NCLEX Pass Rates — California Nursing Schools (2025)

As of 2025, 13 California schools reported first-time RN NCLEX pass rates of 79.3–100.0% , per California BRN NCLEX Pass Rates (BRN-approved pre-licensure RN programs). Dataset average 91.2% (national reference 87.5%). Only display-eligible cohorts of 10+ first-time candidates are shown.

91.2%
California State Average
13
Schools (N≥10)
8
Schools Above 90%

Key takeaways

  • National first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate reference: 87.5% (NCSBN).
  • California institutional average in our dataset: 91.2% (2025).
  • 8 California schools with latest-year pass rates at or above 90%.
  • Small cohorts (fewer than 10 first-time candidates) are marked display-ineligible and not shown as headline rates.
  • 1 accredited programs in our directory publish a program-level NCLEX outcome for California students.

Explore accredited nursing programs in California

Partner listings — compare RN prep tracks and formats for students in California. Use together with the board-reported pass-rate tables below; board data remains the authoritative source for state licensure outcomes.

Sponsored · Disclosure

Compare nursing pathways in California — partner BSN, RN-to-BSN, and online programs accepting applications now.

First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates — California schools

As of 2025, 13 California schools reported first-time RN NCLEX pass rates of 79.3–100.0% , per California BRN NCLEX Pass Rates (BRN-approved pre-licensure RN programs). Only display-eligible cohorts of 10+ first-time candidates are shown.

Pass rate

Showing 13 of 13 schools.

13 California schools with display-eligible first-time RN NCLEX pass rates (N≥10 candidates, latest reporting year)
Sierra College100.0%332025
Ventura College100.0%772025
Saddleback College98.8%822025
Gavilan College95.8%242025
American Career College94.8%2722025
Loma Linda University – School of Nursing91.4%1512025
Ohlone College91.3%232025
West Coast University90.0%30702025
National University87.8%2212025
UCSF School of Nursing87.2%472024
Unitek College86.3%3432025
Yuba College83.0%592025
Samuel Merritt University – College of Nursing79.3%4292025

Source: California BRN NCLEX Pass Rates (BRN-approved pre-licensure RN programs)

Nursing programs with NCLEX outcomes (California)

Programs that serve California (including online options enrolling residents) with a program-level NCLEX pass rate on record. Includes RN pathway types in our directory. On campus first by default — treat board school rates above as authoritative for licensure outcomes.

Showing 1 of 1 program. Default order: on campus first.

California programs with program-level NCLEX figures — on campus first; click headers to sort
Unitek CollegeBSNOn Campus83.6%

Program-level figures from the MyNursingSchools directory. Board-reported school rates remain the authoritative licensure source.

Find Schools With 90%+ NCLEX Pass Rates in California

Get matched with high-performing accredited nursing programs.

Just starting out? Begin your nursing career in California

Not in a program yet? Pick the entry path that fits your timeline. Becoming an LPN is the fastest route into licensed nursing — often 12 to 18 months — and it bridges cleanly into an RN later.

More in California

compare California nursing tuitionBest Schools in CaliforniaPrograms in CaliforniaAccelerated BSN in CaliforniaFastest programs in CaliforniaMSN & DNP programs in CaliforniaNP specialty programsNursing scholarships in CaliforniaNursing Salary in CaliforniaAll NCLEX Data
What is the average NCLEX pass rate for California nursing schools?
The average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for schools in California is 91.2%, compared to the national average of 87.5%. Display-eligible school rates in our table range from 79.3% to 100.0%. Source: California BRN NCLEX Pass Rates (BRN-approved pre-licensure RN programs).
How do I find nursing schools with high NCLEX pass rates in California?
Use the board-reported school table on this page — 13 California schools with first-time RN rates from cohorts of 10+ candidates. Compare those rates against the state average (91.2%) and the national reference (87.5%). Small cohorts under 10 candidates are excluded because 100% rates from tiny samples are statistically unreliable.
Which programs are included in the NCLEX outcomes table for California?
The primary table lists 13 schools with display-eligible, board-reported first-time RN NCLEX rates (latest year, N≥10). A secondary directory section may list programs serving California that also publish a program-level figure — treat board data as authoritative for licensure outcomes.
Free Program Matching

Get Matched with Accredited Nursing Programs

Tell us your zip code and program preference, and we’ll connect you with top nursing schools that match your goals — tuition budget, schedule, and location.

Takes 30 seconds — completely freeCompare tuition, accreditation, and program lengthNo spam — only programs that fit your criteria

Find Programs Near You

Enter your details to see matching programs.

Free. No obligation. No spam.

We collect anonymous, aggregate analytics by default to help us improve the site — no cookies are set and you are not personally identified. Click Accept All to enable cookie-based analytics for more accurate measurement. See our Privacy Policy for details. You can change your choice anytime via Cookie Preferences in the footer.