For our 2024 rankings of prelicensure BSN 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 bachelor’s 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 prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.
#1: Salisbury University
92.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, Maryland 21801
https://www.salisbury.edu92.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 88 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#2: University of Maryland
89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate620 West Lexington Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
https://www.umaryland.edu89.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 260 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#3: Towson University
87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate8000 York Road
Towson, Maryland 21252
https://www.towson.edu87.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 168 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#4: Stevenson University
85.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1525 Greenspring Valley Road
Stevenson, Maryland 21153
https://www.stevenson.edu85.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 83 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#5: Notre Dame of Maryland University
83.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate4701 North Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
https://www.ndm.edu83.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 31 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014-15 through 2020-21
#6: Hood College
80.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate401 Rosemont Avenue
Frederick, Maryland 21701
https://www.hood.edu80.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017-18 through 2020-21
#7: Coppin State University
75.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate2500 West North Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21216
https://www.coppin.edu75.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 67 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#8: Bowie State University
59.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate14000 Jericho Park Road
Bowie, Maryland 20715
https://www.bowiestate.edu59.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 63 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#9: Washington Adventist University
54.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate7600 Flower Avenue
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
https://www.wau.edu54.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 47 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#10: Morgan State University
47.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1700 East Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, Maryland 21251
https://www.morgan.edu47.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21