Eastern University

Eastern University is a private institution in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1925 as a department in the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The university became a separate institution in 1952 and moved to its current location. It was renamed Eastern College in 1972 and achieved university status in 2001. It also recently acquired its parent institution. The Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary is now part of Eastern University. Eastern University is structured into five different colleges, with departments located on the main campus. The campus includes 114 acres of academic buildings and is just a few miles west of Philadelphia.

Eastern University offers three paths to earning a BSN. These CCNE-accredited programs include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN. However, the university does not offer any graduate degree programs in nursing. The accelerated BSN program is a two-year program for those who already have a bachelor’s degree with a non-nursing major. The traditional BSN is a four-year program and requires 20 credits of prerequisite courses. These courses can be completed at Eastern University or any accredited institution. Both programs include clinical placements at local clinics. Some of these locations include children’s hospitals, outpatient clinics, and hospice care.

Updated on: 02 Nov, 2025

Program Length & Format

2 years full-time
Credit hours required: 66 nursing credits
Format: On-campus
Entry as junior-level BSN pre-licensure student
Program currently not enrolling new students

Admission Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in any major from an accredited institution required
Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 on all prior undergraduate work
Minimum combined GPA of 2.8 in prerequisite science courses (Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Chemistry, Microbiology)
Prerequisites must be completed within seven years of intended start date
Applicants with GPA or prerequisite deficiencies may submit a separate 1-2 page GPA Explanation Letter

Prerequisites

Anatomy & Physiology I & II (8 credits)
Chemistry (4 credits)
Microbiology (4 credits)
Nutrition (3 credits, must be taught by a registered dietitian)
Statistics (3 credits)
Psychology (3 credits)
Total prerequisite credits: 25

Application

Complete Adult Undergraduate application form
Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended
International coursework requires course-by-course evaluation by approved agencies
Non-English degrees may require TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores
Personal essay (300-500 words) describing how program supports personal and professional goals
Resume listing academic and work experience
Two recommendation forms: one academic, one professional preferred; recommenders submit forms directly via email link
Optional GPA Explanation Letter if applicant does not meet GPA or prerequisite requirements

Cost & Financial Aid

Tuition: $725 per credit hour (2024-2025 academic year)
Program fees: $94 per credit hour covering ATI resources and advising benchmarks
Additional fees may apply including graduation fee ($185 one time), transcript fee ($80 one time), and optional board ($3,158 per semester)
Financial aid available; eligibility based on submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Clinical & Simulation Lab

Clinical hours integrated with theory courses in varied settings (critical care, emergency, labor and delivery, outpatient, inpatient)
Clinical ratio: 8 students to 1 clinical instructor
Access to Nursing Resource & Simulation Lab with simulated healthcare environments
Optional paid externship opportunity during second summer, or option to take summer off

Selection Process

Admission is selective and not guaranteed by meeting minimum criteria
Applications reviewed after deadline considering academic record and alignment with program goals

Credit Transfer

Transfer credits accepted from prior bachelor's degree to fulfill program requirements
Prerequisites can be satisfied by coursework at Eastern University or other accredited institutions