For our 2024 rankings of LPN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring practical nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-PN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of practical nursing programs.
We used our database to calculate each program’s NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers. This is the standard program assessment metric reported by the Arizona State Board of Nursing and the test’s administrator, Pearson Vue. Whenever possible, we calculated this first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate over an extensive period of time, typically the past decade of student performance. We then used this metric to rank all of Arizona’s LPN programs accordingly.
#1: Scottsdale Community College
9000 East Chaparral Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
https://www.scottsdalecc.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 100.0%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 5
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#2: Eastern Arizona College
615 North Stadium Avenue
Thatcher, AZ 85552
https://www.eac.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 100.0%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 5
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#3: Northland Pioneer College
2251 East Navajo Boulevard
Holbrook, AZ 86025
https://www.npc.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 99.3%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 29
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#4: Arizona Western College
2020 South Avenue 8E
Yuma, AZ 85365
https://www.azwestern.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 98.2%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 6
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#5: Central Arizona College
8470 North Overfield Road
Coolidge, AZ 85128
https://www.centralaz.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 98.2%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 23
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#6: Cochise College
4190 West Highway 80
Douglas, AZ 85607
https://www.cochise.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 97.8%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 50
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#7: Mesa Community College
1833 West Southern Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85202
https://www.mesacc.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 96.9%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 6
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#8: Glendale Community College
6000 West Olive Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85302
https://www.gccaz.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 95.5%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 9
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#9: Phoenix College
1202 West Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85013
https://www.phoenixcollege.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 95.0%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 12
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#10: GateWay Community College
108 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
https://www.gatewaycc.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 94.0%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 145
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020; includes both the Fast Track Certificate of Completion program and the AAS program with PN exit option, as well as historical data from Maricopa Skill Center and SouthWest Skill Center
#11: Pima Community College
2202 West Anklam Road
Tucson, AZ 85709
https://www.pima.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 93.9%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 71
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020; includes both the Career Training Certificate program on the Desert Vista campus and the AAS program with PN exit option on the West campus
#12: Estrella Mountain Community College
3000 North Dysart Road
Avondale, AZ 85323
https://www.estrellamountain.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 90.4%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 9
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020
#13: Mohave Community College
1971 Jagerson Avenue
Kingman, AZ 86409
https://www.mohave.edu
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 89.7%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 28
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2011 through 2020; includes both the Practical Nursing Certificate program and the AAS program with PN exit option
#14: East Valley Institute of Technology
1601 West Main Street
Mesa, AZ 85201
https://www.evit.com
NCLEX-PN pass rate among first-time test-takers: 76.1%
Average number of LPN students graduating annually: 26
Data analyzed: Calendar years 2012 through 2020