The Best Associate Degree in Nursing (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
We compiled the first-time NCLEX passing for more than 1,049 RN-ADN programs across the United States for as many as 7 years running. We then complied our results and ranked the top 907 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.
Find the ADN program(s) that will best prepare you for your RN licensing exam and beyond.
|
Rank
|
University
|
Based In
|
NCLEX Grade
|
Reporting Years
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo, CA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 1 | Danville Community College | Danville, VA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 1 | College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 100.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 1 | Helena College University of Montana | Helena, MT | 100.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 1 | Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA | 100.00 | 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 1 | Reedley College | Reedley, CA | 100.00 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 1 | Coahoma Community College | Clarksdale, MS | 100.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 2 | Cayuga County Community College | Auburn, NY | 99.26 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 3 | Chabot College | Hayward, CA | 99.22 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 4 | Mississippi University for Women | Columbus, MS | 99.19 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 5 | Louisiana Tech University | Ruston, LA | 99.10 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 6 | Lane Community College | Eugene, OR | 99.06 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 7 | Jefferson Community College | Watertown, NY | 99.02 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 8 | Southeastern Illinois College | Harrisburg, IL | 99.00 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 9 | Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA | 98.95 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 10 | Laredo Community College | Laredo, TX | 98.90 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 11 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford, FL | 98.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 11 | Pikes Peak Community College | Colorado Springs, CO | 98.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 12 | Coastal Alabama Community College (James H Faulkner State) | Bay Minette, AL | 98.79 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 13 | Washington State Community College | Marietta, OH | 98.72 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 |
| 14 | East Central College | Union, MO | 98.59 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 15 | Great Basin College | Elko, NV | 98.57 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 16 | Holmes Community College | Goodman, MS | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 16 | Eastern Kentucky University | Richmond, KY | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 16 | University of Pikeville | Pikeville, KY | 98.52 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 17 | Jackson State Community College | Jackson, TN | 98.44 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 18 | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | Perkinston, MS | 98.41 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 19 | Rowan College at Gloucester County | Sewell, NJ | 98.40 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 20 | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga, TN | 98.37 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 21 | Cape Fear Community College | Wilmington, NC | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 21 | Worcester State University | Worcester, MA | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 21 | Wiregrass Georgia Technical College | Valdosta, GA | 98.33 | 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 21 | San Juan College | Farmington, NM | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 21 | Robeson Community College | Lumberton, NC | 98.33 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 22 | Pierce College at Puyallup | Puyallup, WA | 98.26 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 23 | Chattahoochee Technical College | Marietta, GA | 98.20 | 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 24 | Northwest Mississippi Community College | Senatobia, MS | 98.17 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 24 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | 98.17 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 25 | Lakes Region Community College | Laconia, NH | 98.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 25 | Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake, WA | 98.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 26 | Sierra College | Rocklin, CA | 98.08 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 27 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton, FL | 98.01 | 2010, 2011, 2017, 2018 |
| 28 | Nashville State Community College | Nashville, TN | 98.00 | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 29 | Rogue Community College | Grants Pass, OR | 97.92 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 30 | Clinton Community College | Plattsburgh, NY | 97.81 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 31 | Monterey Peninsula College | Monterey, CA | 97.78 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 32 | Los Angeles Harbor College | Wilmington, CA | 97.73 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 33 | Johnston Community College | Smithfield, NC | 97.70 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 34 | North Iowa Area Community College | Mason City, IA | 97.64 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 35 | College of the Albemarle | Elizabeth City, NC | 97.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 35 | Howard College | Big Spring, TX | 97.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 36 | Southside Virginia Community College | Alberta, VA | 97.62 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 37 | Southwest Mississippi Community College | Summit, MS | 97.51 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 37 | Chemeketa Community College | Salem, OR | 97.51 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 38 | Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee, FL | 97.38 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 39 | Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs, CO | 97.34 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 40 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | Booneville, MS | 97.31 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 40 | John Tyler Community College | Chester, VA | 97.31 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 41 | Mitchell Community College | Statesville, NC | 97.26 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 42 | Arkansas Northeastern College | Blytheville, AR | 97.24 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 43 | Clackamas Community College | Oregon City, OR | 97.15 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 44 | Bismarck State College | Bismarck, ND | 97.10 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 44 | State Fair Community College | Sedalia, MO | 97.10 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 45 | Hartnell College | Salinas, CA | 97.06 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 46 | Wake Technical Community College | Raleigh, NC | 97.04 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 47 | NHTI-Concord's Community College | Concord, NH | 96.99 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 48 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA | 96.92 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 49 | Central Oregon Community College | Bend, OR | 96.91 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 50 | Brunswick Community College | Bolivia, NC | 96.85 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 51 | Valencia College | Orlando, FL | 96.82 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 52 | Western Piedmont Community College | Morganton, NC | 96.81 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 53 | Itawamba Community College | Fulton, MS | 96.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 54 | Gaston College | Dallas, NC | 96.74 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 55 | Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College | Orangeburg, SC | 96.66 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 56 | North Dakota State College of Science | Wahpeton, ND | 96.63 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 57 | Blackhawk Technical College | Janesville, WI | 96.54 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 58 | Gordon State College | Barnesville, GA | 96.51 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 59 | Peninsula College | Port Angeles, WA | 96.49 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 60 | Cecil College | North East, MD | 96.45 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 61 | Greenville Technical College | Greenville, SC | 96.40 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 62 | Simmons College | Boston, MA | 96.33 | 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 63 | Manchester Community College | Manchester, NH | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 63 | Central Carolina Technical College | Sumter, SC | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 63 | Fox Valley Technical College | Appleton, WI | 96.30 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 63 | Clatsop Community College | Astoria, OR | 96.30 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 63 | Gwinnett Technical College | Lawrenceville, GA | 96.30 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 64 | Mississippi Delta Community College | Moorhead, MS | 96.24 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 65 | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Milwaukee, WI | 96.22 | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 66 | Mountain View College | Dallas, TX | 96.14 | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 67 | Hopkinsville Community College | Hopkinsville, KY | 96.04 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| 67 | Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena, AR | 96.04 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 68 | Chaffey College | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 96.00 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 69 | Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 95.97 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 69 | Albany Technical College | Albany, GA | 95.97 | 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 |
| 70 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA | 95.94 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 71 | NorthWest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville, AR | 95.93 | 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 71 | John A Logan College | Carterville, IL | 95.93 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 72 | North Central Missouri College | Trenton, MO | 95.91 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 73 | Rappahannock Community College | Glenns, VA | 95.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
| 73 | Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 95.80 | 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 |
ADN Program Rankings by State
View all RN-ADN Degree Program rankings by state using the map below.
- Total RN-ADN Programs: 1,049
- Ranked RN-ADN Programs: 907
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.