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In 2022, Illinois NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was 77% and the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was also 77%.
In this article, we break down Illinois 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?
Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates: Statewide Statistics
2022 NCLEX-RN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 7,281 | 77% | 82.3% | 89.5% |
| National | 188,005 | 79.90% | 82.5% | 86.6% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Illinois recorded a 77% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.90% National Average.
- In 2021, Illinois recorded an 82.3% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 82.5% National Average.
- In 2020, Illinois recorded an 89.5% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 86.6% National Average.
- Illinois NCLEX-RN Pass Rate has been steadily declining, just like the National Average, from 2020 through 2022.
- Illinois NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was above the National Average in 2020; but below the National Average in 2021 and 2022.
2022 NCLEX-PN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 1,424 | 77% | 83.3% | 87.5% |
| National | 47,635 | 79.93% | 79.6% | 83.1% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, Illinois recorded a 77% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.93% National Average.
- In 2021, Illinois recorded an 83.3% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.6% National Average.
- In 2020, Illinois recorded an 87.5% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 83.1% National Average.
- Illinois NCLEX-PN Pass Rate has been steadily declining from 2020 through 2022.
- Illinois NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was above the National Average in 2020 and 2021; but below the National Average in 2022.
Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates: Direct Entry MSN Programs
Here are the approved Direct Entry/Entry Level MSN programs in Illinois, ranked by the Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | Direct Entry MSN Program | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rush University | 136 | 95% | 96.75% |
| 2 | Millikin University | 7 | 86% | 94% |
| 3 | Trinity College | 14 | 93% | 90.67%¹ |
| 4 | Elmhurst College | 26 | 88% | 90.25% |
| 5 | DePaul University | 187 | 81% | 89.75% |
| 6 | Methodist College | 16 | 56% | 78%² |
| 7 | University of Illinois | 82 | 63% | 75.25% |
²2021-2022 Average Pass Rate
Key Takeaways:
- Rush University has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among Direct MSN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 96.75%.
- Rush University has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among Direct MSN Programs, at 95%.
- University of Illinois has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among Direct MSN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 75.25%.
- Methodist College has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among Direct MSN Programs, at 56%.
Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates: BSN Programs
Here are the approved BSN programs in Illinois, ranked by the Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | BSN Program | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Anthony College of Nursing | 60 | 92% | 96.75% |
| 2 | Trinity Christian College | 32 | 84% | 96% |
| 3 | Lewis University | 104 | 92% | 95.25% |
| 4 | Mennonite Nursing at Illinois State Univ. | 186 | 90% | 94.25% |
| 5 | Western Illinois University | 29 | 93% | 94.25% |
| 6 | Bradley University | 77 | 92% | 92.5% |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 12 | 83% | 91.5%* |
| 8 | Loyola University | 420 | 87% | 91.25% |
| 9 | Olivet Nazarene University | 72 | 97% | 91.25% |
| 10 | Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing | 47 | 94% | 90% |
| 11 | Dominican University | 29 | 79% | 88.5% |
| 12 | Northern Illinois University | 122 | 75% | 88% |
| 13 | Millikin University | 55 | 67% | 87.5% |
| 14 | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville | 248 | 79% | 87.5% |
| 15 | Lakeview College of Nursing | 63 | 81% | 87% |
| 16 | St. John’s College of Nursing | 49 | 84% | 87% |
| 17 | Aurora University | 143 | 78% | 86.75% |
| 18 | Univ. of St. Francis Cof N & Allied Health | 98 | 88% | 85.25% |
| 19 | St. Francis Medical Center | 98 | 84% | 85% |
| 20 | Trinity College | 45 | 89% | 85% |
| 21 | Methodist College | 122 | 81% | 84.75% |
| 22 | Chamberlain College of Nursing | 770 | 78% | 84% |
| 23 | Elmhurst College | 52 | 71% | 81.25% |
| 24 | North Park University | 54 | 80% | 80.75% |
| 25 | St. Xavier University | 133 | 60% | 79.5% |
| 26 | Illinois Wesleyan University | 54 | 63% | 79% |
| 27 | University of Illinois Chicago | 194 | 64% | 79% |
| 28 | Rockford University Dept of Nursing | 44 | 64% | 71.5% |
| 29 | Oak Point University | 259 | 70% | 69% |
| 30 | Roosevelt University | 34 | 53% | 65.25% |
| 31 | Illinois College, Department of Nursing | 11 | 73% | 61.5%* |
| 32 | Chicago State University | 28 | 50% | 40.25% |
Key Takeaways:
- St. Anthony College of Nursing has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among BSN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 96.75%.
