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 42 of 92 schools

#	School	Pass Rate	vs National Avg	Candidates	Accreditation
51	Ohlone College California	91.3%	+3.8% Above avg	23	ACEN	View School
52	Washington State College of Ohio Ohio	90.7%	+3.2% Above avg	54	ACEN	View School
53	Onondaga Community College New York	90.4%	+2.9% Above avg	52	ACEN	View School
54	Michigan State University	89.9%	+2.4% Above avg	0	CCNE	View School
55	Jackson State Community College Ohio	89.7%	+2.2% Above avg	68	ACEN	View School
56	Western Iowa Tech Community College Iowa	89.7%	+2.2% Above avg	29	ACEN	View School
57	Lakeland Community College Ohio	89.6%	+2.1% Above avg	77	ACEN	View School
58	Sinclair Community College Ohio	89.6%	+2.1% Above avg	125	ACEN	View School
59	Indiana State University	89.0%	+1.5% Above avg	0	CCNE	View School
60	Ohio State University Ohio	88.7%	+1.2% Above avg	186	CCNE	View School
61	National University California	87.8%	+0.3% Above avg	221	CCNE	View School
62	University of Cincinnati Ohio	87.6%	+0.1% Above avg	209	CCNE	View School
63	Jacksonville University Florida	86.9%	-0.6% Below avg	107	CCNE	View School
64	Lorain County Community College Ohio	86.6%	-0.9% Below avg	127	ACEN	View School
65	College of the Florida Keys Florida	85.7%	-1.8% Below avg	35	ACEN	View School
66	Cuyahoga Community College Ohio	85.5%	-2.0% Below avg	235	ACEN	View School
67	Case Western Reserve University Ohio	85.1%	-2.4% Below avg	114	CCNE	View School
68	Galen College of Nursing Florida	84.6%	-2.9% Below avg	78	CCNE	View School
69	Unitek College Nevada	84.1%	-3.4% Below avg	63	ACEN	View School
70	Ameritech College of Healthcare	83.5%	-4.0% Below avg	0	ACEN	View School
71	Arizona College of Nursing Florida	83.3%	-4.2% Below avg	54	CCNE	View School
72	St. Thomas University Florida	83.3%	-4.2% Below avg	6	CCNE	View School
73	Yuba College California	83.0%	-4.5% Below avg	59	ACEN	View School
74	Palm Beach State College Florida	82.6%	-4.9% Below avg	92	ACEN	View School
75	Rasmussen University	82.1%	-5.4% Below avg	0	ACEN	View School
76	Keiser University Florida	81.8%	-5.7% Below avg	33	CCNE	View School
77	Florida State University Florida	81.1%	-6.4% Below avg	175	CCNE	View School
78	West Coast University Florida	80.5%	-7.0% Below avg	123	CCNE	View School
79	Simmons University	80.0%	-7.5% Below avg	0	CCNE	View School
80	Santa Fe College Florida	80.0%	-7.5% Below avg	150	ACEN	View School
81	Denver College of Nursing	79.8%	-7.7% Below avg	0	CCNE	View School
82	Chamberlain University	79.8%	-7.8% Below avg	0	CCNE	View School
83	Houston Community College New York	79.5%	-8.0% Below avg	39	ACEN	View School
84	Brookline College	78.6%	-8.9% Below avg	0	ACEN	View School
85	Palm Beach Atlantic University Florida	78.6%	-8.9% Below avg	14	ACEN	View School
86	Herzing University Florida	77.3%	-10.2% Below avg	22	ACEN	View School
87	Concorde Career College	76.3%	-11.2% Below avg	0	ACEN	View School
88	Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences Florida	76.2%	-11.3% Below avg	21	CCNE	View School
89	Broward College Florida	74.3%	-13.2% Low	214	ACEN	View School
90	Western Governors University Florida	62.5%	-25.0% Low	8	CCNE	View School
91	Trocaire College New York	60.5%	-27.0% Low	306	ACEN	View School
92	Iowa Valley Community College District Iowa	0.0%	-87.5% Low	1	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.

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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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