Indiana’s nursing education landscape spans flagship university programs, regional state universities, and a statewide community college network. Indiana University’s School of Nursing – one of the most comprehensive nursing schools in the Midwest – anchors the state’s academic nursing pipeline, while Ivy Tech Community College operates ADN programs across Indiana’s 40+ campuses, creating broad geographic access to nursing education. Indiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) in 2020, meaning a current Indiana RN license is a multistate compact license valid in 40+ member states.
Is Indiana a compact state?
Yes. Indiana joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2020. An Indiana RN license issued to a nurse whose primary state of residence is Indiana is a multistate compact license, valid for practice in all current NLC member states without separate licensure applications.
This carries practical benefits for:
- Travel nurses – The Indiana compact license removes the need for individual single-state licenses in most US states, substantially reducing licensure overhead between assignments.
- Relocating nurses – Nurses arriving from other compact states can often continue practicing in Indiana during the application process, depending on the states involved.
- Border-area nurses – Indiana borders five states. Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan are all compact members; Illinois and Wisconsin are not (as of 2026). Nurses working near compact borders can use their home-state multistate license across those state lines.
To maintain an Indiana multistate license, Indiana must be your declared primary state of residence. If you relocate to another compact state, you surrender the Indiana license and apply through the new state’s board.
For complete state-by-state licensing information, see nursing license by state.
Top nursing schools in Indiana
Indiana has a range of CCNE- and ACEN-accredited nursing programs, from ADN through doctoral level. The table below covers the most prominent options.
| School | Location | Program types | Accreditation | NCLEX pass rate (est.) | Annual tuition (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University School of Nursing | Indianapolis (+ regional campuses) | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD | CCNE | ~88% | $10,000 (in-state) |
| Ball State University | Muncie | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN | CCNE | ~87% | $9,800 (in-state) |
| University of Indianapolis | Indianapolis | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE | ~87% | $35,000 |
| Indiana State University | Terre Haute | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP | CCNE | ~85% | $9,200 (in-state) |
| Purdue University Northwest | Hammond / Westville | BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN | CCNE | ~86% | $8,900 (in-state) |
| Ivy Tech Community College | Statewide (40+ campuses) | ADN | ACEN | ~83% | $5,300 (in-district, est.) |
NCLEX pass rates shown are estimates based on program reporting and national averages; verify current figures directly with individual programs. School-specific NCLEX data is published by the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency and the Indiana State Board of Nursing.
Indiana University School of Nursing – Indianapolis IU’s nursing school is the flagship of Indiana’s academic nursing pipeline. CCNE-accredited and operating from the IUPUI campus in Indianapolis alongside Indiana University Health, it offers one of the most complete nursing program ladders in the Midwest: BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD. Graduate programs span nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, and nursing science tracks. IU Health – Indiana’s largest and most prominent health system – serves as a primary clinical partner, giving students access to a Level I trauma center and major specialty services in the state’s largest metro.
Ball State University – Muncie BSU’s CCNE-accredited nursing program serves east-central Indiana. The program offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN tracks with clinical placements at IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital and regional facilities. Ball State’s nursing program is competitive, with strong in-state tuition and a well-established regional healthcare employment pipeline.
University of Indianapolis – Indianapolis UIndy’s CCNE-accredited nursing program spans BSN through DNP, with clinical access to the dense Indianapolis metro healthcare market. Franciscan Health and other major Indianapolis systems provide clinical training sites. The program’s smaller class sizes offer more individualized instruction relative to flagship universities.
Indiana State University – Terre Haute ISU’s CCNE-accredited nursing program serves west-central Indiana. The school offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP tracks, with clinical partnerships at Union Hospital and regional Terre Haute facilities. ISU’s nursing program attracts students from rural and underserved areas of Indiana, and its RN-to-BSN completion program is accessible to working nurses across the state.
Purdue University Northwest – Hammond and Westville PNW’s CCNE-accredited nursing program is strategically positioned in northwest Indiana, near the Chicago metro healthcare corridor. Hammond’s proximity to major health systems in both northwest Indiana (Methodist Hospitals, Community Healthcare System) and the Illinois border gives students access to a wide range of clinical environments. PNW offers BSN, RN-to-BSN, and MSN tracks.
Ivy Tech Community College – Statewide Ivy Tech operates ACEN-accredited ADN programs across more than 40 campuses throughout Indiana, making it the most geographically accessible nursing program in the state. For students who need local options, lower cost, or a faster path to the RN credential (ADN programs are typically two years versus four for a BSN), Ivy Tech is often the practical entry point. Graduates can continue to a BSN via the IU-Ivy Tech Nursing Alliance or other bridge programs.
Admission requirements
Indiana nursing programs share a common prerequisite framework. Specific requirements vary by level and institution, but the following reflects standard expectations across ADN and BSN programs.
Standard prerequisites:
| Course | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology I & II | With lab; grade of C or better (B preferred) |
| Microbiology | With lab |
| Chemistry | Introductory level with lab (most programs) |
| English Composition | Writing-intensive; C or better |
| Psychology | General or lifespan developmental psychology |
| Statistics | Required by most BSN programs |
| Nutrition | Required by several programs |
Science prerequisites are typically required to have been completed within the past 5–7 years.