- Olivet Nazarene University has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among BSN Programs, at 97%.
- Chicago State University has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among BSN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 40.25%.
- Chicago State University has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among BSN Programs, at 56%.
Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates: ADN Programs
Here are the approved ADN programs in Illinois, ranked by the Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | ADN Program | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambria College of Nursing | 49 | 98% | 97.5% |
| 2 | Southeastern Illinois College | 16 | 100% | 97% |
| 3 | McHenry County College | 22 | 91% | 95.5% |
| 4 | John A. Logan College | 44 | 95% | 95.25% |
| 5 | Joliet Junior College | 87 | 87% | 94.25% |
| 6 | Southwestern Illinois College | 68 | 88% | 93.5% |
| 7 | Kaskaskia College | 58 | 88% | 93% |
| 8 | Black Hawk College | 51 | 80% | 92.75% |
| 9 | Oakton Community College | 46 | 89% | 92.5% |
| 10 | College of DuPage | 109 | 83% | 91.75% |
| 11 | Kankakee Community College | 42 | 83% | 91.5% |
| 12 | Heartland Community College | 36 | 83% | 90.25% |
| 13 | Shawnee College | 19 | 100% | 89.5% |
| 14 | CCC-School of Nursing at Malcolm X | 127 | 87% | 89% |
| 15 | Lincoln Land Community College | 123 | 88% | 89% |
| 16 | William Rainey Harper College | 118 | 80% | 89% |
| 17 | Elgin Community College | 74 | 81% | 88.75% |
| 18 | Rock Valley College | 36 | 86% | 87% |
| 19 | Moraine Valley Community College | 65 | 82% | 86.75% |
| 20 | Kishwaukee College | 64 | 83% | 86.5% |
| 21 | Waubonsee Community College | 72 | 92% | 86% |
| 22 | Lake Land College | 79 | 84% | 85.5% |
| 23 | Illinois Valley Community College | 43 | 84% | 84.75% |
| 24 | John Wood Community College | 40 | 83% | 83.75% |
| 25 | College of Lake County | 58 | 81% | 83.5% |
| 26 | South Suburban College | 22 | 73% | 83.25% |
| 27 | Sauk Valley Community College | 28 | 82% | 82.75% |
| 28 | Danville Area Community College | 32 | 91% | 81.75% |
| 29 | Lewis & Clark Community College | 90 | 76% | 81.75% |
| 30 | Prairie State College | 51 | 78% | 80.25% |
| 31 | Spoon River College | 13 | 62% | 79.5% |
| 32 | Illinois Central College | 57 | 68% | 79.25% |
| 33 | Parkland College | 66 | 70% | 78.75% |
| 34 | Richland Community College | 44 | 68% | 78.25% |
| 35 | Illinois Eastern Community College-AD | 83 | 64% | 77.5% |
| 36 | Rend Lake College | 36 | 86% | 75.5% |
| 37 | Highland Community College | 35 | 86% | 74.5% |
| 38 | Carl Sandburg College | 33 | 82% | 74.25% |
| 39 | Rasmussen College | 677 | 51% | 69.75% |
| 40 | Triton College | 58 | 45% | 68.5% |
| 41 | Morton College | 111 | 45% | 63.5% |
| 42 | Northwestern College | 44 | 34% | 49.75% |
| Hospital Degree Programs, RN | ||||
| 1 | Graham Hospital Association | 16 | 88% | 87.75% |
Key Takeaways:
- Ambria College of Nursing has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among ADN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 97.5%.
- Southeastern Illinois College and Shawnee College have the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among ADN Programs, at 100%.
- Northwestern College has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among ADN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 49.75%.
- Northwestern College has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among ADN Programs, at 34%.
Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates: LPN Programs
Here are the approved LPN programs in Illinois, ranked by the Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 4 years.
| Rank | LPN Program | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2019-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambria College of Nursing | 31 | 100% | 100% |
| 2 | Heartland Community College | 6 | 100% | 98% |
| 3 | Kaskaskia College | 21 | 95% | 97.25% |
| 4 | Southeastern Illinois College | 34 | 97% | 97.25% |
| 5 | Spoon River College | 5 | 100% | 97% |
| 6 | Black Hawk College | 19 | 100% | 96.75% |
| 7 | Joliet Junior College | 43 | 100% | 96.75% |
| 8 | Danville Area Community College | 18 | 100% | 96% |
| 9 | Lake Land College | 38 | 100% | 96% |
| 10 | Carl Sandburg College | 8 | 100% | 95.25% |
| 11 | Rend Lake College | 32 | 94% | 95% |
| 12 | CALC Institute of Technology | 1 | 100% | 94.75% |
| 13 | CCC-School of Nursing at Malcolm X | 25 | 92% | 94.5% |
| 14 | Illinois Central College | 37 | 97% | 93.5% |
| 15 | College of DuPage | 23 | 83% | 93% |
| 16 | John A Logan Community College | 70 | 89% | 93% |
| 17 | Shawnee Community College | 24 | 96% | 93% |
| 18 | William Rainey Harper College | 25 | 96% | 93% |
| 19 | CAAN, Coalition of African American Nurses | 22 | 91% | 92.75% |
| 20 | Illinois Eastern Community Colleges | 64 | 89% | 92.75% |
| 21 | Moraine Valley Community College | 4 | 100% | 91.67% |
| 22 | Verve College | 88 | 88% | 91.25% |
| 23 | Sauk Valley Community College | 16 | 81% | 89% |
| 24 | John Wood Community College | 17 | 88% | 87.75% |
| 25 | Kankakee Community College | 7 | 86% | 87.5% |
| 26 | Great Paragon Healthcare, Inc. | 17 | 76% | 85.75% |
| 27 | Richland Community College | 12 | 75% | 84.5% |
| 28 | Capital Area School of Practical Nursing | 81 | 81% | 84.25% |
| 29 | Illinois Valley Community College | 10 | 70% | 81.75% |
| 30 | New Lake College | 17 | 65% | 80% |
| 31 | Lincoln Land Community College | 28 | 71% | 78.25% |
| 32 | Americare Technical School | 54 | 74% | 77.5% |
| 33 | North Shore College | 180 | 62% | 75.5% |
| 34 | Beck School of Practical Nursing | 56 | 59% | 74% |
| 35 | ATS Institute of Technology | 108 | 65% | 72.5% |
| 36 | Illinois College of Nursing | 7 | 100% | 70.5% |
| 37 | State Career College | 14 | 50% | 68.67% |
| 38 | Parkland College | 13 | 77% | 66.5% |
| 39 | Aquarius Institute | 6 | 67% | 59.5% |
| 40 | Oakton Community College | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| 41 | Southwestern Illinois College | 43 | 44% | 44%¹ |
| 42 | Genesis Healthcare Institute | 16 | 25% | 42.5%² |
²2021-2022 Average Pass Rate
Key Takeaways:
- Ambria College of Nursing has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among LPN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 100%.
- Ambria College of Nursing, Heartland Community College, Spoon River College, Black Hawk College, Joliet Junior College, Danville Area Community College, Lake Land College, Carl Sandburg College, CALC Institute of Technology, Moraine Valley Community College, and Illinois College of Nursing have the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among LPN Programs, at 100%.
- Oakton Community College has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among LPN Programs between 2019 and 2022, at 50%.
- Genesis Healthcare Institute has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in Illinois among LPN Programs, at 34%.
How Illinois Evaluates Nursing Programs Using NCLEX Pass Rates
NCLEX first-time pass rates are important in determining the quality of nursing programs, and their continued eligibility for state approval.
Here’s the criteria laid out by the Division of Professional Regulation under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR).
To maintain their status, a nursing school must ensure at least 75% of their first-time test takers pass the NCLEX. If a school’s pass rate dips below 75% for one year, the Division will issue a written warning notifying them of their non-compliance.
Now, if a nursing program falls below the 75% pass rate two years in a row, things get more serious. The Division performs a site visit to evaluate the program and make recommendations. At this point, the program is put on probation.
Once on probation, the nursing program has a two-year window to rectify the situation. They’ll need to implement strategies to improve their pass rates and reach that crucial 75% threshold.
But, if after two years and all those corrective actions, the pass rate is still under 75%, the program is reviewed again.
It could continue under probationary status, or it might face disapproval. In the worst-case scenario, the program might even be struck off the list of approved nursing programs in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Based on the 2022 Illinois NCLEX Pass Rates for BSN programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is Olivet Nazarene University, which recorded 97%.
In Illinois, you can retake the NCLEX exam up to eight times a year, but with a 45-day gap between each attempt. However, you are required to pass within three years of graduating from nursing school.
Data Sources
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Responsibility (IDFPR) NCLEX Summary Data
- 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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