Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year undergraduate program in the US that prepares students for registered nursing careers and eligibility for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.
Careers open to registered nursing graduates
Institutions awarding this level in registered nursing (1,179)
Source: IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education). IPEDS records the field and level of each award, not its exact title.
- Ivy Tech Community College · Indianapolis
- Rasmussen University-Florida · Ocala
- Rasmussen University-Illinois · Rockford
- Jersey College · Teterboro
- Rasmussen University-Minnesota · St. Cloud
- Ecpi University · Virginia Beach
- Miami Dade College · Miami
- Excelsior College · Albany
- Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences · Draper
- Galen College of Nursing-San Antonio · San Antonio
- Keiser University · Fort Lauderdale
- Capital Community College · Hartford
- Harrisburg Area Community College · Harrisburg
- Hondros College of Nursing · Westerville
- Valencia College · Orlando
- Weber State University · Ogden
- Broward College · Fort Lauderdale
- Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay · Saint Petersburg
- Tarrant County College · Fort Worth
- El Centro College · Dallas
- Lone Star College · The Woodlands
- Galen College of Nursing-Louisville · Louisville
- Labouré College · Milton
- Delaware Technical Community College-Terry · Dover
- St. Petersburg College · St. Petersburg
- Community College of Allegheny County · Pittsburgh
- Austin Community College · Austin
- EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan · San Juan
- Trocaire College · Buffalo
- Union County College · Cranford
- Delgado Community College · New Orleans
- Florida State College at Jacksonville · Jacksonville
- Central New Mexico Community College · Albuquerque
- NUC University · Bayamon
- Florida SouthWestern State College · Fort Myers
- Community College of Rhode Island · Warwick
- Salt Lake Community College · Salt Lake City
- Oklahoma City Community College · Oklahoma City
- Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences · Lancaster
- Community College of Baltimore County · Baltimore
- Seminole State College of Florida · Sanford
- Palm Beach State College · Lake Worth
- Saint Louis Community College · Bridgeton
- Fresno City College · Fresno
- Del Mar College · Corpus Christi
- Hillsborough Community College · Tampa
- San Jacinto College · Pasadena
- GateWay Community College · Phoenix
- Baptist Health System School of Health Professions · San Antonio
- Daytona State College · Daytona Beach
- St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens · Rego Park
- Amarillo College · Amarillo
- Pensacola State College · Pensacola
- Goodwin College · East Hartford
- EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Sebastian · San Sebastian
- Owens Community College · Perrysburg
- South Texas College · McAllen
- Jefferson Davis Community College · Bay Minette
- St Paul's School of Nursing-Staten Island · Staten Island
- EDP University of Puerto Rico-Manati · Manati
- Suffolk County Community College · Selden
- Miami Regional University · Miami Springs
- Calhoun Community College · Tanner
- St. Joseph's College of Nursing · Syracuse
- Maricopa Community Colleges - Glendale Community College · Glendale
- Central Ohio Technical College · Newark
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College · Perkinston
- Tulsa Community College · Tulsa
- San Antonio College · San Antonio
- Jefferson State Community College · Birmingham
- Bryant & Stratton College-Wauwatosa · Wauwatosa
- Mesa Community College · Mesa
- George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville · Hanceville
- Collin College · McKinney
- Trident Technical College · Charleston
- Helene Fuld College of Nursing · New York
- Schoolcraft College · Livonia
- State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota · Bradenton
- College of Southern Nevada · Las Vegas
- Weatherford College · Weatherford
- Riverside City College · Riverside
- Chippewa Valley Technical College · Eau Claire
- University of Arkansas at Little Rock · Little Rock
- Albany State University · Albany
- Lansing Community College · Lansing
- Allegany College of Maryland · Cumberland
- Baptist Health College Little Rock · Little Rock
- Columbus State Community College · Columbus
- Bryant & Stratton College-Virginia Beach · Virginia Beach
- Des Moines Area Community College · Ankeny
- Eastern Florida State College · Melbourne
- Malcolm X College · Chicago
- Henry Ford College · Dearborn
- Bevill State Community College · Jasper
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical College · Green Bay
- Gateway Technical College · Kenosha
- Greenville Technical College · Greenville
- Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City · Oklahoma City
- Houston Community College System · Houston
- Anne Arundel Community College · Arnold
