-year plan matters as much as your entry grades.
BSN program admission requirements
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Admission to A-State | Required first — but it does not guarantee a place in nursing |
| GPA | At least 3.0, both cumulative and prerequisite GPA |
| Prerequisite courses | Completed as listed by the program |
| Documents | Online application, official transcripts, immunization record, background check |
Application windows — traditional BSN
| Program start | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | April 30 | June 7 |
| Spring | August 31 | October 1 |
The university states these dates are firm: miss one and you are considered in the next window. The AASN has its own dates.
02
Which programs work on an F-1 visa
A-State offers 18 nursing paths, but the master’s (MSN) tracks, post-graduate certificates and nearly all doctoral (DNP) options are fully online. F-1 rules count at most one online class (or 3 credits) per term toward a full course of study — so online programs cannot be used to maintain student status.
Which programs work on an F-1 visa
- Traditional BSN — taught on campus, suitable for F-1 students
- Traditional AASN — check the specific schedule with an advisor
- RN-to-BSN, accelerated second-degree BSN, the MSN tracks, the DNP and graduate certificates: online — not suitable for F-1
- The Nurse Anesthesia doctorate is the exception not listed as online — it has its own entry conditions to confirm case by case
03
After graduation
The NCLEX-RN
The program prepares you directly for the registered-nurse licensure exam. A-State’s BSN graduates passed at 93.4% in 2025, and the university reports 90%-plus for several years running.
12 months of OPT
Nursing (CIP 51.38) is not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (2024), so graduates get 12 months of OPT without the 24-month STEM extension.
Where graduates work
According to the university, BSN graduates work in intensive care, medical-surgical units, clinics and research facilities, emergency departments, and travel nursing.
04
What nursing costs
| Item | 2026–27 rate |
|---|---|
| International undergraduate tuition | $626 per credit |
| Tuition when you apply through the A-State office (agent code VNI) | $355 per credit |
| College of Nursing & Health Professions support fee | $27 per credit |
| Fee on nursing courses | $46 per credit |
The university notes that some courses carry differential tuition and extra costs (uniforms, equipment, background checks…). Use the cost calculator and pick “Nursing & Health Professions” to see a full-year figure.
05
A suggested route
- 1
Apply to A-State (agent code VNI)
Apply as an undergraduate and enter agent code VNI. If your English is not there yet, you can start with the ELA.
- 2
Year one: prerequisites, keep a 3.0 GPA
Take the BSN prerequisites from your first semester. Both cumulative and prerequisite GPA count.
- 3
Apply to the program in its window
Fall: April 30–June 7. Spring: August 31–October 1. Have your immunization record and background check ready.
- 4
Nursing coursework, clinicals, the NCLEX
The final years combine theory and clinical practice, ending with the NCLEX-RN.
Source: astate.edu — School of Nursing · astate.edu — Bachelor of Science in Nursing · astate.edu — Associate of Applied Science in Nursing · eCFR — 8 CFR 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G): giới hạn học trực tuyến của F-1 · ICE — DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (2024) · astate.edu — Tuition & Fees (International) · Updated Sep 23, 2026
Frequently asked questions
Does admission to A-State mean I can study nursing?
No. The university states that acceptance into A-State does not guarantee admission to a particular nursing program. You apply to the program separately, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Can I do a nursing master’s on an F-1 visa?
A-State’s MSN programs are online, so they cannot be used to maintain F-1 status. International students who need a student visa should choose the traditional BSN.
What is A-State’s NCLEX pass rate?
In 2025: 93.4% for BSN graduates and 82.5% for AASN graduates, according to the School of Nursing.
Does nursing qualify for three years of OPT?
No. Nursing is not on the DHS STEM list (2024 edition), so graduates receive 12 months of OPT without the 24-month extension.
Is the program accredited?
Yes. A-State’s nursing programs are accredited by the ACEN and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Ready to study in the USA at A-State?
Book a free 1-on-1 session with our admissions team — pathway, scholarships, documents and visa in one meeting.