American States With the Best NCLEX Pass Rates
Having a high NCLEX pass rate indicates the quality of education at nursing schools. This guide lets you compare states with the top NCLEX results. To become a nurse in the United States, you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). This guide lists the states with the highest NCLEX pass rates for first-time test-takers, averaged over the last five years. Compare NCLEX pass rates by state to see where nurses are well-prepared for their careers.
What is the NCLEX Exam?
The NCLEX is a standardized test that measures if nursing school graduates are prepared and have the critical thinking skills needed for entry-level nursing. Candidates take the NCLEX-PN to become licensed practical nurses or the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses (RNs) for state licensure. Both exams cover nursing knowledge and practice readiness in four areas: safe and effective care environment, health promotion and maintenance, psychosocial integrity, and physiological integrity.
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The NCLEX pass rate was 79.9% in 2022, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). However, this guide reports that some states have much higher first-time NCLEX pass rates.
Top 5 States With the Highest NCLEX Pass Rates Over Five Years
The following section highlights the five states with the top pass rates, along with factors contributing to their high ranking over the past five years.
1. New Hampshire
NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2021): 94.58%
RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 92.8%
RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 93.8%
Total Number of Candidates (2021): 767
New Hampshire has the highest average NCLEX pass rate in the U.S., over 14% higher than the national average. In 2022, five of the state’s eight bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs had pass rates above 90%, with Plymouth State University achieving a 100% pass rate. Additionally, the state’s nine RN associate nursing programs reported pass rates above the national average, ranging from 80% to 94.87%.
New Hampshire employed 12,890 registered nurses in May 2021, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), providing over 20 nurses per 1,000 residents. The favorable job outlook for nurses in New Hampshire supports the high NCLEX pass rate, encouraging nursing graduates to quickly enter the field.
While New Hampshire has met the demand for nurses, the U.S. Department of Labor projects the addition of over 880 RN positions between 2020 and 2030, an 8.8% increase. The state also expects a 58.7% employment increase for RNs with advanced practice training as nurse practitioners, creating 640 positions by 2030.
The average annual RN salary in New Hampshire is $78,270, ranking 18th nationally.
2. Louisiana
NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2021): 92.74%
RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 86.8%
RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 90.4%
Total Number of Candidates (2021): 2,412
Despite facing the highest nursing shortage in the U.S., Louisiana ranks second in first-time NCLEX pass rates. The state offers high-quality nursing education options. Louisiana Technical University maintains a six-year average NCLEX pass rate of over 97%. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has achieved over 95% pass rates for the past 38 years.
Louisiana’s nursing shortage has intensified due to the COVID-19 crisis. To address this, the Louisiana State Board of Nursing introduced initiatives to expedite nurses’ entry into the workforce, contributing to the high pass rate according to its 2021 annual report. The state foresees the addition of over 2,270 RN positions annually through 2030.
Despite an average annual RN salary of $70,380 in Louisiana, ranking below the national average, promising job prospects and a low cost of living balance out the lower earnings. Pursuing advanced nursing credentials as nurse practitioners can increase salaries by over $42,000 a year for Louisiana’s RNs.
3. North Dakota
NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2021): 92.36%
RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 84.4%
RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 91.5%
Total Number of Candidates (2021): 650
The University of Mary and Rasmussen University reported 100% pass rates for BSN graduates in 2020-21, contributing to North Dakota’s success. The state’s BSN programs collectively achieved a 91.5% pass rate.
North Dakota expects a 13.9% growth in RN employment by 2030, creating 700 RN positions annually. Responding to nursing shortages heightened by the pandemic, the North Dakota Center for Nursing established the Nurse Staffing Clearinghouse to connect nursing students with employers. The high pass rates and increasing demand for RNs reflect state efforts to enhance career prospects for nursing graduates.
North Dakota’s average annual RN salary of $71,200 ranks in the lower third nationally. However, recent initiatives to expand job opportunities, coupled with the state’s low tax rate and affordable cost of living, provide a positive career outlook for nurses.
4. Nevada
NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2021): 91.36%
RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 87.5%
RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 88.3%
Total Number of Candidates (2021): 1,488
Nevada’s average NCLEX pass rate of 91.36% reflects ongoing efforts to improve nursing program quality. In 2022, Great Basin College achieved a 100% first-time pass rate, and the University of Nevada at Reno achieved a 94.56% pass rate.
The Nevada State Board of Nursing has introduced initiatives, including a nurse apprenticeship program, to address nursing shortages. According to a 2022 study by the Nevada Health Workforce Research Center, the state requires over 4,000 new RNs to meet the national RN-to-population average. Additionally, two out of three residents live in areas with primary care provider shortages. The U.S. Department of Labor projects a 23.3% growth in RN positions in Nevada between 2020 and 2030.
Nevada’s current job market translates into higher salaries for nurses. The mean annual RN salary is $88,800, ranking 10th nationally. RNs with nurse practitioner credentials earn significantly more, averaging $123,680 annually.
5. North Carolina
NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2017-2021): 91.12%
RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 87.1%
RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2021): 87.1%
Total Number of Candidates (2021): 4,645
Several of North Carolina’s nursing schools report pass rates in the 90th percentile. Western Carolina University’s BSN program maintains a 99% three-year average pass rate, while East Carolina University achieves 97% and Wingate University achieves 96%.
