If you’re searching “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” you’ve likely seen rankings shift month to month. Boards of nursing release results quarterly or annually, and outcomes vary by state, program type (ADN vs BSN), cohort size, and the Next Gen NCLEX transition. A school may post 100% one term, yet hover near the average over time.
This guide shows you how to find the leaders and read the numbers with context: first-time vs repeat takers, domestic vs international graduates, and sample sizes. We’ll pull from state reports and datasets, compare programs apples-to-apples, and highlight consistent performers. By the end, you’ll build a shortlist and choose a program that fits your timeline, budget, clinical exposure, and career goals.
What nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate? There isn’t one fixed, permanent winner—top spots change by state and year. Check your state board’s program reports for the most recent quarter/year, and compare pass rates with cohort sizes. Many schools hit 100% in a given window (especially with small cohorts). Use NCSBN and state board lists to find current leaders, then weigh consistency and class size before you choose.
Best Nursing Schools by NCLEX Pass Rate 2025 Rankings
The question “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate?” sounds simple, but it hides three moving parts: time, geography, and math. Time matters because boards post quarterly and annual results, and the Next Gen NCLEX changed difficulty profiles starting in April 2023. Geography matters because each state board tracks in-state programs and standards differ (some states even require programs to meet a minimum percentage of the national pass rate). Math matters because a school with 10 test-takers can post 100% more easily than a school graduating 200 nurses. That’s why the best way to answer “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” is to check current state reports and then apply common-sense filters: first-time takers only, most recent window, and a meaningful sample size.
Next Gen NCLEX (NGN) introduced case-based items and partial-credit scoring. After NGN launched, the U.S. first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate rebounded sharply in 2023 and remained high in 2024, according to NCSBN’s annual statistics. That rebound means more programs are reporting excellent outcomes, and more programs can claim “top” status in a given period. If you’re asking “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” factor in these national trends so you don’t misread a spike (or dip) as purely a program effect.
How to Find Today’s Leaders in NCLEX Pass Rates Among Nursing Schools
Want a real answer to what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate today? Use this quick, data-first workflow to separate one-off spikes from consistent top performers.
Start with the national context (NCSBN)
Before you zoom into schools, check the national first-time pass rates for the year. Knowing the U.S. baseline helps you evaluate whether a school’s outcome is genuinely elite or simply average in a strong year. NGN-era figures show a higher bar than 2022; adjust your expectations accordingly. This frames your search for “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” with the right benchmark.
Pull your state’s program-level report
Your board of nursing typically posts quarterly and/or annual spreadsheets listing each program’s first-time pass rate and number tested. Open the latest file and sort by % pass. This is where you’ll see which programs currently answer “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” in your state.
Filter by first-time takers and cohort size
Compare first-time results only. Then eliminate outliers with tiny cohorts (e.g., 1–10 test-takers). Re-rank remaining programs by pass rate, noting those with 95%+ and 50+ candidates. This keeps “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” grounded in meaningful data.
Scannable Takeaways Highest NCLEX Pass Rate Nursing Programs
When you’re scanning for “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” use these quick filters to separate signal from noise—especially in NGN’s higher-pass-rate era.
- Quarter vs. year. Quarter-by-quarter spikes happen; annual data smooths variance. If you’re hunting “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” prefer annual state files and only use quarterly lists to spot rising programs.
- the size filter. Give extra weight to programs with ≥50 first-time testers; treat perfect 10/10 terms as promising but fragile. This keeps “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” aligned with statistical reality (small denominators swing wildly).
- State leaders exist even in tough states. Florida’s overall RN pass rate lagged in 2024, yet some programs posted 100% in specific quarters. When comparing “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” look beyond the state’s headline to the program row.
- Examples you can verify. North Carolina’s 2024 list shows multiple programs at 100% for the year (e.g., Cabarrus College of Health Sciences). Florida’s Q1 2024 report shows several programs with 100% among first-time testers (e.g., ATA College entries, Arizona College Fort Lauderdale). Use these as templates for reading your own state’s file when chasing “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate.”
How NGN and State Data Rank Nursing Schools by NCLEX Pass Rates
The Next Gen NCLEX (NGN) changed how clinical judgment is measured, adding case-based questions and partial-credit scoring. After NGN launched in April 2023, national first-time RN pass rates climbed versus 2022. This impacts how you read school results. If you’re comparing a 2022 annual report to a 2024 report to answer “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate,” you’re mixing two different testing eras; expect the newer year to look stronger—nationwide. Use NGN-era results as your main yardstick.
Next, zero in on state reports. Your board’s spreadsheets list program names, number tested, and number passed. The fastest way to find “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” is to sort by first-time percentage, then scan cohort sizes. Flag programs above both the state and national averages. Some states (e.g., North Carolina) also tie program approval to maintaining a pass rate relative to national benchmarks, which pressures underperformers to improve. You benefit from that transparency because you can see, in black and white, who’s leading today.
Choosing the Right Program Beyond the “Highest” NCLEX Pass Rate
Once you’ve found contenders for what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate, the real question is which one fits you. Look past the percentage—consider timeline, clinical access, test-prep support, costs, and work–life balance.
Admissions and timeline
If you need a faster path (e.g., ABSN), verify whether the accelerated track’s pass rate matches the school’s traditional BSN. “What nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate?” For you might be the one with the calendar that gets you licensed sooner—and safely.
Clinical placements
Ask how clinical sites are assigned and whether high-acuity rotations are guaranteed. Robust clinical exposure aligns with better readiness, strengthening a program’s claim to “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate.”
Test-prep ecosystem
Does the program embed NGN-style cases, offer dedicated review weeks, and track predictive testing? These supports help sustain the “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” status.
Bottom Line
The honest answer to “what nursing school has the highest nclex pass rate” is that there are many, and the names change every quarter and year. Thanks to NGN and stronger national performance, more programs are at the top than before. Use the method here: check NCSBN for national baselines, open your state’s latest program report, filter for first-time results and meaningful cohorts, and reward multi-year consistency. Then pick the program that not only tops the list for “highest NCLEX pass rate,” but also matches your timeline, learning style, and budget. That’s how you convert a fluctuating leaderboard into a confident, career-starting choice.
FAQ’s
Is there a single U.S. “#1” school for the NCLEX pass rate each year?
No. State boards publish results within their jurisdictions, and many schools post 100% in a given quarter or year, often with small cohorts. Always verify the most recent file for your state and compare cohort sizes.
What counts as a “good” first-time pass rate in the NGN era?
Use the national first-time RN average for the year as your floor. In 2024, U.S. first-time RN pass rates remained high; programs significantly above that baseline, with sizable cohort,s are strong picks.
Where do I find official school-by-school pass rates?
Your state board of nursing’s education or pass rates page. Download the most recent quarterly and annual PDFs or dashboards and sort by percentage.
Why do some states look worse than others?
State averages vary due to program mix, oversight rules, and candidate demographics. In 2024, for example, Florida’s overall RN pass rate trailed the national average, even though certain programs achieved perfect terms.
Did NGN make the test easier?
No. NCLEX is criterion-referenced—there’s no fixed pass quota. The NGN format assesses clinical judgment differently and uses partial credit; higher pass rates post-NGN reflect multiple factors, not a preset curve