What Is It Known For?
Nightingale College is a private for-profit nursing school based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 2010, the college was created to address a growing shortage of qualified and compassionate nurses. Owned by Nightingale College, LLC, a Delaware company supported by Palm Ventures, LLC, it has guided thousands of students, helping them turn dedication, personal sacrifice, and empathy into meaningful careers in nursing and nursing education.
In Fall 2023, enrollment reached 4,265 students, and similar numbers are expected each year. The college continues to expand its programs and online offerings to meet the evolving needs of healthcare employers nationwide.
Degrees & Certifications
The college offers several pathways for students interested in:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (BSN)
- The LPN-to-ASN Program
- Practical Nurse Diploma Program (PN)
- Master of Science in Nursing for Educators (MSN Ed)
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
Most courses at Nightingale College are delivered online, while some programs combine digital instruction with on-site clinical practice. Nightingale’s hands-on training is known as Supervised On-ground Field Experiences, giving students real-world exposure in healthcare settings. The school does not offer evening classes, and program schedules are structured to allow students to complete clinical requirements during daytime hours.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. The Nightingale College is institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which confirms the quality of its programs, faculty, and student outcomes.
Acceptance Rate
The college has an open admission policy, with a reported acceptance rate of 100%.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
Tuition at Nightingale College is charged per credit hour. Undergraduate programs generally range from $14,470 to $22,630, while graduate programs cost between $8,830 and $11,550. Additional expenses such as housing, food, and transportation are separate. For a personalized estimate, students can use the Net Price Calculator or contact the school directly.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- LPN
- Practical Nursing
- BSN
- RN-to-BSN
- MSN
Campus Locations
Salt Lake City 95 S State St Suite 400, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, Nightingale College has a very mixed and highly polarized reputation. While some graduates praise the college for providing a fast track into nursing, a significant number of recent reviews express severe frustration over high costs, poor administrative organization, and a perceived lack of instructional support.
Overall Score: 3.4/5 Stars
Common Praises
Fast Track to Nursing: Many positive reviews, especially those from years ago, praise the college for offering an accelerated path with “no waiting lists” that allowed them to start their career faster than traditional universities.
Flexible and Convenient Format: The online and distance-learning format is praised for its convenience, making it possible for working professionals and those in rural areas to complete their degree.
Supportive Staff (Initial Experience): Several long-term and older reviews highlight staff and instructors as “supportive, encouraging, and always willing to help.” This suggests that while initial, older experiences were very positive, the quality of support has declined in recent years.
Common Criticisms
Excessive Cost and Poor Value: This is a major concern. Reviewers state the college is a “shameless money grab,” with high tuition that is not matched by the quality of the education. There are complaints about tuition increases and a system that seems designed to make students fail or repeat classes, leading to more debt.
Poor/Unresponsive Faculty and Administration: The most recent criticisms (within the last few months) focus on “Lazy, worthless, ‘professors'” who allegedly give zeros on assignments without feedback and fail to respond to students seeking help. Reviewers claim that administration is unorganized, leading to last-minute travel demands (up to $3,000 for clinicals) and inconsistent communication.
Lack of Quality Instruction (Self-Taught Model): Multiple students claim the education is largely “self-taught,” with faculty directing them to outside resources like YouTube for skills. This, combined with an intense, accelerated workload, leads to a “mentally draining” experience that some feel does not properly prepare new nurses.
Administrative and Financial Issues: One former student had to withdraw due to a medical emergency with a newborn and reported significant difficulty getting a refund or resolution. Other reviews complain of bait-and-switch tactics where support staff “disappear” once loans are secured.
Momentum
The recent reviews (from the last three years, and particularly the last few months) show a decisive trend of negative momentum, with multiple detailed complaints about the quality of instruction, unhelpful faculty, high costs, and administrative chaos. The college owner has a consistent history of responding to both positive and negative reviews, often defending the NCLEX pass rates but also acknowledging issues with organization and poor faculty behavior. The most severe complaints about costs and the self-taught model are dominant in the recent feedback.