Entrance exams: The ATI TEAS is the most widely used nursing entrance exam across Indiana programs. Some programs accept the HESI A2. Competitive scores for ADN programs start around the 60th percentile; BSN programs at research universities typically expect 70th percentile and above. For guidance on which programs use which test, see ATI TEAS vs. HESI: which exam does your school require?
GPA: Minimum GPA requirements run 2.75–3.0 cumulative across most Indiana programs. Competitive BSN programs at IU and University of Indianapolis typically see admitted students with science GPAs of 3.2 or higher. Ivy Tech ADN programs use a competitive point-based selection system, factoring in prerequisite grades and TEAS scores. If your GPA falls below the threshold for your target program, see nursing schools that accept lower GPAs.
Clinical experience: CNA certification or healthcare work experience is required or strongly preferred by several Indiana programs. Even where not required, patient-care experience strengthens applications at competitive programs and is widely expected by employers at the point of hiring.
Application timeline: Most Indiana programs have fall entry as the primary intake. Apply early – Ivy Tech programs are high-demand and some campuses use competitive selection due to limited cohort sizes.
NCLEX pass rates in Indiana
The Indiana State Board of Nursing monitors NCLEX-RN first-attempt pass rates for all approved programs. Pass rate reports are available through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA). The national average first-attempt pass rate was approximately 87% in 2023 (NCSBN data), and Indiana-educated graduates generally track near that figure.
First-attempt pass rates are the most reliable public quality indicator for nursing programs. When evaluating Indiana schools, look at pass rate data across at least three years. Single-cohort figures are affected by class size and variation; sustained patterns across multiple years are more meaningful. Programs consistently below 80% warrant serious scrutiny.
For school-level pass rate comparisons, see NCLEX pass rates by nursing school.
Nursing license in Indiana
State licensing authority: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA) State board: Indiana State Board of Nursing Website: in.gov/pla/nursing.htm
To become a licensed RN in Indiana:
- Graduate from an Indiana State Board of Nursing–approved nursing program
- Apply for licensure through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (PLA)
- Submit to a criminal background check (required)
- Register for and pass the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE
- Receive your Indiana RN license (multistate compact license if Indiana is your primary state of residence)
Application fees and processing timelines are set by the PLA and subject to change; check the current fee schedule on the PLA website before applying.
Compact license: Indiana joined the NLC in 2020. An Indiana RN license is a multistate compact license valid in all current NLC member states. Indiana must be your declared primary state of residence to hold and maintain the Indiana multistate license. For full compact state details, see nursing license by state.
RN salary in Indiana
Bureau of Labor Statistics data places the mean annual RN wage in Indiana at approximately $65,000–$70,000 (2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics). This is below the national median of approximately $93,600 and reflects Indiana’s lower overall cost of living compared to coastal or major metro states.
Top markets in Indiana:
- Indianapolis metro – The state’s dominant healthcare labor market. Major employers include IU Health (Indiana’s largest health system), Ascension St. Vincent, Franciscan Health, and Community Health Network. Experienced RNs in specialty roles in Indianapolis can reach $73,000–$88,000.
- Fort Wayne – The second-largest healthcare market, anchored by Parkview Health and Lutheran Health Network. Fort Wayne RN wages generally run slightly below Indianapolis figures.
- Evansville, South Bend, Muncie – Regional markets with solid demand at system-affiliated hospitals and critical access facilities.
Indiana’s healthcare employment base is robust relative to state population. IU Health, Ascension, Franciscan Health, and Community Health Network collectively employ tens of thousands of clinical staff across the state. Demand for RNs in Indiana’s rural communities and long-term care sector is consistent with national shortage trends; rural hospitals and critical access facilities in the state actively recruit new graduates and may offer loan repayment incentives.
How to choose a nursing school in Indiana
Accreditation. Only consider programs accredited by CCNE or ACEN. Both are nationally recognized; either is sufficient for NCLEX eligibility, graduate school admission, and employer recognition. Confirm accreditation status directly with the program before applying.
NCLEX pass rates. Request three to five years of first-attempt NCLEX-RN pass rate data. Sustained performance above 85% indicates solid preparation. Programs with consistently lower rates should be evaluated critically.
Program format. Traditional on-campus BSN programs offer maximum clinical access and cohort structure. Ivy Tech ADN programs offer geographic flexibility and lower cost. RN-to-BSN completion programs at IU, ISU, and others suit working RNs finishing their degree. Online or hybrid formats are increasingly available at the MSN and DNP level.
Cost. In-state tuition at Indiana’s public universities (IU, Ball State, ISU, PNW) is substantially below private options like University of Indianapolis. Ivy Tech ADN programs are the lowest-cost pathway to RN licensure in the state. For cost-conscious students, the ADN-to-BSN bridge path via the IU-Ivy Tech Alliance is a well-established and fully accredited option.
Location and clinical access. Programs in Indianapolis have structural advantages in clinical site variety and complexity. Regional programs provide strong community health training and direct pipelines to local employers. Consider where you plan to practice after graduation.
For a full framework on evaluating nursing programs, see how to choose a nursing school.
Sources and references
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses, Indiana (2023): bls.gov/oes
- Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, State Board of Nursing: in.gov/pla/nursing.htm
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) – Nurse Licensure Compact member states and Indiana compact history: ncsbn.org
- NCSBN NCLEX pass rate data (2023)
- CCNE accreditation database: ccneaccreditation.org
- ACEN accreditation directory: acenursing.org