Despite an 11.5% projected increase in RN positions between 2020 and 2030, North Carolina faces a significant nursing shortage of over 10,000 positions. Nursing salaries in the state remain below the national average. The mean annual RN salary of $71,200 ranks 35th nationally. The state’s nursing shortage is exacerbated by a declining number of qualified nursing faculty, limiting student enrollment.
To address the shortfall, the state’s Education Assistance Authority established the Nurse Education Scholarship Loan Program (NESLP). This program provides forgivable loans to North Carolina residents who commit to working as full-time nurses in the state.
The University of North Carolina’s School of Nursing is also taking steps to address the nursing shortage by increasing enrollment, offering accelerated doctoral programs for new nursing faculty, and collaborating with healthcare employers.
Why I Started Preparing for the NCLEX 6 Months in Advance
Complete List of Average NCLEX Pass Rates by State
This table offers a five-year average of NCLEX pass rates and RN salary information. Pass rates serve as a useful benchmark for educational quality and nursing preparedness. Accreditation agencies and regulatory bodies use pass rates to measure performance. Keep in mind that pass rates vary not only by state but also by nursing programs within a state. Several factors contribute to salary differences among states, including demand projections, cost of living variations, and employment settings.
| State (including Washington D.C.) | NCLEX Pass Rate Five-Year Average (2017-2021) | Average Salary (2022) |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 94.58% | $78,270 |
| Louisiana | 92.74% | $70,380 |
| North Dakota | 92.36% | $71,200 |
| Nevada | 91.36% | $88,800 |
| North Carolina | 91.12% | $71,200 |
| Pennsylvania | 91.04% | $76,000 |
| Nebraska | 91% | $69,850 |
| Tennessee | 90.84% | $66,680 |
| Connecticut | 90.76% | $88,530 |
| Colorado | 90.74% | $80,670 |
| Arizona | 90.36% | $81,600 |
| South Carolina | 90.3% | $69,580 |
| Texas | 90.28% | $79,120 |
| California | 90.26% | $124,000 |
| West Virginia | 90.2% | $67,640 |
| District of Columbia | 90.16% | $98,540 |
| South Dakota | 90.1% | $60,540 |
| Oregon | 90.04% | $98,630 |
| Delaware | 89.94% | $77,760 |
| Idaho | 89.64% | $73,640 |
| Washington | 89.62% | $95,350 |
| Alaska | 89.44% | $97,230 |
| Missouri | 89.44% | $67,790 |
| Georgia | 89.14% | $75,380 |
| Kentucky | 88.9% | $67,260 |
| Maine | 88.66% | $73,630 |
| Massachusetts | 88.62% | $96,630 |
| Alabama | 88.42% | $61,920 |
| Wisconsin | 88.22% | $76,850 |
| Hawaii | 88.18% | $106,530 |
| Virginia | 88.02% | $76,680 |
| Rhode Island | 87.96% | $85,270 |
| Indiana | 87.7% | $68,890 |
| New Jersey | 87.58% | $89,690 |
| Michigan | 87.36% | $75,930 |
| Mississippi | 87.28% | $63,130 |
| Montana | 87.18% | $73,610 |
| Maryland | 87.12% | $82,660 |
| Oklahoma | 86.66% | $68,180 |
| Vermont | 86.5% | $75,160 |
| Wyoming | 86.5% | $73,130 |
| Illinois | 86.36% | $78,260 |
| Kansas | 86.04% | $66,560 |
| Iowa | 85.76% | $64,990 |
| Arkansas | 85.26% | $65,810 |
| Utah | 84.76% | $72,790 |
| Ohio | 84.32% | $71,640 |
| Minnesota | 84.16% | $84,030 |
| New Mexico | 84.04% | $77,590 |
| New York | 83.74% | $93,320 |
| Florida | 70.44% | $72,000 |
Sources
Annual report. (2023). North Dakota State Board of Nursing
Annual reports. (n.d.). Louisiana State Board of Nursing
College of applied and natural sciences. (2023). Louisiana Tech University
Education NC. (2022). N.C. nursing shortage likely to increase, report shows. Can community colleges help? NC Health News
Long-term occupational projections (2020-2030): Louisiana. (2021). State of Utah Division of Technology Services
Long-term occupational projections (2020-2030): New Hampshire. (2021). State of Utah Division of Technology Services
Long-term occupational projections (2020-2030): North Carolina. (2021). State of Utah Division of Technology Services
Long-term occupational projections (2020-2030): North Dakota. (2021). State of Utah Division of Technology Services
Lynn M. (2022). North Carolina’s: A looming crisis. Carolina Nursing
NCLEX pass rates. (2023). National Council of State Boards of Nursing
Nevada nursing news and events. (2018-2023). Nevada Nurses Association
News, publications, and statistics. (2023). North Carolina Board of Nursing
Rankings & recognition. (2023). University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Report 4 — Jurisdiction program summary of all first-time candidates licensed in all jurisdictions. (2023). Nevada Board of Nursing
State Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. (2022). U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
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