Share On
In 2022, Pennsylvania’s NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was 84.37% and the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was 84.41%.
In this article, we break down Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates to understand how the state performed against the national average, and how individual nursing programs did.
Now, let’s delve into the numbers, shall we?
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Statewide Statistics
2022 NCLEX-RN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 8,168 | 84.37% | 87.8% | 91.7% |
| National | 188,005 | 79.90% | 82.5% | 86.6% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Pennsylvania recorded an 84.37% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.90% National Average.
- In 2021, Pennsylvania recorded an 87.8% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 82.5% National Average.
- In 2020, Pennsylvania recorded a 91.7% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 86.6% National Average.
- Pennsylvania NCLEX-RN Pass Rate has been steadily declining from 2020 through 2022.
- Pennsylvania NCLEX-RN Pass Rate has been well above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
2022 NCLEX-PN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 1,845 | 81.41% | 82.1% | 85.6% |
| National | 47,635 | 79.93% | 79.6% | 83.1% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Pennsylvania recorded an 81.41% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.93% National Average.
- In 2021, Pennsylvania recorded an 82.1% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.6% National Average.
- In 2020, Pennsylvania recorded an 85.6% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 83.1% National Average.
- Pennsylvania NCLEX-PN Pass Rate has been steadily declining from 2020 through 2022.
- Pennsylvania NCLEX-PN Pass Rate has been above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Pennsylvania Direct Entry MSN Programs
Here is the best direct entry MSN program in Pennsylvania, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | Direct Entry MSN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Roche University Entry Level MSN (ELMSN) | 46 | 86.96% | 86.96%¹ |
Key Takeaways:
- As of 2022, La Roche University seems to be the only one of two state-approved entry-level master’s nursing programs in Pennsylvania, that had NCLEX-RN candidates.
- The other approved program is Gwynedd Mercy University’s Direct Entry MSN. However, Pennsylvania State BON records do not show any GMercyU candidates sitting for the NCLEX-RN.
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Pennsylvania BSN Programs
Here are the best BSN programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | BSN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Messiah University BSN | 36 | 100.00% | 99.34% |
| 2 | Carlow University BSN | 97 | 92.78% | 95.75% |
| 3 | PA College of Health Sciences BSN | 32 | 93.75% | 95.42% |
| 4 | PA College of Technology BSN | 37 | 91.89% | 95.40% |
| 5 | Cedar Crest College BSN | 49 | 93.88% | 95.24% |
| 6 | West Chester University BSN | 85 | 92.94% | 95.20% |
| 7 | St. Francis University of PA BSN | 35 | 88.57% | 94.96% |
| 8 | Eastern University BSN | 39 | 92.31% | 94.33% |
| 9 | Bloomsburg University BSN | 91 | 93.41% | 94.18% |
| 10 | Duquesne University BSN | 226 | 95.58% | 94.10% |
| 11 | Edinboro University BSN | 56 | 94.64% | 94.03% |
| 12 | Villanova University BSN | 168 | 88.69% | 93.85% |
| 13 | University of Pennsylvania BSN | 192 | 89.06% | 93.58% |
| 14 | Drexel University BSN | 422 | 87.20% | 93.44% |
| 15 | York College of PA BSN | 123 | 93.50% | 93.27% |
| 16 | Neumann University BSN | 57 | 98.25% | 93.00% |
| 17 | Mount Aloysius College BSN | 13 | 92.31% | 92.31%¹ |
| 18 | DeSales University BSN | 80 | 87.50% | 92.27% |
| 19 | Pennsylvania State University BSN | 396 | 87.12% | 92.24% |
| 20 | LaSalle University BSN | 107 | 91.59% | 92.10% |
| 21 | The University of Scranton BSN | 73 | 86.30% | 91.49% |
| 22 | Immaculata University BSN | 42 | 90.48% | 91.38% |
