How to Get Into Nursing School in Michigan (2026 BSN Admissions Guide)

Michigan has a deep, varied set of BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs, from the direct-entry program at the University of Michigan to upper-division and competitive-admission tracks at schools like Michigan State, Wayne State, Grand Valley State, and Western Michigan. Because requirements differ sharply from school to school, knowing what each one wants gives you a real edge. Here's how to get in. Want a quick read on where you stand? Check your odds free against real Michigan programs.

1. Hit the GPA targets

Michigan BSN programs split into two camps: a few direct-entry programs you apply to as a freshman, and many upper-division programs you enter after finishing prerequisites. The GPA that matters depends on which you're targeting.

• The University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) runs a direct-entry BSN via the Common App and is test-optional for 2025-26; sophomore transfer is competitive with a 3.0+ GPA and B or better in prerequisites.
• Western Michigan University (Bronson School of Nursing) wants a 3.0 prerequisite GPA with B or better in the four sciences; direct admission from high school requires a 3.6.
• Saginaw Valley State University asks for a 3.0 science and statistics prerequisite GPA.
• Michigan State University (upper-division) sets a 2.75 cumulative minimum with each prerequisite at 2.0 or better.
• Grand Valley State lists a 2.7 minimum, but states outright that admission is highly competitive, so the floor may not suffice.
• Wayne State and Oakland University compute GPA on prerequisites only, both requiring 3.0 (Wayne with C or better in each course, Oakland with B- or better).

Where a school says minimums are competitive rather than guaranteed, treat the published number as a floor, not a target. All cutoffs here are as of 2026, so confirm on the school's official page.

2. Know which schools use an entrance exam

This is where Michigan surprises a lot of applicants: most programs in the data use no nursing entrance exam at all. Michigan, Michigan State, Wayne State, Oakland, Grand Valley, Western Michigan, Ferris State, Saginaw Valley, and others select on GPA and a composite review rather than a TEAS or HESI score.

The clear exception is Eastern Michigan University, which requires the ATI TEAS and scores it within a 485-point ranking system with no GPA cutoff. EMU publishes per-section thresholds: Reading 69%, Math 63%, Science 46%, and English 60%. If you're choosing between exams elsewhere, our guide on TEAS vs HESI A2 explains the difference, but for most of Michigan the exam simply isn't a factor.

3. Complete the prerequisite sequence

Common Michigan prerequisites include Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition, Human Growth & Development (lifespan), and English Composition. The exact list varies, and a few details trip people up:

• Some schools split Anatomy & Physiology into two courses, while Wayne State (BIO 2870) and Oakland (BIO 2006) use a single combined A&P course.
• At Grand Valley, nutrition is a corequisite, not a prerequisite; at Eastern Michigan, microbiology and nutrition are taken after admission.
• Prerequisites can expire. Wayne State lists a 10-year window, so check how old your science credits are.
• A grade of C or better in each prerequisite is common, but several schools want higher: Western Michigan and Saginaw Valley expect B/B- in sciences, and Oakland wants B- across its pre-nursing courses.

Our nursing prerequisites checklist is a good place to map yours.

4. Plan your application timeline

Michigan deadlines are scattered across the calendar, and some are once-a-year only.

• University of Michigan: November 1 (Early Action) and February 1 (sophomore transfer).
• Michigan State: April 1 (5 PM ET) for Fall; November 1 for Spring.
• Wayne State: May 1 application, transcripts by June 1, decisions July 1.
• Grand Valley State runs an extremely tight window: applications open Jan 1 and close Jan 8 at 5 p.m. for Fall (Aug 1 to Aug 8 for Winter).
• Ferris State opens once a year for a 15-day window beginning the first Monday in February.
• Western Michigan: March 15 for Fall; October 15 for Spring.

Map each school's deadline early. With windows this narrow, missing a single annual cycle can cost you a full year.

5. Round out a competitive file

Several Michigan programs use a composite or holistic review beyond raw GPA, so the rest of your application carries weight.

• Oakland combines pre-nursing GPA with an essay, a professional reference, and a character assessment.
• Wayne State runs a holistic review that includes essays and healthcare service.
• Calvin University layers a background check and drug screen onto its 2.8 pre-nursing GPA review.
• Healthcare experience (CNA, volunteering) strengthens borderline files, and a focused personal statement helps where essays are scored.
• Keep immunizations, background checks, and transcripts ready, since many programs require them at or shortly after admission.

Compare your odds across every Michigan school

Requirements vary widely, from the direct-entry program at the University of Michigan to the GPA-driven, composite-review programs at Wayne State and Grand Valley. Not sure where you stand? Start with what GPA you need for nursing school, then check your odds free and use the Nursing School Planner to match your GPA and prerequisites against real Michigan BSN requirements. You can also browse all Michigan nursing programs together.

*This guide is for planning purposes only. Always confirm current requirements on each school's official admissions page before applying.*