Associate Degree in Nursing at Southwestern College

Overview

Tuition $8,474

Licensure pass rate (2025) 92.2%

Duration 24 months

Accreditor ACEN

An associate-level nursing degree that qualifies graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and practice as registered nurses. RNs provide and coordinate patient care and educate patients and the public about health conditions.

Career outlook

Employers hire ADN-prepared registered nurses to provide and coordinate direct patient care, administer treatments, and educate patients across hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings.

Getting in

What Southwestern College asks for, taken from its own admissions page.

Entrance exam TEAS

Minimum GPA 2.5

Apply through School application

What you'll need

Transcripts
Prerequisite courses
Background check
Drug screen
Immunizations

Paper application packet accepted in person or by mail November 2, 2026 to February 5, 2027 for the Fall 2027 cohort (one August start per year, no deferrals); multi-criteria point system. Science prerequisites (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology with in-person labs; recency 10/7 years) need a cumulative 2.5 GPA plus English, statistics, communication, child development and psychology courses; TEAS composite 62 minimum. Estimated program cost $8,474 to $8,997 for residents; Covid vaccine proof required at application; program is at the Higher Education Center at Otay Mesa.

Prerequisite courses

Checked Oct 2026 on the school's site. Requirements change each cycle, so confirm before you apply.

Prerequisites

The prerequisites you'll need to meet to apply to this program at Southwestern College. Open a category to see each one.

College courses

8

Entrance exams

1

Certifications

1

Health and background checks

1

Application basics

4

Paths

Routes into ADN. The first step is where you enroll today.

Pre-Nursing to RN

Community college ADN pathway

Pre-Nursing ADN

Ready to become a nurse? Start with Pre-Nursing, find community college ADN programs that fit your goals, and get help planning your prerequisites and applications.

Timeline: 2 to 3 years

View path

Pre-Nursing to RN

HSI community college ADN pathway

Pre-Nursing ADN

Ready to become a nurse? Start with Pre-Nursing, find ADN programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions, and get help planning your prerequisites and applications.

Timeline: 2 to 3 years

View path

CNA Exam Prep to RN

Community college ADN pathway

CNA Prep ADN

Ready to become a nurse? Start by preparing for your CNA exam, gain patient care experience, and get help planning your path into a community college ADN program.

Timeline: 2 to 3 years

View path

Georgia CNA to RN

Community college ADN pathway

CNA ADN

Ready to become a nurse in Georgia? Start with your CNA, gain patient care experience, and get help planning your path into a Georgia ADN program.

Timeline: 2 to 3 years

View path