| 23 | University of Pittsburgh BSN | 303 | 87.46% | 90.99% |
| 24 | Mansfield University of Pennsylvania BSN | 34 | 88.24% | 90.70% |
| 25 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania BSN | 142 | 87.32% | 90.32% |
| 26 | Gannon University BSN | 46 | 84.78% | 89.34% |
| 27 | Marywood University BSN | 40 | 90.00% | 89.27% |
| 28 | Wilkes University BSN | 116 | 84.48% | 89.22% |
| 29 | Holy Family University BSN | 309 | 83.17% | 88.14% |
| 30 | Moravian University BSN | 74 | 81.08% | 87.66% |
| 31 | Jefferson College of Nursing BSN | 451 | 79.60% | 87.49% |
| 32 | Robert Morris University BSN | 71 | 84.51% | 87.23% |
| 33 | Waynesburg University BSN | 62 | 80.65% | 86.73% |
| 34 | Misercordia University BSN | 92 | 80.43% | 86.68% |
| 35 | Alvernia University BSN | 44 | 72.73% | 86.20% |
| 36 | Gwynedd-Mercy College BSN | 289 | 77.51% | 83.21% |
| 37 | Temple University BSN | 92 | 71.74% | 83.17% |
| 38 | Widener University BSN | 177 | 79.10% | 83.13% |
| 39 | PennWest Clarion BSN | 56 | 69.64% | 82.06% |
| 40 | Wilson College BSN | 63 | 84.48% | 80.36% |
| 41 | East Stroudsburg University BSN | 37 | 75.68% | 80.20% |
| 42 | Lincoln University of Pennsylvania BSN | 7 | 71.43% | 64.38% |
Key Takeaways:
- Messiah University has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among BSN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 99.34%.
- Messiah University has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among BSN Programs, at 100%.
- Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among BSN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 64.38%.
- PennWest Clarion has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among BSN Programs, at 69.64%.
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Pennsylvania ADN Programs
Here are the best ADN Programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | ADN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rates (2022) | Average Pass Rates (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania College of Technology ADN | 43 | 90.70% | 97.14% |
| 2 | Harcum College ADN | 23 | 91.30% | 95.19% |
| 3 | Luzerne County Community College ADN | 78 | 93.59% | 94.54% |
| 4 | Montgomery County Community College ADN | 107 | 92.52% | 93.70% |
| 5 | PA College of Health Sciences ADN | 238 | 84.87% | 92.58% |
| 6 | Mount Aloysius College ADN | 54 | 83.33% | 92.26% |
| 7 | Bucks County Community College ADN | 59 | 89.83% | 91.68% |
| 8 | Community College of Allegheny County ADN | 309 | 85.44% | 91.12% |
| 9 | Reading Area Community College ADN | 32 | 93.75% | 88.14% |
| 10 | Harrisburg Area Community College ADN | 437 | 81.24% | 87.70% |
| 11 | Butler County Community College ADN | 64 | 81.25% | 87.64% |
| 12 | Northampton Community College ADN | 102 | 78.43% | 87.48% |
| 13 | Community College of Philadelphia ADN | 131 | 80.15% | 85.77% |
| 14 | Community College of Beaver County ADN | 77 | 79.22% | 85.36% |
| 15 | Lackawanna College ADN | 19 | 84.21% | 84.21%¹ |
| 16 | Lock Haven University ADN | 49 | 75.51% | 83.34% |
| 17 | Lehigh-Carbon Community College ADN | 126 | 79.37% | 83.10% |
| 18 | Delaware County Community College ADN | 160 | 77.50% | 82.56% |
| 19 | Pittsburgh Technical College ADN | 41 | 92.68% | 81.71% |
| 20 | PennWest Clarion ADN | 73 | 64.38% | 80.32% |
| 21 | Westmoreland Co Community College ADN | 84 | 70.24% | 80.01% |
| 22 | Mercyhurst University ADN | 64 | 79.69% | 79.56% |
| 23 | University of Pittsburgh at Bradford ADN | 32 | 75.00% | 78.97% |
Key Takeaways:
- Pennsylvania College of Technology has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among ADN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 97.14%.
- Reading Area Community College has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among ADN Programs, at 93.75%.
- University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among ADN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 78.97%.
- PennWest Clarion has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among ADN Programs, at 64.38%.
