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

  • California institutional average in our dataset: 91.2% (2025).
  • Small cohorts (fewer than 10 first-time candidates) are marked display-ineligible and not shown as headline rates.
  • California is not an NLC compact state; graduates need California licensure (or endorsement) to practice there.
  • National first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate reference: 87.5% (NCSBN).
  • 8 California schools with latest-year pass rates at or above 90%.

91.2%

California first-time RN average (2025)

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

13

Schools with N≥10 cohorts in 2025

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

8

Schools at or above 90%

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

Last verified 2026-08-21. Only display-eligible cohorts (N≥10) are shown.

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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.

Next step: compare California programs by what matters to you

California schools in this table average 91.2% first-time NCLEX-RN pass (13 schools, N≥10; 8 above 90%). Pass rates tell you how a program performs — these views narrow the same California schools by cost, speed, and seat availability.

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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.
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