Top 100 ADN Programs
One of the best measures of a nursing program's ability to prepare its students to become a practicing nurse is to look at an institutions first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate. We went directly to each state board of nursing to find, report and rank the the best
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs in the country.
Find the ADN program(s) that will best prepare you for your RN licensing exam and beyond.
Recommended RN to BSN Programs
Online Nursing Schools with CCNE or ACEN Accreditation
- Online RN to BSN – Prudue Global's highly regarded online nursing program is CCNE accredited.
- Accelerated Online RN to BSN Program – Colorado Technical University is CCNE accredited and you can earn your BSN in a 9 month, $12,500 Online program.
- 19 Month RN to BSN Completion – Indiana Wesleyan University online
We compiled the first-time NCLEX passing for more than 1,004 RN-ADN programs across the United States for as many as 7 years running. We then complied our results and ranked the top 985 RN-ADN programs across the country. You will find the top 100 in the list below. Research the best RN-ADN nursing schools state-by-state.
|
Rank |
University |
Based In |
NCLEX Grade |
Reporting Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeast Community College | Lincoln, NE | 87.62 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 2 | College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 3 | Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 4 | Danville Community College | Danville, VA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 5 | Helena College University of Montana | Helena, MT | 100.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 6 | Stanbridge College | Irvine, CA | 100.00 | 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 7 | Reedley College | Reedley, CA | 100.00 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 8 | Coahoma Community College | Clarksdale, MS | 100.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 9 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | 99.22 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 10 | Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | 99.19 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 11 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | 99.10 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 12 | Lane Community College | Eugene, OR | 99.06 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 13 | Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 99.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 14 | Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA | 98.95 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 15 | Laredo Community College | Laredo, TX | 98.90 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 16 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | 98.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 17 | Pikes Peak Community College | Colorado Springs, CO | 98.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 18 | Coastal Alabama Community College (James H Faulkner State) | Bay Minette, AL | 98.79 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 19 | Washington State Community College | Marietta, OH | 98.72 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 |
| 20 | Great Basin College | Elko, NV | 98.57 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 21 | Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 22 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 23 | University of Pikeville | Pikeville, KY | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 24 | Jackson State Community College | Jackson, TN | 98.44 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 25 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | 98.41 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 26 | Rowan College at Gloucester County | Sewell, NJ | 98.40 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 27 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 98.37 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 28 | Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 29 | San Juan College | Farmington, NM | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 30 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta, GA | 98.33 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 31 | Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 32 | Pierce College at Puyallup | Puyallup, WA | 98.26 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 33 | Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta, GA | 98.20 | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 34 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | 98.17 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 35 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 98.17 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 36 | Lakes Region Community College | Laconia, NH | 98.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 37 | Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 98.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 38 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 98.08 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 39 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton, FL | 98.01 | 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018 |
| 40 | Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 98.00 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 41 | Rogue Community College | Grants Pass, OR | 97.92 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 42 | Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 97.78 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 43 | Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA | 97.73 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 44 | Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 97.70 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 45 | North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 97.64 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 46 | Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 97.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 47 | College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | 97.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 48 | Southside Virginia Community College | Alberta, VA | 97.62 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 49 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | Summit, MS | 97.51 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 50 | Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR | 97.51 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 51 | Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee, FL | 97.38 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 52 | Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs, CO | 97.34 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 53 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | 97.31 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 54 | John Tyler Community College | Chester, VA | 97.31 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 55 | Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | 97.26 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 56 | Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville, AR | 97.24 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 57 | Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 97.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 58 | Bismarck State College | Bismarck, ND | 97.10 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 59 | Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 97.06 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 60 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 97.04 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 61 | NHTI-Concord's Community College | Concord, NH | 96.99 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 62 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA | 96.92 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 63 | Central Oregon Community College | Bend, OR | 96.91 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 64 | Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | 96.85 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 65 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | 96.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 66 | Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 96.81 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 67 | Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 96.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 68 | Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 96.74 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 69 | Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 96.66 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 70 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND | 96.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 71 | Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 96.54 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 72 | Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 96.51 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 73 | Peninsula College | Port Angeles, WA | 96.49 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 74 | Cecil College | North East, MD | 96.45 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 75 | Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | 96.40 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 76 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA | 96.30 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 77 | Manchester Community College | Manchester, NH | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 78 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 79 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 96.30 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 80 | Clatsop Community College | Astoria, OR | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 81 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | 96.24 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 82 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 96.22 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 83 | Mountain View College | Dallas, TX | 96.14 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 84 | Hopkinsville Community College | Hopkinsville, KY | 96.04 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 85 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena, AR | 96.04 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 86 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 96.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 87 | Albany Technical College | Albany, GA | 95.97 | 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
| 88 | Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 95.97 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 89 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 95.94 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 90 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville, AR | 95.93 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 91 | John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 95.93 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 92 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | 95.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 93 | Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 95.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 94 | Hazard Community and Technical College | Hazard, KY | 95.78 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 95 | Northwest State Community College | Archbold, OH | 95.75 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 |
| 96 | Denver School of Nursing | Denver, CO | 95.73 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 97 | Blinn College | Brenham, TX | 95.71 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 98 | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville, FL | 95.69 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 99 | Moorpark College | Moorpark, CA | 95.66 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 100 | Louisiana Delta Community College | Monroe, LA | 95.65 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
ADN Program Rankings by State
View all RN-ADN Degree Program rankings by state using the map below.
- Total RN-ADN Programs: 1,004
- Ranked RN-ADN Programs: 985
List of Best RN-ADN Nursing Schools
View the top 100 BSN programs In the United States.
For information about how we rank ADN programs, please see our ranking methodology.