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Pennsylvania Diploma Nursing Programs
Here are the best Diploma Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | Nursing Diploma Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rates (2022) | Average Pass Rates (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington Health System School of Nursing DPL | 18 | 100.00% | 97.54% |
| 2 | Conemaugh School of Nursing Hospital DPL | 29 | 96.55% | 94.86% |
| 3 | Geisinger-Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing DPL | N/A | N/A | 93.46%¹ |
| 4 | Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing DPL | 19 | 73.68% | 92.28% |
| 5 | Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences DPL | 67 | 95.52% | 92.28% |
| 6 | St Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing DPL | 111 | 89.19% | 92.24% |
| 7 | Roxborough Memorial Hospital School of Nursing DPL | 62 | 87.10% | 91.46% |
| 8 | Citizens School of Nursing DPL | 60 | 86.67% | 89.90% |
| 9 | Sharon Regional Health System School of Nursing DPL | 20 | 95.00% | 86.82% |
| 10 | UPMC Shadyside Hospital School of Nursing DPL | 120 | 82.50% | 85.35% |
| 11 | UPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing DPL | 63 | 82.54% | 81.39% |
| 12 | UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing DPL | 47 | 78.72% | 81.23% |
| 13 | Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing DPL | 44 | 77.27% | 81.10% |
| 14 | Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing DPL | 23 | 60.87% | 73.13% |
| 15 | UPMC Jameson School of Nursing DPL | 70 | 47.14% | 72.18% |
Key Takeaways:
- Washington Health System School of Nursing has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among Diploma Nursing Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 97.54%.
- Washington Health System School of Nursing has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among Diploma Nursing Programs, at 100%.
- UPMC Jameson School of Nursing has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among Diploma Nursing Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 72.18%.
- UPMC Jameson School of Nursing has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among Diploma Nursing Programs, at 47.14%.
Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Pennsylvania LPN Programs
Here are the best LPN programs in Pennsylvania, ranked by Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | LPN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Career Institute | 39 | 100.00% | 99.19% |
| 2 | Bucks County Community College | 20 | 100.00% | 97.31% |
| 3 | Comm College of Beaver County | 6 | 100.00% | 97.22% |
| 4 | Mercer County Career Center | 3 | 100.00% | 95.91% |
| 5 | Venango Technology Center | 25 | 96.00% | 95.42% |
| 6 | Career Tech Center of Lackawanna County | 21 | 85.71% | 94.54% |
| 7 | Hazleton Area Career Center | 2 | 100.00% | 94.44%¹ |
| 8 | Fortis Institute – Scranton | 21 | 95.24% | 93.89% |
| 9 | PA College of Technology-credit | 19 | 89.47% | 93.73% |
| 10 | Harrisburg Area Comm College | 101 | 93.07% | 93.73% |
| 11 | Indiana County Technology Center | 23 | 100.00% | 93.69% |
| 12 | Schuylkill Technology Center-North Campus | 25 | 100.00% | 93.23% |
| 13 | Franklin County Career & Technology Center | 18 | 83.33% | 93.00% |
| 14 | Northampton Community College | 27 | 92.59% | 92.38% |
| 15 | Crawford County Career & Tech Center | 12 | 75.00% | 91.83% |
| 16 | Chester County Intermediate Unit | 48 | 91.67% | 91.19% |
| 17 | Northern Tier Career Center | 8 | 87.50% | 90.79% |
| 18 | Lehigh Carbon Community College | 24 | 79.17% | 90.19% |
| 19 | Clearfield County Career Technology Center | 5 | 100.00% | 90.14% |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Technical College | 36 | 80.56% | 90.08% |
| 21 | Lancaster County Career & Technology Center | 110 | 86.36% | 89.61% |
| 22 | Greene County Career Technology Center | 11 | 100.00% | 89.58% |
| 23 | Eastern Center for Arts & Tech | 58 | 91.38% | 88.61% |
| 24 | Greater Johnstown Career & Tech Center | 40 | 95.00% | 87.58% |
| 25 | Mercyhurst University | 8 | 87.50% | 86.69% |
| 26 | Lenape Technical School | 49 | 87.76% | 85.98% |
| 27 | Penn Commercial Business/Technical School | 36 | 72.22% | 85.24% |
| 28 | Wilkes Barre Area Career Technology Center | 52 | 84.62% | 84.60% |
