[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke”][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Key Takeaways[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”check” marker-color=”secondary”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Hampshire leads the nation with a 96.5% NCLEX pass rate, followed by North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, and Wyoming.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nationally, 91.2% of test-takers passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]BSN graduates consistently outscore associate degree holders on the NCLEX, reinforcing the value of a four-year nursing degree.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurses must pass the National Council Licensure Exam, better known as the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/nclex/guide/”]NCLEX[/hen-ui-link], to qualify for licensure. A high rate indicates that the state’s nursing schools prepare graduates for licensure and nursing careers. Our guide breaks down NCLEX pass rates and salary data by state.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Nursing Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What Is the NCLEX Exam?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The NCLEX exam is a standardized test that evaluates nursing school graduates’ clinical judgment and nursing skills. Prospective nurses must pass the NCLEX to receive a nursing license from their state board of nursing.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This critical nursing licensure exam has two formats: the [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/lpn-lvn/”]NCLEX-PN for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) [/hen-ui-link]and the NCLEX-RN for [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn/”]registered nurses (RNs)[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/nclex/things-to-know-about-the-nclex-exam/”]Passing the NCLEX[/hen-ui-link] is not easy. Both versions of the exam test candidates in four areas: safe and effective care environment; health promotion and maintenance; psychosocial integrity; and physiological integrity.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nationally, 91.2% of test-takers passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt, according to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/publications/2024_NCLEX_Pass_Rates” target=”_blank”]National Council of State Boards of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] (NCSBN). However, some states boast much higher first-time NCLEX pass rates.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Top 5 States with the Highest NCLEX Pass Rates[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]More than 186,000 test-takers attempted the NCLEX-RN for the first time in 2024. While nursing programs need to reach an 80% pass rate to maintain accreditation, some states stand out when it comes to passing scores on the exam.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In all five states on this list, graduates with a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] report a higher pass rate than those with an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link]. These states also benefit from above-average demand for RNs, making them great states to become a nurse.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”py-4 my-0 text-center border-b md:pb-8 md:border-none”]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-article-row variant=”3-col” ids=”34116,34440,37456″][/hen-ui-article-row]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]1. New Hampshire[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): [/hen-ui-text]96.5%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]95.2%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]97.8%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Total Number of Candidates (2024): [/hen-ui-text]836[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]New Hampshire has the highest NCLEX pass rate average in the U.S., exceeding the national average by more than five percentage points. In fact, New Hampshire has achieved the highest overall NCLEX pass rate every year since 2018.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RNs in the Granite State benefit from a strong job outlook. The median annual salary for New Hampshire RNs is $94,620, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And nursing jobs are projected to grow 6.6% from 2022 to 2032, reports the [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm?AreaName=new+hampshire&Name=registered+nurse&items_per_page=10″ target=”_blank”]U.S. Department of Labor[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]2. North Dakota[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): [/hen-ui-text]96.4%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]94.9%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]97.0%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Total Number of Candidates (2024): [/hen-ui-text]591[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]North Dakota has the second-highest NCLEX pass rate in the country. In addition to its strong pass rate, North Dakota reports a high demand for nurses. The number of RN jobs in the state is projected to [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/Projections/LongTerm?AreaName=new+hampshire&Name=registered+nurse&items_per_page=10″ target=”_blank”]grow 10.4%[/hen-ui-link] from 2022 to 2032.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In 2024, 570 candidates passed the NCLEX-RN exam in North Dakota, yet 770 RN job openings are projected annually. The gap between newly licensed RNs and job openings means many opportunities for North Dakota RNs, who earn an average salary of $81,900 per year.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]3. Nebraska[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): [/hen-ui-text]95.1%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]93.4%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]95.5%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Total Number of Candidates (2024): [/hen-ui-text]1,153[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nebraska has one of the highest NCLEX pass rates in the country, exceeding 95% for first-time test takers and BSN graduates. RN jobs in the state are projected to [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/longterm” target=”_blank”]grow 7.7%[/hen-ui-link] from 2022 to 2032. According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://center4nursing.ne.gov/” target=”_blank”]Nebraska Center for Nursing[/hen-ui-link], 12 of the state’s counties have one or fewer RNs, and the state offers competitive salaries for rural nursing jobs.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Cornhusker State also reports strong salaries for RNs. Nebraska’s average RN salary is $82,890. RNs can also take advantage of the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nebraskanurses.org/” target=”_blank”]Nebraska Nurses Association[/hen-ui-link], which offers networking opportunities, a job board, and continuing education resources.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]4. Tennessee[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): [/hen-ui-text]94.9%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]93.0%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]96.8%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Total Number of Candidates (2024): [/hen-ui-text]3,866[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Among the top five states with the highest NCLEX-RN pass rates, Tennessee also has the strongest forecasted job growth. RN jobs in the state are projected to grow [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/longterm” target=”_blank”]12.8% from 2022 to 2032[/hen-ui-link], more than double the national job growth.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This equates to 4,200 RN job openings annually, higher than the number of first-time NCLEX test-takers. The state’s employers include world-class health facilities like the Vanderbilt Transplant Center, which performed more transplants than any other transplant center in the world in 2024.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Tennessee nurses also earn an average pay of over $82,000 in a state with a low cost of living.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]5. Wyoming[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]NCLEX Pass Rate Average (2024): [/hen-ui-text]94.9%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Associate Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]94.3%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]RN-Bachelor Degree NCLEX Pass Rate (2024): [/hen-ui-text]98.1%[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Total Number of Candidates (2024): [/hen-ui-text]326[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Although Wyoming has fewer test-takers than many other states, it boasts a high NCLEX pass rate. Wyoming’s BSN-prepared nurses have the highest NCLEX pass rate of any state, at over 98%.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Wyoming nurses benefit from above-average demand and strong salaries. The number of RN jobs in the state is projected to grow [hen-ui-link href=”https://projectionscentral.org/longterm” target=”_blank”]11.9% from 2022 to 2032[/hen-ui-link], and RNs earn an average pay of $88,020. Wyoming is also a member of the [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/nursing-compact-states/”]Nurse Licensure Compact[/hen-ui-link], making it easier for out-of-state nurses to work in the Cowboy State.[/hen-ui-text]
[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Complete List of Average NCLEX Pass Rates by State[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the national NCLEX pass rate is 92.1% for RNs in 2024, pass rates vary by state. A high NCLEX pass rate often indicates that the state’s nursing programs provide a strong preparation for RNs. [hen-ui-link href=”/resources/what-is-accreditation/”]Nursing accreditation agencies[/hen-ui-link] and regulatory bodies use pass rates as a key performance measurement.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table lists each state’s NCLEX-RN pass rate and average RN salary. Pass rates not only vary by state, but also by nursing programs within a state. Several factors contribute to salary differences across states, including projected demand, cost of living, and employment settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-sm”]Sources: [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/2024_NCLEXExamStats_Final.pdf” target=”_blank”]NCSBN[/hen-ui-link], BLS[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”py-4 my-0 text-center border-b md:pb-8 md:border-none”]Related Pages[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-article-row variant=”3-col” ids=”34116,34440,37456″][/hen-ui-article-row]