- Howard Community College · Columbia
- Pima Community College · Tucson
- Borough of Manhattan Community College · New York
- Hinds Community College · Raymond
- Galen College of Nursing-Cincinnati · Cincinnati
- Bakersfield College · Bakersfield
- Madison Area Technical College · Madison
- Mohave Community College · Kingman
- Rasmussen University-Kansas · Topeka
- Nassau Community College · Garden City
- Eastern Iowa Community College · Davenport
- Quinsigamond Community College · Worcester
- Tyler Junior College · Tyler
- Fairmont State University · Fairmont
- Kirkwood Community College · Cedar Rapids
- Indian River State College · Fort Pierce
- Lehigh Carbon Community College · Schnecksville
- Professional Skills Institute · Maumee
- Carrington College-Reno · Reno
- Everett Community College · Everett
- Vermont Technical College · Randolph
- Pueblo Community College · Pueblo
- Mercy College of Ohio · Toledo
- Trinity Valley Community College · Athens
- Utah Valley University · Orem
- Delaware County Community College · Media
- Crowder College · Neosho
- Seattle Central College · Seattle
- El Paso Community College · El Paso
- George C Wallace Community College-Dothan · Dothan
- Cuyahoga Community College · Cleveland
- Germanna Virginia Community College · Locust Grove
- Maria College · Albany
- Stanbridge University · Irvine
- New York City College of Technology · Brooklyn
- Harford Community College · Bel Air
- San Joaquin Delta College · Stockton
- University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College · Rio Grande
- Front Range Community College · Westminster
- Macomb Community College · Warren
- Santa Fe College · Gainesville
- Cincinnati State Technical and Community College · Cincinnati
- Oakland Community College · Auburn Hills
- Marshall University · Huntington
- Tallahassee Community College · Tallahassee
- Navarro College · Corsicana
- University of Charleston · Charleston
- Pasco–Hernando State College · New Port Richey
- Community College of Philadelphia · Philadelphia
- Wake Technical Community College · Raleigh
- Fayetteville Technical Community College · Fayetteville
- Northwest Mississippi Community College · Senatobia
- Butler Community College · El Dorado
- Stark State College · North Canton
- New England Institute of Technology · East Greenwich
- Herzing University-Orlando · Winter Park
- Lorain County Community College · Elyria
- Clark State Community College · Springfield
- Kellogg Community College · Battle Creek
- Butte College · Oroville
- Ocean County College · Toms River
- SUNY Orange · Middletown
- Lower Columbia College · Longview
- Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College · Tifton
- St. Clair County Community College · Port Huron
- Yuba College · Marysville
- Bluegrass Community and Technical College · Lexington
- Holmes Community College · Goodman
- American Career College-Los Angeles · Los Angeles
- Pacific College · Costa Mesa
- Delta College · University Center
- Shoreline Community College · Shoreline
- Washtenaw Community College · Ann Arbor
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College · Conway
- Las Vegas College · Las Vegas
- Sullivan University · Louisville
- Carolinas College of Health Sciences · Charlotte
- Brookdale Community College · Lincroft
- Lincoln Land Community College · Springfield
- College of Central Florida · Ocala
- St Johns River State College · Palatka
- Southern Technical College · Fort Myers
- Rivier University · Nashua
- Mt. San Antonio College · Walnut
- Arkansas State University · Jonesboro
- Galen College of Nursing-ARH · Hazard
- Grayson College · Denison
- Southern Union State Community College · Wadley
- Walla Walla Community College · Walla Walla
- Southern Regional Technical College · Thomasville
- Rochester Community and Technical College · Rochester
- Montgomery College · Rockville
- Pellissippi State Community College · Knoxville
- Pearl River Community College · Poplarville
- Blinn College · Brenham
- South Plains College · Levelland
- Northern Virginia Community College · Annandale
- North Central Missouri College · Trenton
- Lake Superior College · Duluth
- Southwest Baptist University · Bolivar
About
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an associate level, two-year undergraduate program offered primarily by community colleges and some four-year institutions in the United States. This diploma is designed to train students in foundational nursing skills and knowledge, enabling them to become registered nurses. It occupies a key position in the US educational system as a practical and accessible pathway into the nursing profession. The ADN is accredited by regional and programmatic agencies ensuring quality standards. It is well suited for students seeking a quicker entry into healthcare careers or those who plan to continue their education later. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, which is required to obtain a nursing license and practice professionally.
