Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow seven percent over the next decade, faster than the overall job market. Many aspiring RNs choose to enroll in an associate degree program so that they can enter the workforce quickly. An ADN curriculum is less time-consuming than a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree, and it adequately prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and subsequent employment.
For students who are new to the nursing sector, ADN programs require approximately two years of fulltime study. Some of North Carolina’s nursing schools offer an evening or weekend option, allowing students to balance education, work, and family responsibilities. Many colleges also offer a one-year LPN-to-ADN bridge program. This pathway enables a licensed practical nurse with an unencumbered license to become a registered nurse through an accelerated and streamlined course of study.
North Carolina’s nurses can expect strong employment prospects. The state employs almost 100,000 RNs at an average annual salary of $66,440, according to recent data (May 2019) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Major healthcare providers throughout the state have frequent job openings for registered nurses, including Atrium Health, WakeMed Health and Hospitals, and UNC Health.
To help aspiring nurses evaluate their options, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac has compiled an extensive database of student performance on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. We analyzed this data over a lengthy period of time, typically the past decade, to calculate each program’s NCLEX pass rate among first-time test-takers. We then used this metric to rank North Carolina’s ADN programs, from the strongest NCLEX-RN performance (Cape Fear Community College) to the weakest (Region A Nursing Consortium). You can find the detailed results of our analysis below.
#1: Cape Fear Community College
98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate411 North Front Street
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
https://www.cfcc.edu98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#2: College of The Albemarle
97.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate1208 North Road Street
Elizabeth City, North Carolina 27906
https://www.albemarle.edu97.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#3: Wake Technical Community College
96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate9101 Fayetteville Road
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
https://www.waketech.edu96.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 124 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#4: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute
95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate2855 Hickory Boulevard
Hudson, North Carolina 28638
https://www.cccti.edu95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#5: Mitchell Community College
95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate500 West Broad Street
Statesville, North Carolina 28677
https://www.mitchellcc.edu95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#6: Forsyth Technical Community College
95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate2100 Silas Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103
https://www.forsythtech.edu95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 109 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#7: Gaston College
95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate201 US Highway 321 South
Dallas, North Carolina 28034
https://www.gaston.edu95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 67 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#8: Carolinas College of Health Sciences
95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate2110 Water Ridge Parkway
Charlotte, North Carolina 28217
https://www.atriumhealth.org/education/carolinas-college-of-health-sciences95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 115 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#9: Central Piedmont Community College
94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1201 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina 28204
https://www.cpcc.edu94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 71 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#10: Johnston Community College
94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate245 College Road
Smithfield, North Carolina 27577
https://www.johnstoncc.edu94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#11: Brunswick Community College
94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate50 College Road
Bolivia, North Carolina 28422
https://www.brunswickcc.edu94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#12: Stanly Community College
94.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate141 College Drive
Albemarle, North Carolina 28001
https://www.stanly.edu94.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 33 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#13: Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate401 Medical Park Drive
Concord, North Carolina 28025
https://www.atriumhealth.org/education/cabarrus-college-of-health-sciences94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 71 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#14: Robeson Community College
94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate5160 Fayetteville Road
Lumberton, North Carolina 28360
https://www.robeson.edu94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 22 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#15: Randolph Community College
93.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate629 Industrial Park Avenue
Asheboro, North Carolina 27205
https://www.randolph.edu93.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 21 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#16: Sandhills Community College
93.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate3395 Airport Road
Pinehurst, North Carolina 28374
https://www.sandhills.edu93.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 56 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#17: Carteret Community College
92.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate3505 Arendell Street
Morehead City, North Carolina 28557
https://www.carteret.edu92.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 18 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#18: Western Piedmont Community College
92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate1001 Burkemont Avenue
Morganton, North Carolina 28655
https://www.wpcc.edu92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#19: Sampson Community College
92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1801 Sunset Avenue
Clinton, North Carolina 28329
https://www.sampsoncc.edu92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#20: Wayne Community College
92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate3000 Wayne Memorial Drive
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27534
https://www.waynecc.edu92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#21: Lenoir Community College
91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate231 Highway 58 South
Kinston, North Carolina 28502
https://www.lenoircc.edu91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#22: Surry Community College
91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate630 South Main Street
Dobson, North Carolina 27017
https://www.surry.edu91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 42 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#23: Richmond Community College
90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1042 West Hamlet Avenue
Hamlet, North Carolina 28345
https://www.richmondcc.edu90.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 32 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#24: Gardner-Webb University
90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate110 South Main Street
Boiling Springs, North Carolina 28017
https://www.gardner-webb.edu90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#25: Foothills Nursing Consortium
90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate134 Maple Street
