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In 2022, North Carolina’s NCLEX-RN Pass Rate was 82.7% and the NCLEX-PN Pass Rate was 91%.
In this article, we break down North Carolina 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?
North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates: Statewide Statistics
2022 NCLEX-RN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 4,578 | 82.7% | 87.5% | 92.0% |
| National | 188,005 | 79.90% | 82.5% | 86.6% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, North Carolina recorded an 82.7% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.90% National Average.
- In 2021, North Carolina recorded an 87.5% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 82.5% National Average.
- In 2020, North Carolina recorded a 92.0% NCLEX-RN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 86.6% National Average.
- North Carolina NCLEX-RN Pass Rate has been steadily declining from 2020 through 2022.
- North Carolina NCLEX-RN Pass Rate has been above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
2022 NCLEX-PN
| No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Pass Rate (2021) | Pass Rate (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 880 | 91% | 88.5% | 88.7% |
| National | 47,635 | 79.93% | 79.6% | 83.1% |
Key Takeaways:
- In 2022, North Carolina recorded a 91% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.93% National Average.
- In 2021, North Carolina recorded an 88.5% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. a 79.6% National Average.
- In 2020, North Carolina recorded an 88.7% NCLEX-PN Pass Rate statewide vs. an 83.1% National Average.
- North Carolina NCLEX-PN Pass Rate rose by about 3% from 2021 through 2022.
- North Carolina NCLEX-PN Pass Rate has been above the National Average from 2020 through 2022.
North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates: Best North Carolina BSN Programs
Here are the best BSN programs in North Carolina, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 3 years.
| Rank | BSN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2020-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Carolina University | 94 | 98% | 99.0% |
| 2 | Watts College of Nursing | 46 | 96% | 98.0%¹ |
| 3 | Wingate University | 20 | 100% | 97.7% |
| 4 | Methodist University | 14 | 100% | 97.3% |
| 5 | East Carolina University | 220 | 95% | 96.0% |
| 6 | Appalachian State University | 36 | 97% | 94.3% |
| 7 | UNC-Chapel Hill | 198 | 90% | 94.0% |
| 8 | Duke University- ABSN | 148 | 88% | 92.0% |
| 9 | UNC-Charlotte | 93 | 88% | 92.0% |
| 10 | Campbell University | 46 | 85% | 90.3% |
| 11 | UNC-Greensboro | 109 | 92% | 89.7% |
| 12 | UNC-Wilmington | 96 | 83% | 89.7% |
| 13 | Barton College | 36 | 81% | 89.3% |
| 14 | Chamberlain University | 57 | 89% | 89.3% |
| 15 | Pfeiffer University | 10 | 90% | 89.3% |
| 16 | Gardner-Webb University | 59 | 86% | 89.3% |
| 17 | South College | 25 | 100% | 87.0% |
| 18 | UNC-Pembroke | 36 | 83% | 86.3% |
| 19 | Winston-Salem State University | 91 | 86% | 86.3% |
| 20 | Lenoir-Rhyne University | 36 | 75% | 86.0% |
| 21 | Northeastern University | 101 | 78% | 85.0% |
| 22 | Queens University of Charlotte | 103 | 78% | 83.0% |
| 23 | Fayetteville State University | 85 | 78% | 81.7% |
| 24 | NC Central University | 56 | 71% | 79.7% |
| 25 | NC A&T State University | 41 | 71% | 78.0% |
| 26 | Lees-McRae College | 7 | 71% | 76.3% |
| 27 | Catawba College | 16 | 100% | 70.3% |
| 28 | Mars Hill University | 19 | 74% | 70.0% |
Key Takeaways:
- Western Carolina University has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among BSN Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 99%.
- South College has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in North Carolina among BSN Programs, at 100%.
- Mars Hill University has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among BSN Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 70%.
- NC A&T State University has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among BSN Programs, at 70.73%.
North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates: Best North Carolina Nursing Associate Degree Programs
Here are the best Nursing Associate Degree Programs in North Carolina, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 3 years.
