LPN to BSN Programs in Arkansas

Arkansas offers 8 LPN-to-BSN bridge programs for Licensed Practical Nurses seeking bachelor's degrees and RN licensure eligibility. These programs recognize prior nursing education and provide pathways to BSN completion. Schools operate in Jonesboro, Russellville, Searcy, Fayetteville, Little Rock, and Conway, with program listings showing location and average NCLEX-RN pass rates for comparison.

Arkansas Tech University in Russellville 3-years average NCLEX pass rate for RN programs is 97.3%, and ranked among the highest in the state. The university follows the Arkansas Nursing Education Progression Model and awards 17 articulated credit hours for LPN/LPTN progression after completing ATU coursework. Admission requirements include a 3.0 prerequisite GPA, CPR certification, liability insurance, and criminal background check clearance. Application materials are due March 1st for fall admission.

Harding University in Searcy posts a 100% average NCLEX-RN pass rate for RN programs. The university operates an Advanced Placement Track for licensed nurses, including LPN to BSN students. Admission thresholds require a 2.0 overall GPA and 2.5 GPA in pre-nursing courses. Harding accepts applications on two annual deadlines: March 1st for fall entry and October 1st for spring entry.

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock shows a 91.0% NCLEX pass rate. Their BSN application window opens October 1, 2025 and closes March 1, 2026. UAMS requires TEAS testing for applicants without existing bachelor's degrees.

Arkansas RN licensure by examination requires applying through the Arkansas Nurse Portal and registering with Pearson VUE for NCLEX-RN testing. The state mandates completion of state and federal criminal background checks as part of the licensure process.

Review all eight programs using location and NCLEX-RN pass rate data below ...then verify current admissions requirements and timelines through individual school official website before submitting applications.

Where possible, we include NCLEX pass rates data for each campus. The average pass rates are calculated using the last 3 years of data. The average scores are then used in our annual RN/PN rankings. You can read more about it here. You can also view this year's rankings for Arkansas here.

Updated: February 23, 2026
Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
97.2%
RN test takers per year
63
RN rank (2025)
#1
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
Harding University

Harding University

Searcy, AR
Private
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
98.1%
RN test takers per year
31
RN rank (2025)
#1
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Little Rock, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
92.1%
RN test takers per year
99
RN rank (2025)
#4
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
89.6%
RN test takers per year
71
RN rank (2025)
#6
NCLEX-PN pass rate
80.1%
PN test takers (avg)
12
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
PN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
88.4%
RN test takers per year
255
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas

Conway, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
87.8%
RN test takers per year
117
RN rank (2025)
#7
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
Henderson State University

Henderson State University

Arkadelphia, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

CCNE North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
87.5%
RN test takers per year
28
RN rank (2025)
#8
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend
Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University

Jonesboro, AR
Public
4-year

Accreditations

ACEN COA North Central Association of C...

Programs Offered

LPN to BSN

NCLEX Stats

NCLEX-RN pass rate
79.4%
RN test takers per year
99
RN NCLEX Pass Rate Trend