NCLEX Data

NCLEX Pass Rates by School (2025)

Q: What is a good NCLEX pass rate for a nursing school?

The national NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is approximately 87.5% (NCSBN 2025). Programs consistently above 90% are considered strong performers. Programs below 80% warrant scrutiny — ask why and what the school is doing to improve.

Q: How are NCLEX pass rates calculated?

NCLEX pass rates reflect the percentage of first-time test-takers from a program who pass the exam within a given year. Schools with fewer than 25 candidates are often excluded from published reports to protect student privacy. Multi-year averages are more reliable than single-year snapshots.

Q: What is the difference between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?

NCLEX-RN is the licensure exam for Registered Nurses (RN) — required after completing an ADN or BSN program. NCLEX-PN is the exam for Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) — required after completing an LPN/LVN diploma or certificate program. The national NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is 87.5%; the NCLEX-PN rate is 83.4%.

Q: Where does this pass rate data come from?

Pass rate data is sourced from state boards of nursing, which are required to publish institutional NCLEX pass rates annually. Data is compiled from the most recent available reporting year. Sources include the NCSBN annual report and individual state board publications.

Q: Can I filter NCLEX pass rates by state?

Yes — use the state filter links below the table, or browse any state-specific page. Each state board of nursing publishes pass rates for programs within their jurisdiction.

Q: Why do NCLEX pass rates vary so much between schools?

Pass rates are influenced by admissions selectivity, curriculum quality, NCLEX preparation resources, student support services, and the mix of full-time vs. part-time students. Smaller programs can show high variance year-to-year due to small cohort sizes. Always look at 3–5 year averages when evaluating a school.

Compare first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for accredited nursing schools nationwide. National average: 87.5%.

87.5%

National Avg (2025)

Schools in Database

Above 90%

Above National Avg

Key takeaways

National first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate: 87.5% (NCSBN 2025). Programs above 90% are considered strong performers.
NCLEX pass rates reflect first-time candidates only — multi-year averages are more reliable than single-year snapshots.
Programs below 80% for two consecutive years face mandatory state board review; verify current accreditation status before enrolling.
Small programs (<25 candidates) are often excluded from public reports — contact the school directly for outcome data.
Filtering by state shows only programs in that state's nursing board jurisdiction. State boards publish pass rates annually.

Exam:NCLEX-RN NCLEX-PN

Min rate:All 75%+85%+90%+95%+

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NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rates — 2025

Showing 50 of 67 schools (85%+ filter)

