NCLEX pass rates can be a helpful data point when comparing nursing programs, but they should not be the only factor students and families consider.
The NCLEX is the licensing exam nursing graduates must pass to become registered nurses. A program's pass rate may offer insight into how well graduates are prepared for the exam, but the number needs context.
The NCLEX, officially the National Council Licensure Examination, is the exam used by state boards of nursing to determine whether a nursing graduate is ready to begin practice as an entry-level nurse.
Students who complete a registered nursing program typically need to pass the NCLEX-RN before they can become licensed as registered nurses.
Learn more at nclex.com.
For families comparing nursing programs, NCLEX pass rates can provide one view into graduate outcomes. But they do not tell the full story of the student experience, the difficulty of the program, or the likelihood that an individual student will succeed.
An NCLEX pass rate generally shows the percentage of graduates from a nursing program who passed the exam during a specific reporting period.
Pass rates may vary by:
Because reporting methods can vary, families should check what the number actually represents before comparing schools.
NCLEX pass rates can be useful because they may help families understand whether graduates are successfully passing the licensing exam.
A consistently strong pass rate may suggest that students who complete the program are generally prepared for the exam. A lower or declining pass rate may be worth a closer look, especially if it continues across multiple years.
However, pass rates should be interpreted carefully. They are usually based only on students who reached graduation and took the exam. They may not show how many students started in nursing but did not complete the program.
A high NCLEX pass rate does not automatically mean a program is the best fit for every student. A lower pass rate does not automatically mean a program should be avoided.
A very small graduating class can make a pass rate swing dramatically. If only a few students take the exam, one or two outcomes can change the percentage.
Programs that admit highly prepared students may have strong pass rates partly because of the academic profile of the students entering the program.
Some programs have strict requirements to remain in nursing. A high pass rate may reflect strong preparation, but it may also reflect that only students who met demanding standards reached graduation.
Academic advising, tutoring, remediation, simulation labs, faculty access, and NCLEX preparation can all influence student success.
States and schools may present pass rates differently. Some report first-time pass rates only. Some report by campus. Some combine or separate program tracks.
The number matters, but the context matters too.
When reviewing NCLEX outcomes, families may see references to first-time pass rates or overall pass rates.
Usually refers to the percentage of students who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt during a reporting period. This is the number most commonly used for program reporting and state comparison.
May include students who passed after more than one attempt, depending on how the source reports the data. This number can appear higher than the first-time rate.
Families should pay attention to the definition used by each source when comparing schools.
One year of NCLEX data can be useful, but trends are often more meaningful.
A program with several years of steady pass rates may give families a better sense of consistency. A single unusually high or low year may be less informative, especially for smaller programs.
When possible, families should look at multiple years of results and compare them with the state average for the same period.
Questions to ask about trends
NCLEX pass rates are one outcome measure, but they should be viewed alongside other information.
These details can help families understand the broader student journey, not just the final exam outcome.
Direct admit nursing and NCLEX pass rates measure different things.
Direct admit describes how a student enters the nursing pathway. NCLEX pass rates describe how graduates perform on the licensing exam.
A direct admit program is not automatically stronger because it is direct admit. A non-direct admit program is not automatically weaker because students apply later. Families should compare the admission path, progression requirements, academic support, cost, fit, and outcomes together.
The better question is not just:
“What is the NCLEX pass rate?”
A better question is:
“What does the full path from admission to graduation to licensure look like for students in this program?”
Questions to ask
NCLEX pass rate information is often published by state boards of nursing, state education agencies, or nursing program approval bodies. Some schools also publish their own pass rates on program pages, fact sheets, or accreditation pages.
When possible, families should look for official state or school sources and pay attention to the reporting period, program type, campus, and number of test takers.
If numbers differ between sources, families should ask the school to clarify which number is current and how it was calculated.
Pass rate data for individual programs is available on each school's profile page where reported.
A balanced reminder
NCLEX pass rates can be helpful, but they should not be treated like a ranking by themselves.
A strong pass rate may be encouraging, but it does not guarantee that a specific student will pass the exam. A lower pass rate may deserve additional questions, but it does not automatically tell the full story.
Students and families should use NCLEX pass rates as one piece of a broader comparison that includes admission model, progression requirements, student support, cost, clinical experience, accreditation, and personal fit.
Use Direct Admit Nursing to review program information, compare schools, and build a more informed nursing college list.