- Program level: associate, about two years of study
- Offered mainly by community colleges and some four-year institutions
- Accredited by recognized regional and nursing bodies
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN licensure exam
- Accessible pathway into nursing profession
- Can be a stepping stone to further nursing degrees
How to get in
Admission to an ADN program generally requires a high school diploma or equivalent, with some programs requesting prerequisite courses in sciences and math. Applicants often submit transcripts, standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT may be considered but are not always mandatory. Many programs require an application through the institution's own process rather than the Common App. Selectivity varies, with some community colleges offering open admission while others have competitive entry based on GPA or entrance exams. Financial aid applications through FAFSA are commonly used to support students. The program is accessible to a wide range of students including recent high school graduates and adult learners seeking career changes.
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Prerequisites in science and math often needed
- Application via college-specific procedures
- Varied selectivity, some open admission
- FAFSA financial aid available
- Open to recent graduates and adult learners
Format and schedule
The ADN program typically lasts about two years of full-time study, structured around credit hours that include both classroom instruction and clinical practice. Clinical rotations in healthcare settings are integral, providing hands-on experience under supervision. Some programs offer part-time or evening classes to accommodate working students. Evaluation methods include exams, practical assessments, and clinical performance reviews. The balance between theory and practice prepares students to meet professional standards. Programs usually require completion of a set number of credit hours to graduate.
- Duration: approximately two years full-time
- Combination of classroom and clinical practice
- Clinical rotations in real healthcare settings
- Part-time and evening options may be available
- Assessment through exams and practical evaluations
- Credit hour requirements for graduation
What next?
After earning an ADN, graduates can enter the workforce as registered nurses, providing patient care in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare environments. Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is mandatory to obtain licensure. Many ADN holders later pursue further education such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through transfer or articulation agreements, which can enhance career opportunities and earning potential. The ADN thus serves both as a direct entry into nursing and as a foundation for advanced studies. Career advancement may include specializations or leadership roles within healthcare.
- Eligible to take NCLEX-RN for licensure
- Entry into nursing workforce upon graduation
- Transfer options to BSN programs available
- Foundation for advanced nursing education
- Opportunities for specialization and leadership
- Strong demand for registered nurses nationwide
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between an ADN and a BSN?
An ADN is a two-year associate level degree focused on foundational nursing skills, while a BSN is a four-year bachelor's degree offering more comprehensive education and broader career opportunities.
Can I work as a nurse after completing an ADN?
Yes, after graduating from an ADN program and passing the NCLEX-RN licensure exam, you can work as a registered nurse in various healthcare settings.
Are ADN programs available at four-year universities?
While ADN programs are primarily offered by community colleges, some four-year institutions also provide them, often with pathways to continue toward a BSN.
Is financial aid available for ADN students?
Yes, students can apply for financial aid through FAFSA and may be eligible for scholarships or grants offered by colleges or nursing organizations.
Do I need to take the SAT or ACT to enter an ADN program?
Standardized tests like the SAT or ACT are not always required for ADN admission, especially at community colleges, but requirements vary by institution.
Can I transfer credits from an ADN to a BSN program?
Many BSN programs accept transfer credits from ADN programs through articulation agreements, facilitating continuation of nursing education.
What kind of clinical experience will I get in an ADN program?
ADN programs include supervised clinical rotations in hospitals and healthcare facilities, providing practical patient care experience essential for nursing practice.
Is the ADN recognized nationwide in the US?
ADN programs are accredited by recognized agencies, and the degree is accepted nationwide; however, licensure depends on passing the NCLEX-RN exam and meeting state requirements.