#	School	Pass Rate	vs National Avg	Candidates	Accreditation
1	Georgetown University	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
2	Marquette University	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
3	Excelsior University New York	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	2	ACEN	View School
4	Regis College	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
5	Hagerstown Community College New York	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	67	ACEN	View School
6	Sierra College California	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	33	ACEN	View School
7	Northeast Texas Community College Iowa	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	52	ACEN	View School
8	Ventura College California	100.0%	+12.5% Excellent	77	ACEN	View School
9	Saddleback College California	98.8%	+11.3% Excellent	82	ACEN	View School
10	Florida Gulf Coast University Florida	98.4%	+10.9% Excellent	63	CCNE	View School
11	Texas A&M University	98.3%	+10.8% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
12	Sacred Heart University	98.0%	+10.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
13	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	98.0%	+10.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
14	Boston College	98.0%	+10.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
15	Liberty University	97.9%	+10.4% Excellent	0	ACEN	View School
16	Rockland Community College New York	97.9%	+10.4% Excellent	97	ACEN	View School
17	Kirkwood Community College Iowa	97.4%	+9.9% Excellent	78	ACEN	View School
18	Seton Hall University	97.4%	+9.9% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
19	University of Pittsburgh	97.2%	+9.7% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
20	University of Tennessee at Knoxville	97.0%	+9.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
21	DePaul University	97.0%	+9.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
22	Vanderbilt University	97.0%	+9.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
23	University of Alabama at Birmingham	96.7%	+9.2% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
24	University of Colorado — Anschutz Medical Campus	96.7%	+9.2% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
25	Florida International University Florida	96.5%	+9.0% Excellent	114	CCNE	View School
26	Loyola University Chicago	96.4%	+8.9% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
27	Hudson Valley Community College New York	96.1%	+8.6% Excellent	77	ACEN	View School
28	Nevada State University Nevada	96.0%	+8.5% Excellent	252	CCNE	View School
29	Florida State College at Jacksonville Florida	96.0%	+8.5% Excellent	149	ACEN	View School
30	Gavilan College California	95.8%	+8.3% Excellent	24	ACEN	View School
31	Grand Canyon University	95.6%	+8.1% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
32	Villanova University	95.6%	+8.1% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
33	Duke University	95.0%	+7.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
34	Emory University	95.0%	+7.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
35	Arizona State University	95.0%	+7.5% Excellent	0	CCNE	View School
36	Finger Lakes Community College New York	94.9%	+7.4% Above avg	59	ACEN	View School
37	American Career College California	94.8%	+7.3% Above avg	272	ACEN	View School
38	Daytona State College Florida	94.7%	+7.2% Above avg	187	ACEN	View School
39	Seminole State College of Florida Florida	94.5%	+7.0% Above avg	146	ACEN	View School
40	University of Florida Florida	94.3%	+6.8% Above avg	106	CCNE	View School
41	Southern Maine Community College Ohio	93.9%	+6.4% Above avg	33	ACEN	View School
42	Columbus State Community College Ohio	93.9%	+6.4% Above avg	212	ACEN	View School
43	Truckee Meadows Community College Nevada	93.8%	+6.3% Above avg	64	ACEN	View School
44	ECPI University Florida	93.8%	+6.3% Above avg	16	ACEN	View School
45	Monroe Community College New York	93.6%	+6.1% Above avg	93	ACEN	View School
46	University of Texas at Arlington	93.3%	+5.8% Above avg	0	CCNE	View School
47	South University Florida	93.3%	+5.8% Above avg	15	CCNE	View School
48	University of Michigan — Flint	93.0%	+5.5% Above avg	0	CCNE	View School
49	University of South Florida Florida	91.6%	+4.1% Above avg	203	CCNE	View School
50	North Iowa Area Community College Iowa	91.4%	+3.9% Above avg	35	ACEN	View School

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Data sourced from state boards of nursing and NCSBN annual reports. National average 87.5% (NCLEX-RN) and 83.4% (NCLEX-PN) per NCSBN 2025 report. Pass rates are first-time, first-attempt for graduates from accredited programs.

NCLEX Pass Rates by State

Each state board of nursing publishes pass rates for programs in their jurisdiction.

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What is a good NCLEX pass rate for a nursing school?

The national NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is approximately 87.5% (NCSBN 2025). Programs consistently above 90% are considered strong performers. Programs below 80% warrant scrutiny — ask why and what the school is doing to improve.

How are NCLEX pass rates calculated?

NCLEX pass rates reflect the percentage of first-time test-takers from a program who pass the exam within a given year. Schools with fewer than 25 candidates are often excluded from published reports to protect student privacy. Multi-year averages are more reliable than single-year snapshots.

What is the difference between NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN?

NCLEX-RN is the licensure exam for Registered Nurses (RN) — required after completing an ADN or BSN program. NCLEX-PN is the exam for Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN) — required after completing an LPN/LVN diploma or certificate program. The national NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate is 87.5%; the NCLEX-PN rate is 83.4%.

Where does this pass rate data come from?

Pass rate data is sourced from state boards of nursing, which are required to publish institutional NCLEX pass rates annually. Data is compiled from the most recent available reporting year. Sources include the NCSBN annual report and individual state board publications.

Can I filter NCLEX pass rates by state?

Yes — use the state filter links below the table, or browse any state-specific page. Each state board of nursing publishes pass rates for programs within their jurisdiction.

Why do NCLEX pass rates vary so much between schools?

Pass rates are influenced by admissions selectivity, curriculum quality, NCLEX preparation resources, student support services, and the mix of full-time vs. part-time students. Smaller programs can show high variance year-to-year due to small cohort sizes. Always look at 3–5 year averages when evaluating a school.

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