| 29 | Lebanon County Career Technology Center | 46 | 89.13% | 84.41% |
| 30 | York Co School of Technology | 34 | 73.53% | 84.33% |
| 31 | Penn State Lehigh Valley | 56 | 82.14% | 84.08% |
| 32 | Somerset County Technology Center | 26 | 84.62% | 83.33% |
| 33 | Central Susquehanna LPN Career Center | 38 | 71.05% | 83.22% |
| 34 | Princeton Information Technology Center | 18 | 77.78% | 82.70% |
| 35 | Lincoln Technical Institute-Allentown | 83 | 84.34% | 81.53% |
| 36 | Delaware County Technical School | 54 | 77.78% | 80.89% |
| 37 | Jefferson Co-Dubois AVTS | 7 | 85.71% | 80.59% |
| 38 | Mifflin Co Academy of Science & Technology | 26 | 65.38% | 79.79% |
| 39 | The Rapha School | 7 | 85.71% | 79.34%² |
| 40 | Central PA Institute Science & Technology | 62 | 80.65% | 78.91% |
| 41 | Penn College at Wellsboro | 21 | 71.43% | 77.60% |
| 42 | Western Area Career & Tech Center | 11 | 81.82% | 77.26% |
| 43 | Reading Area Community College | 5 | 100.00% | 77.15% |
| 44 | Greater Altoona Career & Technology Center | 33 | 66.67% | 76.85% |
| 45 | Fayette County Career & Tech Institute | 47 | 76.60% | 74.67% |
| 46 | Prism Career Institute | 130 | 70.77% | 73.85% |
| 47 | Pennsylvania Institute of Technology | 111 | 58.26% | 73.64% |
| 48 | Falcon Institute of Health & Science | 77 | 70.13% | 71.91% |
| 49 | Great Lakes Institute of Technology | 29 | 72.41% | 68.40% |
| 50 | Health and Technology Training Institute | 17 | 88.24% | 68.04% |
| 51 | Fortis School of Nursing All State Career School | 26 | 73.08% | 66.54%³ |
| 52 | Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center | 7 | 28.57% | 65.93% |
| 53 | Lansdale School of Business | 22 | 77.27% | 63.64%³ |
²2019, 2021-2022 Average Pass Rate
³2021-2022 Average Pass Rate
Key Takeaways:
- United Career Institute has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among LPN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 99.19%.
- United Career Institute has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in Pennsylvania among LPN Programs, at 100%.
- Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among LPN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 65.93%.
- Susquehanna County Career & Technology Center has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Pennsylvania among LPN Programs, at 28.57%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
In Pennsylvania, there isn’t a limit on how many times you can take the NCLEX. You can apply to retake the NCLEX whenever you wish, as long as it’s atleast 45 days after the exam.
Based on the 2022 Pennsylvania NCLEX Pass Rates for BSN programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Messiah University, which recorded 100%.
For ADN Programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Pennsylvania College of Technology, which recorded 90.70%.
For Diploma Nursing Programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Washington Health System School of Nursing, which recorded 100%.
As of 2022, the pass rate for the NCLEX-RN exam in Pennsylvania was 84.37%, while the pass rate for the NCLEX-PN was 84.41%.
In 2022, Penn State NCLEX pass rate was 87.12%. Penn State’s average NCLEX pass rate in the last 4 years is 92.24%.
No. While NCLEX Pass Rates are a powerful determinant of program quality & rigor, you should consider them alongside other factors such as the program’s accreditation status, clinical experience opportunities, cost of attendance, location, etc.
Data Sources
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing (BON) NCLEX Exam Pass Rates of Prelicensure Programs
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2022 NCLEX Pass Rates Summary Data
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2021 report
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) 2020 report
Share On
Related Nursing Programs:
10 Best Nursing Schools in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Today (Ranked)
11 Best Accelerated Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania Today (ABSNs & MSN)
5 Best Accelerated Nursing Programs in Philadelphia
Related Nursing Resources:
10 Best NCLEX Prep Courses, According to Nurses
How to Know If You Passed the NCLEX Right Away: 7 Good Signs
12 Bad Signs You Failed the NCLEX
The 5 Absolute Best NCLEX Prep Books
Everything You Need to Know About The Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)
