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

Oklahoma offers a solid mix of BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs, from the OU Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing in Oklahoma City to regional public campuses and private universities like the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma City University. Because requirements differ from school to school, knowing each program's specifics gives you a real edge. Here's how to get in, grounded in what Oklahoma programs actually require. Want a quick read on where you stand? Check your odds free.

1. Hit the GPA targets

Most Oklahoma BSN programs set a cumulative GPA floor between 2.5 and 3.0, but admitted students usually land well above the minimum.

• University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University both list a 2.5 minimum cumulative GPA; OU also requires a 2.5 science GPA.
• East Central University sets a higher 2.7 minimum, and Oklahoma City University requires a 2.75 cumulative GPA.
• The University of Tulsa requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA to apply and be admitted to its Level I sophomore nursing courses.
• A grade of C or better in each prerequisite is standard across the state.

A few schools, such as Northeastern State University and Oklahoma Baptist University, do not publish a single fixed overall GPA minimum and instead use competitive or general-education GPA rubrics. As of 2026, confirm the exact figure on each school's official page, since cutoffs can change.

2. Prepare for the entrance exam (it varies by school)

Oklahoma is split on entrance exams, so check each program carefully:

• TEAS schools: Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, and Southwestern Oklahoma State University all require the ATI TEAS. Most do not publish a hard minimum score and instead use a competitive rubric (NSU, for example, treats roughly 85+ as highly competitive).
• HESI A2 schools: Oklahoma State University requires the HESI A2 with a minimum score of 75, and East Central University also requires the HESI A2 (points-based, no published cutoff).
• No entrance exam stated: University of Oklahoma, University of Central Oklahoma (which dropped its standardized test requirement), Langston University, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma Baptist University, and the University of Tulsa do not list a required entrance exam.

None of the Oklahoma programs in our data require CASPer. If you are choosing between exams, our guide on TEAS vs HESI A2 breaks down the differences.

3. Complete the prerequisite sequence

Oklahoma prerequisites cluster around a familiar science core. Common requirements include Human Anatomy and Human Physiology (some schools split these as separate courses rather than A&P I and II), Microbiology, Chemistry, Statistics, Nutrition, Developmental/Lifespan Psychology, and English Composition.

• OU requires Chemistry with lab, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and English Comp I and II; it lists Statistics and Psychology as recommended rather than required.
• Northwestern Oklahoma State, East Central, Langston, and the University of Tulsa carry the fuller sequence including Statistics, Nutrition, and Lifespan Development.
• Oklahoma City University notes that Human Anatomy and Human Physiology substitute for A&P I and II, and does not require psychology or college algebra for its traditional track.

Course numbering and exact lists vary, and older science courses may need to be retaken. Use our nursing prerequisites checklist to plan, and confirm specifics on each program's official page.

4. Plan your application timeline

Oklahoma deadlines run on a wide range of cycles, so map them early:

• University of Oklahoma: Apply by December 1 for a Fall start.
• Oklahoma State University: Fall by January 31; Spring by August 31.
• University of Central Oklahoma: Fall by the last Friday in January; Spring by the last Friday in June.
• Northeastern State University: April 15 for the annual Fall cohort.
• East Central University: Fall by March 1; Spring by September 1 (with separate university-acceptance deadlines).
• Northwestern Oklahoma State: Application cycle runs October 1 to February 1.
• Southwestern Oklahoma State: Fall September 1 to February 1; Spring February 23 to July 1.
• Langston University: March 1 (Fall) and October 1 (Spring), with cohorts at Langston, Tulsa, and Ardmore.

Several programs are upper-division models: you complete prerequisites first, then apply to enter the nursing sequence (the University of Tulsa, for instance, admits into Level I sophomore courses). Others, like Oklahoma City University, review first-year applicants on a rolling basis. Missing a single annual cycle can cost you a full year, so confirm each deadline on the school's official page.

5. Round out a competitive file

• A focused personal statement helps in holistic review.
• Healthcare experience (CNA, volunteering) strengthens borderline applications.
• Some programs, such as Northeastern State, require a fingerprint background check and drug screen, so be ready for those steps.
• Keep immunizations, background checks, and transcripts ready, since many programs require them at or shortly after admission.

Compare your odds across every Oklahoma school

Requirements vary widely from OU and Oklahoma State to the regional and private campuses. Not sure where you stand? Start with what GPA you need for nursing school and our nursing prerequisites checklist. Then use the Nursing School Planner to check your GPA and prerequisites against real Oklahoma BSN requirements, check your odds free for each program, or browse all Oklahoma nursing programs together.

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