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In 2022, Arizona’s NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was 84.79% and the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was 89.03%.
In this article, we break down Arizona 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?
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: Statewide Statistics
2022 NCLEX-RN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 4,586 | 84.79% | 87.37% | 91.44% |
| National | 188,005 | 79.9% | 82.5% | 86.6% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Arizona recorded an 84.79% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.9% National Average.
- In 2021, Arizona recorded an 87.37% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 82.5% National Average.
- In 2020, Arizona recorded a 91.44% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 86.6% National Average.
- Arizona NCLEX-RN Pass Rate steadily declined from 2020 through 2022.
- Arizona NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
2022 NCLEX-PN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 465 | 89.03% | 89.98% | 93.51% |
| National | 47,635 | 79.93% | 79.6% | 83.1% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Arizona recorded an 89.03% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.93% National Average.
- In 2021, Arizona recorded an 89.98% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.6% National Average.
- In 2020, Arizona recorded a 93.51% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 83.1% National Average.
- Arizona NCLEX-PN Pass Rate declined from 2020 through 2022.
- Arizona NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Arizona Direct Entry MSN Programs
Here are the best direct entry MSN programs in Arizona, 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 | University of Arizona MEPN | 110 | 92.73% | 93.17% |
| 2 | Arizona State University MEPN | 30 | 70% | 77.86%¹ |
Key Takeaways:
- As of 2022, there are only two approved direct entry MSN/entry-level masters programs in Arizona.
- University of Arizona has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among direct entry MSN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 93.17%.
- University of Arizona still has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among direct MSN Programs, at 92.73%.
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Arizona BSN Programs
Here are the best BSN programs in Arizona, 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 | Grand Canyon University (BSN) Tucson | 56 | 98.21% | 98.21%¹ |
| 2 | Grand Canyon University (BSN) Sun City | 73 | 95.89% | 95.89%¹ |
| 3 | Arizona College (BSN) Tempe | 185 | 92.43% | 95.43% |
| 4 | Northern Arizona University (BSN) | 156 | 93.59% | 94.73% |
| 5 | Arizona State University (Accelerated BSN) | 85 | 94.12% | 94.12%¹ |
| 6 | Creighton University (BSN) | 88 | 88.64% | 93.97% |
| 7 | University of Arizona (BSN) | 268 | 86.57% | 93.59% |
| 8 | Grand Canyon University (BSN) | 388 | 88.4% | 92.90% |
| 9 | Arizona College (BSN) Tucson | 28 | 92.86% | 92.86%¹ |
| 10 | Chamberlain University | 207 | 88.89% | 92.09% |
| 11 | Arizona State University (BSN) | 322 | 85.71% | 91.40% |
| 12 | Brookline College (BSN) | 216 | 63.89% | 76.08% |
| 13 | Aspen University School of Nursing (BSN) | 270 | 63.7% | 67.25%² |
²2020-2022 Average Pass Rate
Key Takeaways:
- Arizona College of Nursing Tempe has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among BSN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 95.43%.
- Grand Canyon University Tucson has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among BSN Programs, at 98.21%.
- Brookline College has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among BSN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 76.08%.
- Aspen University School of Nursing has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among BSN Programs, at 63.7%.
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Arizona Nursing Associate Degree Programs
Here are the best Nursing Associate Degree Programs in Arizona, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | Associate Degree Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rates (2022) | Average Pass Rates (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastern Arizona College | 72 | 100% | 98.71% |
| 2 | Estrella Mountain CC MaricopaNursing | 81 | 95.06% | 96.28% |
| 3 | Scottsdale CC MaricopaNursing | 103 | 93.2% | 96.07% |
| 4 | Paradise Valley CC MaricopaNursing | 105 | 90.48% | 94.95% |
| 5 | Pima Medical Institute- Tucson | 55 | 87.27% | 92.73% |
| 6 | GateWay CC MaricopaNursing | 218 | 88.99% | 92.45% |
| 7 | Glendale CC MaricopaNursing | 182 | 86.81% | 92.31% |
| 8 | Central Arizona College | 46 | 86.96% | 92.30% |
| 9 | Northland Pioneer College | 38 | 92.11% | 91.91% |
| 10 | Yavapai College | 88 | 89.77% | 91.64% |
| 11 | Chandler-Gilbert CC MaricopaNursing | 66 | 87.88% | 90.92% |
| 12 | Pima CC – West Campus | 182 | 89.01% | 88.44% |
| 13 | Arizona Western College (ADN) | 67 | 86.57% | 86.22% |
| 14 | Coconino CC | 31 | 80.65% | 85.19% |
| 15 | Cochise College | 91 | 69.23% | 83.05% |
| 16 | Phoenix College MaricopaNursing | 122 | 74.59% | 81.36% |
| 17 | Carrington College -Tucson | 51 | 84.31% | 80.04%¹ |
| 18 | Pima Medical Institute- Mesa | 57 | 68.42% | 79.55% |
| 19 | Carrington College- Phoenix | 72 | 70.83% | 75.13% |
| 20 | Mohave CC | 115 | 74.78% | 74.38% |
| 21 | Carrington College-Mesa | 67 | 64.18% | 72.57%¹ |
| 22 | Mesa CC MaricopaNursing | 195 | 92.82% | 70.33% |
Key Takeaways:
- Eastern Arizona College has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among Nursing Associate Degree Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 98.71%.