| Rank | Associate Degree Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rates (2022) | Average Pass Rates (2020-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Montgomery CC | 8 | 100% | 100.0%¹ |
| 2 | Alamance CC | 43 | 93% | 97.7% |
| 3 | Beaufort County CC | 27 | 96% | 97.3% |
| 4 | Central Piedmont CC | 63 | 98% | 97.3% |
| 5 | Cabarrus College of Health Science | 77 | 99% | 96.7% |
| 6 | College of the Albemarle | 24 | 100% | 96.3% |
| 7 | Randolph CC | 11 | 100% | 96.3% |
| 8 | Cape Fear CC | 75 | 97% | 96.3% |
| 9 | Central Carolina CC | 17 | 100% | 95.3% |
| 10 | South Piedmont CC | 20 | 95% | 95.3% |
| 11 | Stanly CC | 27 | 93% | 94.7% |
| 12 | Wake Tech CC | 149 | 91% | 94.7% |
| 13 | Wayne CC | 39 | 95% | 94.7% |
| 14 | Sampson CC | 33 | 91% | 93.7% |
| 15 | Brunswick CC | 22 | 95% | 93.7% |
| 16 | Blue Ridge CC | 30 | 93% | 93.0% |
| 17 | Caldwell CC | 37 | 89% | 93.0% |
| 18 | Gaston College | 75 | 89% | 92.7% |
| 19 | Guilford Tech CC | 64 | 97% | 92.7% |
| 20 | Carolinas College of Health Science | 116 | 84% | 92.3% |
| 21 | Mitchell CC | 46 | 96% | 92.3% |
| 22 | Lenoir CC | 30 | 90% | 92.0% |
| 23 | ECPI University-Raleigh | 40 | 95% | 91.5%¹ |
| 24 | Mayland CC | 7 | 86% | 91.3% |
| 25 | Durham Tech CC | 39 | 90% | 91.0% |
| 26 | Forsyth Tech CC | 112 | 88% | 91.0% |
| 27 | Johnston CC | 38 | 100% | 90.3% |
| 28 | Piedmont CC | 33 | 85% | 90.3% |
| 29 | Western Piedmont CC | 27 | 93% | 90.3% |
| 30 | Sandhills CC | 59 | 86% | 89.7% |
| 31 | Surry CC | 40 | 95% | 89.3% |
| 32 | Carteret CC | 18 | 89% | 88.7% |
| 33 | Richmond CC | 36 | 86% | 88.7% |
| 34 | Robeson CC | 48 | 77% | 88.3% |
| 35 | James Sprunt CC | 23 | 83% | 87.0% |
| 36 | Gardner-Webb University | 16 | 75% | 86.3% |
| 37 | Bladen CC | 35 | 86% | 86.0% |
| 38 | Foothills Nursing Consortium | 70 | 87% | 86.0% |
| 39 | Craven CC | 56 | 84% | 85.3% |
| 40 | Wilson CC | 32 | 94% | 85.3% |
| 41 | Rockingham CC | 40 | 88% | 85.0% |
| 42 | Wilkes CC | 31 | 74% | 85.0% |
| 43 | ECPI University-Charlotte | 53 | 85% | 84.7% |
| 44 | Southwestern CC | 20 | 80% | 83.3% |
| 45 | Catawba Valley CC | 79 | 71% | 83.0% |
| 46 | Edgecombe CC | 37 | 81% | 83.0% |
| 47 | Nash CC | 34 | 91% | 82.3% |
| 48 | Asheville-Buncombe Tech CC | 95 | 75% | 81.3% |
| 49 | Rowan-Cabarrus CC | 74 | 81% | 81.3% |
| 50 | Fayetteville Tech CC | 97 | 78% | 80.3% |
| 51 | Southeastern CC | 22 | 68% | 80.3% |
| 52 | Davidson-Davie CC | 70 | 76% | 78.7% |
| 53 | Coastal Carolina CC | 30 | 70% | 75.0% |
| 54 | Pitt CC | 93 | 58% | 75.0% |
| 55 | Region A Nursing Consortium | 42 | 83% | 74.7% |
| 56 | Halifax CC | 36 | 86% | 74.7% |
| 57 | Vance-Granville CC | 45 | 69% | 74.3% |
| 58 | Roanoke-Chowan CC | 4 | 50% | 73.3% |
Key Takeaways:
- Alamance Community College has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among Nursing Associate Degree Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 97.7%.
- Johnston Community College has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in North Carolina among Nursing Associate Degree Programs, at 100%.
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among Nursing Associate Degree Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 73.3%.
- Roanoke-Chowan Community College has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among Nursing Associate Degree Programs, at 50%.
North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates: Best North Carolina Diploma Nursing Programs
Here are the best Diploma Nursing Programs in North Carolina, ranked by Average NCLEX-RN Pass Rate in the last 3 years.
| Rank | Nursing Diploma Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rates (2022) | Average Pass Rates (2020-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watts School of Nursing | 4 | 75% | 85.7% |
Key Takeaways:
- Watts School of Nursing had the only diploma in nursing program in North Carolina. It has transitioned to Watts College of Nursing, and now with a BSN program.