Rutherfordton, North Carolina 28139
https://www.isothermal.edu/fnc90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 57 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#26: Alamance Community College
89.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate1247 Jimmie Kerr Road
Graham, North Carolina 27253
https://www.alamancecc.edu89.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 38 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#27: South Piedmont Community College
89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate680 US Highway 74 West
Polkton, North Carolina 28135
https://www.spcc.edu89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#28: Wilkes Community College
89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate1328 South Collegiate Drive
Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697
https://www.wilkescc.edu89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 24 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#29: Craven Community College
89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate800 College Court
New Bern, North Carolina 28562
https://www.cravencc.edu89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 48 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#30: James Sprunt Community College
88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate133 James Sprunt Drive
Kenansville, North Carolina 28349
https://www.jamessprunt.edu88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#31: ECPI University - Charlotte
88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate4800 Airport Center Parkway
Charlotte, North Carolina 28208
https://www.ecpi.edu88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 36 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2021
#32: Pitt Community College
88.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1986 Pitt Tech Road
Winterville, North Carolina 28590
https://www.pittcc.edu88.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 90 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#33: Coastal Carolina Community College
88.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate444 Western Boulevard
Jacksonville, North Carolina 28546
https://www.coastalcarolina.edu88.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#34: Catawba Valley Community College
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate2550 US Highway 70 SE
Hickory, North Carolina 28602
https://www.cvcc.edu88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 43 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#35: Blue Ridge Community College
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate805 Sixth Avenue West, Third Floor
Hendersonville, North Carolina 28739
https://www.blueridge.edu88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#36: Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate340 Victoria Road
Asheville, North Carolina 28801
https://www.abtech.edu88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 88 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#37: Mayland Community College
87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate200 Mayland Drive
Spruce Pine, North Carolina 28777
https://www.mayland.edu87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 24 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#38: Bladen Community College
87.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate7418 Highway 41 West
Dublin, North Carolina 28332
https://www.bladencc.edu87.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 24 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#39: Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
86.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate399 Biotechnology Lane
Kannapolis, North Carolina 28081
https://www.rccc.edu86.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 53 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#40: Beaufort County Community College
86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate5337 US Highway 264 East
Washington, North Carolina 27889
https://www.beaufortccc.edu86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 40 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#41: Davidson-Davie Community College
86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate297 DCC Road
Thomasville, North Carolina 27360
https://www.davidsondavie.edu86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#42: Wilson Community College
85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate902 Herring Avenue
Wilson, North Carolina 27893
https://www.wilsoncc.edu85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#43: Fayetteville Technical Community College
85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate2201 Hull Road
Fayetteville, North Carolina 28303
https://www.faytechcc.edu85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#44: Vance-Granville Community College
85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate200 Community College Road
Henderson, North Carolina 27536
https://www.vgcc.edu85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 43 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#45: Edgecombe Community College
85.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate225 Tarboro Street
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27801
https://www.edgecombe.edu85.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 31 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#46: Guilford Technical Community College
83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate601 High Point Road
Jamestown, North Carolina 27282
https://www.gtcc.edu83.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 86 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#47: Piedmont Community College
83.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1715 College Drive
Roxboro, North Carolina 27573
https://www.piedmontcc.edu83.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 27 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#48: Southeastern Community College
83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate4564 Chadbourn Highway
Whiteville, North Carolina 28472
https://www.sccnc.edu83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#49: Central Carolina Community College
83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate1105 Kelly Drive
Sanford, North Carolina 27330
https://www.cccc.edu83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#50: Rockingham Community College
83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate215 Wrenn Memorial Road
Wentworth, North Carolina 27375
https://www.rockinghamcc.edu83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#51: Durham Technical Community College
83.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1637 Lawson Street
Durham, North Carolina 27703
https://www.durhamtech.edu83.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 56 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#52: Southwestern Community College
82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate447 College Drive
Sylva, North Carolina 28779
https://www.southwesterncc.edu82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 27 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#53: Nash Community College
81.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate522 North Old Carriage Road
Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804
https://www.nashcc.edu81.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#54: Roanoke-Chowan Community College
80.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate109 Community College Road
Ahoskie, North Carolina 27910
https://www.roanokechowan.edu80.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#55: Halifax Community College
77.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate100 College Drive
Weldon, North Carolina 27890
http://www.halifaxcc.edu77.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#56: Region A Nursing Consortium
74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate185 Freedlander Drive
Clyde, North Carolina 28721
https://www.haywood.edu74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 46 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021