2024 Rankings: The Best Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs in Maryland

For our 2024 rankings of ADN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of associate degree programs.

We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-RN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Maryland Board of Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Maryland’s ADN programs accordingly.

  1. #1: Anne Arundel Community College
    94.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    101 College Parkway
    Arnold, Maryland 21012
    https://www.aacc.edu

    94.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 119 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  2. #2: Cecil College
    93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One Seahawk Drive
    North East, Maryland 21901
    https://www.cecil.edu

    93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 45 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  3. #3: Hagerstown Community College
    93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    11400 Robinwood Drive
    Hagerstown, Maryland 21742
    http://www.hagerstowncc.edu

    93.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 73 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  4. #4: Community College of Baltimore County
    89.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    7201 Rossville Boulevard
    Baltimore, Maryland 21237
    https://www.ccbcmd.edu

    89.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 237 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  5. #5: Frederick Community College
    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    7932 Opossumtown Pike
    Frederick, Maryland 21702
    https://www.frederick.edu

    89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 70 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  6. #6: Harford Community College
    88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    401 Thomas Run Road
    Bel Air, Maryland 21015
    https://www.harford.edu

    88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 131 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  7. #7: Allegany College of Maryland
    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    12401 Willowbrook Road SE
    Cumberland, Maryland 21502
    https://www.allegany.edu

    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 87 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  8. #8: College of Southern Maryland
    88.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    8730 Mitchell Road
    La Plata, Maryland 20646
    https://www.csmd.edu

    88.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 88 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  9. #9: Carroll Community College
    86.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1601 Washington Road
    Westminster, Maryland 21157
    https://www.carrollcc.edu

    86.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 75 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  10. #10: Chesapeake College
    86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1000 College Circle
    Wye Mills, Maryland 21679
    https://www.chesapeake.edu

    86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 43 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  11. #11: Montgomery College
    85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    7600 Takoma Avenue
    Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
    https://www.montgomerycollege.edu

    85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 143 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  12. #12: Howard Community College
    85.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    10901 Little Patuxent Parkway
    Columbia, Maryland 21044
    https://www.howardcc.edu

    85.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 152 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  13. #13: Wor-Wic Community College
    81.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    32000 Campus Drive
    Salisbury, Maryland 21804
    https://www.worwic.edu

    81.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 68 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  14. #14: Baltimore City Community College
    77.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
    Baltimore, Maryland 21215
    https://www.bccc.edu

    77.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 59 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  15. #15: Prince George's Community College
    70.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    301 Largo Road
    Largo, Maryland 20774
    https://www.pgcc.edu

    70.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Associate Degree in Nursing
    Average of 137 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21