- Eastern Arizona College has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among Nursing Associate Degree Programs, at 100%.
- Mesa Community College MaricopaNursing has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among Nursing Associate Degree Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 70.33%.
- Carrington College-Mesa has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among Nursing Associate Degree Programs, at 64.18%.
Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: Best Arizona PN Programs
Here are the best PN programs in Arizona, ranked by Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | PN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mesa CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 15 | 100% | 100% |
| 2 | Northland Pioneer College- PN Step Out | 10 | 100% | 100% |
| 3 | Scottsdale CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 7 | 100% | 100% |
| 4 | Arizona Western College | 1 | 100% | 100.00% |
| 5 | Chandler-Gilbert CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 2 | 100% | 100.00%³ |
| 6 | Eastern Arizona College- PN Step Out | 9 | 100% | 100.00% |
| 7 | Pima CC – West Campus – PN Step Out | 2 | 100% | 100.00% |
| 8 | Yavapai College | 2 | 100% | 100.00%⁴ |
| 9 | GateWay CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 14 | 100% | 98.75% |
| 10 | Central Arizona College- PN Step Out | 25 | 100% | 98.53% |
| 11 | Cochise College- PN Step Out | 45 | 93.33% | 97.33% |
| 12 | Estrella Mountain CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 12 | 91.67% | 97.22%² |
| 13 | Mohave CC- PN Step Out | 8 | 87.5% | 96.88% |
| 14 | Paradise Valley CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 10 | 90% | 96.67%² |
| 15 | Pima CC – Skill Center-PN | 40 | 97.5% | 95.00% |
| 16 | Glendale CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 4 | 100% | 93.75% |
| 17 | GateWay CC Fast Track PN | 123 | 90.24% | 90.69% |
| 18 | Cochise College | 16 | 100% | 89.04% |
| 19 | Phoenix College CC MaricopaNursing- PN Step Out | 22 | 86.36% | 78.96% |
| 20 | Mohave CC – PN Certificate Program | 23 | 65.22% | 78.52%³ |
| 21 | East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) | 36 | 69.44% | 78.30% |
| 22 | Smith Chason School of Nursing | 39 | 74.36% | 69.87%¹ |
²2019-2020, 2022 Average Pass Rate
³2020-2022 Average Pass Rate
⁴2022 Pass Rate Only
Key Takeaways:
- Mesa Community College MaricopaNursing (PN Step Out Program) has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in Arizona among PN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 100%.
- Central Arizona College (PN Step Out Program) has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in Arizona among PN Programs, at 100%.
- East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among PN Programs from 2019 through 2022, at 78.30%.
- Mohave Community College (PN Certificate Program) has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Arizona among LPN Programs, at 65.22%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times can you fail the NCLEX in Arizona?
In Arizona, there’s no limit on NCLEX attempts, but a 45-day wait is required between tests. However, if over 2 years have passed since completing your nursing program’s clinical portion, you must pass a nurse refresher course. A temporary license is provided for this refresher course’s clinical section.
What is the pass rate for the NCLEX in Arizona?
In 2022, Arizona’s NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was 84.79% and the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was 89.03%.
What is the pass rate for the NCLEX at Phoenix College nursing?
Phoenix College Nursing’s 2022 NCLEX-RN pass rate was 74.59% while the NCLEX-PN was 86.36%.
What is ASU’s first-time NCLEX pass rate?
ASU’s 2022 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 83.28%, with respective RN programs performing as follows:
- ASU’s Entry to Nursing Practice MS- 70% NCLEX pass rate
- ASU’s Accelerated BSN Program- 94.12% NCLEX pass rate
- ASU’s BSN Program- 85.71% NCLEX pass rate
What nursing school has the highest NCLEX pass rate in Arizona?
Based on the 2022 Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates for BSN programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Grand Canyon University Tucson, which recorded 98.21%.
For Nursing Associate Degree Programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Eastern Arizona College, which recorded 100%.
For PN Programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate, with more passed candidates, is Central Arizona College (PN Step Out Program), which recorded 100%.
Can You Exclusively Rely on NCLEX Pass Rates When Researching Nursing Programs in Arizona?
No. While NCLEX Pass Rates are a powerful determinant of program quality & rigor in Arizona, you should consider them alongside other factors such as the program’s accreditation status, clinical experience opportunities, cost of attendance, location, etc.
- Arizona State Board of Nursing NCLEX Pass Rates
- 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
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