North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates: Best North Carolina LPN Programs
Here are the best LPN programs in North Carolina, ranked by Average NCLEX-PN Pass Rate in the last 3 years.
| Rank | LPN Programs | No. of Candidates (2022) | Pass Rate (2022) | Average Pass Rate (2020-2022) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Caldwell CC | 29 | 100% | 100.0% |
| 2 | College of the Albemarle | 19 | 100% | 100.0% |
| 3 | Edgecombe CC | 17 | 100% | 100.0% |
| 4 | Lenoir CC | 9 | 100% | 100.0% |
| 5 | Mayland CC | No Testers | No Testers | 100.0%¹ |
| 6 | Richmond CC | 12 | 100% | 100.0% |
| 7 | Gaston College | 48 | 100% | 99.3% |
| 8 | Isothermal CC | 14 | 100% | 98.3% |
| 9 | Beaufort County CC | 16 | 100% | 97.7% |
| 10 | Brunswick CC | 3 | 100% | 97.5%² |
| 11 | South Piedmont CC | 8 | 100% | 97.3% |
| 12 | Cape Fear CC | 23 | 100% | 97.0% |
| 13 | Craven CC | 11 | 91% | 97.0% |
| 14 | Sampson CC | 18 | 94% | 96.0% |
| 15 | Surry CC | 17 | 88% | 94.0% |
| 16 | Wilson CC | 14 | 100% | 94.0% |
| 17 | Montgomery CC | 8 | 88% | 93.7% |
| 18 | Rowan-Cabarrus CC | 16 | 94% | 93.7% |
| 19 | Cleveland CC | 19 | 100% | 93.3% |
| 20 | Central Carolina CC | 22 | 91% | 93.0% |
| 21 | James Sprunt CC | 9 | 89% | 92.7% |
| 22 | ECPI-Raleigh | 56 | 98% | 92.3% |
| 23 | Davidson- Davie CC | 20 | 75% | 91.7% |
| 24 | Durham Tech CC | 21 | 81% | 91.3% |
| 25 | ECPI-Charlotte | 62 | 92% | 91.0% |
| 26 | McDowell Tech CC | 28 | 100% | 91.0% |
| 27 | Wayne CC | 14 | 93% | 91.0% |
| 28 | Forsyth Tech CC | 64 | 84% | 88.7% |
| 29 | Robeson CC | 15 | 80% | 88.3% |
| 30 | Southeastern CC | 5 | 80% | 85.7% |
| 31 | ECPI-Greensboro | 96 | 96% | 82.7% |
| 32 | Fayetteville Tech CC | 54 | 85% | 79.7% |
| 33 | Bladen CC | 17 | 82% | 79.7% |
| 34 | Halifax CC | 14 | 64% | 78.0% |
| 35 | Vance-Granville CC | 20 | 90% | 78.0% |
| 36 | Rockingham CC | 20 | 80% | 77.7% |
| 37 | Coastal Carolina CC | 20 | 70% | 77.0% |
| 38 | Nash CC | 12 | 75% | 73.0% |
| 39 | Guilford Tech CC | 7 | 86% | 57.3% |
²2020 & 2022 Average Pass Rate
Key Takeaways:
- Caldwell Community College has the highest average NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in North Carolina among LPN Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 100%.
- Gaston College has the highest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate, with more passed candidates, in North Carolina among LPN Programs, at 100%.
- Guilford Tech Community College has the lowest average NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among LPN Programs from 2020 through 2022, at 57.3%.
- Halifax Community College has the lowest 2022 NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina among LPN Programs, at 64.29%.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times can you fail the NCLEX in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, there’s no limit on how many times you can fail the NCLEX. You can retake it every 45 days, with no restrictions or mandatory refresher courses.
What is the passing rate for the NCLEX for UNC-Chapel Hill?
The NCLEX pass rate for UNC-Chapel Hill in 2022 was 90.4%
What is the NCLEX pass rate for Queens University of Charlotte Nursing?
The NCLEX pass rate for Queens University of Charlotte in 2022 was 77.67%.
What Nursing School has the Highest NCLEX Pass Rate in North Carolina?
Based on the 2022 North Carolina NCLEX Pass Rates for BSN programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate is South College, which recorded 100%.
For Nursing Associate Degree Programs, the nursing school with the highest NCLEX pass rate, with more passed candidates, is Johnston Community College, which recorded 100%.
Can You Exclusively Rely on NCLEX Pass Rates When Researching Nursing Programs in North Carolina?
No. While NCLEX Pass Rates are a powerful determinant of program quality & rigor in North Carolina, you should consider them alongside other factors such as the program’s accreditation status, clinical experience opportunities, cost of attendance, location, etc.
- North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) Statistics for NCLEX
- 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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