Board-reported · 2025
NCLEX Pass Rates — Pennsylvania Nursing Schools (2025)
PA State Board of Nursing — NCLEX 5-Year Pass Rates (exam years ending 2021-2025). First-time RN, cohorts of 10 or more.
As of 2025, 14 Pennsylvania schools reported first-time RN NCLEX pass rates of 82.3–98.3% , per PA State Board of Nursing — NCLEX 5-Year Pass Rates (exam years ending 2021-2025). Dataset average 91.5% (national reference 86.7%). Only display-eligible cohorts of 10+ first-time candidates are shown.
+4.8 pts vs national
14 schools · 10 at 90%+
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Partner listings — compare ADN and BSN pre-licensure programs for future RNs in Pennsylvania. Use together with the board-reported pass-rate table below; board data remains the authoritative source for state licensure outcomes.
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Pennsylvania NCLEX pass-rate ranking
14 of 14
| # | School | Credential | Pass rateNational 86.7% marked | N | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading Area Community College ADN | — | 98.3% | 60 | On site |
| 2 | Duquesne University BSN | — | 96.4% | 220 | On site |
| 3 | Bucks County Community College ADN | — | 95.2% | 62 | On site |
| 4 | Northampton Community College ADN | — | 94.9% | 59 | On site |
| 5 | Drexel University BSN | — | 94.2% | 308 | On site |
| 6 | Wilkes University BSN | — | 92.8% | 69 | On site |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh BSN | — | 92.3% | 284 | On site |
| 8 | Community College of Philadelphia ADN | — | 92.1% | 127 | On site |
| 9 | Villanova University BSN | — | 92.0% | 201 | On site |
| 10 | University of Pennsylvania BSN | — | 91.5% | 199 | On site |
| 11 | Community College of Allegheny County ADN | — | 88.2% | 254 | On site |
| 12 | Montgomery County Community College ADN | — | 87.7% | 114 | On site |
| 13 | Harrisburg Area Community College ADN | — | 83.8% | 450 | On site |
| 14 | Lehigh-Carbon Community College ADN | — | 82.3% | 130 | On site |
Source: PA State Board of Nursing — NCLEX 5-Year Pass Rates (exam years ending 2021-2025). Last verified Aug 26, 2026.
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Programs you can apply to
On-site listings from our directory. Board-reported rates above remain the source for licensure outcomes.
Reading Area Community College ADN
98.3% first-time RN
View programDuquesne University BSN
96.4% first-time RN
View programBucks County Community College ADN
95.2% first-time RN
View program
Already licensed? Next credentials for Pennsylvania nurses
Pass rates and sticker price are for the first license. Working RNs in Pennsylvania often stack an online RN-to-BSN, then an NP specialty. Online RN-to-BSN options serving Pennsylvania include Walden University at $27,710 listed total tuition in our directory. Pennsylvania is a reduced-practice state: nurse practitioners must maintain a career-long collaborative agreement with another health provider for at least one element of practice (often prescriptive authority), which limits fully independent practice.
- Bridge for working RNsRN-to-BSN programs in Pennsylvania
Employer-funded bridges are common. Directory listed totals include Walden University at $27,710.
- Nurse practitionerFNP programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a reduced-practice NP state (AANP). Family NP is the mainstream primary-care specialty.
- NP specialtyPMHNP programs in Pennsylvania
Psychiatric-mental health NP tracks for BSN-prepared nurses planning advanced practice in Pennsylvania.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate for Pennsylvania nursing schools?
How do I find nursing schools with high NCLEX pass rates in Pennsylvania?
Which programs are included in the NCLEX outcomes table for Pennsylvania?
Compare nursing programs in Pennsylvania
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