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 New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions, as well as by 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 New York’s ADN programs accordingly.
#1: Cayuga Community College
98.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate197 Franklin Street
Auburn, New York 13021
https://www.cayuga-cc.edu98.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 42 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#2: Jefferson Community College
95.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate1220 Coffeen Street
Watertown, New York 13601
https://www.sunyjefferson.edu95.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#3: Clinton Community College
94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate136 Clinton Point Drive
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
https://www.clinton.edu94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#4: SUNY Erie - City
94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate121 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
https://www.ecc.edu94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 46 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#5: St. Peter's Hospital College of Nursing
94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate714 New Scotland Avenue, Room 111
Albany, New York 12208
https://www.sphp.com/careers/schools-of-nursing/st-peters-hospital-college-of-nu…94.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 51 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#6: Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing
93.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1300 Massachusetts Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
https://www.sphp.com/careers/schools-of-nursing/samaritan-hospital-school-of-nur…93.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 53 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#7: SUNY Orange - Newburgh
93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne Washington Center
Newburgh, New York 12550
https://www.sunyorange.edu93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 38 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2021
#8: Westchester Community College
92.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, New York 10595
https://www.sunywcc.edu92.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 46 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#9: Rockland Community College
92.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate145 College Road
Suffern, New York 10901
https://www.sunyrockland.edu92.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 84 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#10: Queensborough Community College
92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate222-05 56th Avenue
Bayside, New York 11364
https://www.qcc.cuny.edu92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 97 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#11: SUNY Orange - Middletown
92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate115 South Street
Middletown, New York 10940
https://www.sunyorange.edu92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing (Evening)
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#12: Onondaga Community College
92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate4585 West Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, New York 13215
https://www.sunyocc.edu92.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#13: Hudson Valley Community College
92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate80 Vandenburgh Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
https://www.hvcc.edu92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 82 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#14: St. Joseph's College of Nursing
91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate206 Prospect Avenue
Syracuse, New York 13203
https://www.sjhcon.edu91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 135 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#15: Monroe Community College
91.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1000 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14623
https://www.monroecc.edu91.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 120 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#16: Tompkins Cortland Community College
91.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate170 North Street
Dryden, New York 13053
https://www.tompkinscortland.edu91.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 59 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#17: LaGuardia Community College
90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, New York 11101
https://www.laguardia.edu90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 93 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#18: Maria College
90.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate700 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208
https://www.mariacollege.edu90.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 107 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#19: Genesee Community College
90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne College Road
Batavia, New York 14020
https://www.genesee.edu90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 122 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#20: Fulton-Montgomery Community College
90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate2805 State Highway 67
Johnstown, New York 12095
https://www.fmcc.edu90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#21: SUNY Erie - North
89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate6205 Main Street
Williamsville, New York 14221
https://www.ecc.edu89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 64 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#22: SUNY Orange - Middletown
89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate115 South Street
Middletown, New York 10940
https://www.sunyorange.edu89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing (Daytime)
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#23: Jamestown Community College
89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate525 Falconer Street
Jamestown, New York 14701
https://www.sunyjcc.edu89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 95 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#24: SUNY Adirondack
89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate640 Bay Road
Queensbury, New York 12804
https://www.sunyacc.edu89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 90 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#25: St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate2215 Genesee Street
Utica, New York 13501
https://www.secon.edu88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 77 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#26: Pomeroy College of Nursing
88.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate736 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, New York 13210
https://www.crouse.org/nursing88.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 104 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#27: New York City College of Technology
88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate300 Jay Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
https://www.citytech.cuny.edu88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 90 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#28: Niagara County Community College
88.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate3111 Saunders Settlement Road
Sanborn, New York 14132
https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu88.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 95 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#29: Dutchess Community College
86.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate53 Pendell Road
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
https://www.sunydutchess.edu86.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 64 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#30: Belanger School of Nursing
86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate650 McClellan Street
Schenectady, New York 12304
https://www.ellismedicine.org/school-of-nursing86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate of Science in Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#31: Columbia-Greene Community College
85.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate4400 Route 23
Hudson, New York 12534
https://www.sunycgcc.edu85.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 53 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#32: Arnot Ogden Medical Center School of Nursing
85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate600 Roe Avenue
Elmira, New York 14905
https://www.arnothealthson.org85.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#33: Nassau Community College
85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne Education Drive
Garden City, New York 11530
https://www.ncc.edu85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 134 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#34: Finger Lakes Community College
85.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate3325 Marvin Sands Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14424
https://www.flcc.edu85.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 63 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#35: SUNY Ulster
84.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge, New York 12484
https://www.sunyulster.edu84.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 39 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#36: Suffolk County Community College - Selden
83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate533 College Road
Selden, New York 11784
https://www.sunysuffolk.edu83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 146 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#37: Cochran School of Nursing
83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate967 North Broadway
Yonkers, New York 10701
https://www.cochranschoolofnursing.us83.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 41 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#38: College of Staten Island
83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate2800 Victory Boulevard
Staten Island, New York 10314
https://www.csi.cuny.edu83.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 110 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#39: Bronx Community College
82.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate2155 University Avenue
Bronx, New York 10453
https://www.bcc.cuny.edu82.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#40: Borough of Manhattan Community College
82.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate199 Chambers Street
New York, New York 10007
https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu82.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 139 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#41: SUNY Delhi
82.1% first-time NCLEX pass rateTwo Main Street
Delhi, New York 13753
https://www.delhi.edu82.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Nursing Dual Degree
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2021
#42: SUNY Morrisville
81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate80 Eaton Street
Morrisville, New York 13408
https://www.morrisville.edu81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 72 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#43: Montefiore School of Nursing
81.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate53 Valentine Street
Mount Vernon, New York 10550
https://www.montefiorehealthsystem.org/schoolofnursing81.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 54 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#44: Suffolk County Community College - Brentwood
81.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate1001 Crooked Hill Road
Brentwood, New York 11717
https://www.sunysuffolk.edu81.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 102 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#45: Hostos Community College
81.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate475 Grand Concourse, Suite 307
Bronx, New York 10451
https://www.hostos.cuny.edu81.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 48 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#46: SUNY Delhi
81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rateTwo Main Street
Delhi, New York 13753
https://www.delhi.edu81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Average of 31 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2020
#47: SUNY Corning Community College
81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rateOne Academic Drive
Corning, New York 14830
https://www.corning-cc.edu81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 65 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#48: Kingsborough Community College
79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate2001 Oriental Boulevard
Brooklyn, New York 11235
https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 123 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#49: Alfred State College
79.3% first-time NCLEX pass rateTen Upper College Drive
Alfred, New York 14802
https://www.alfredstate.edu79.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#50: Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing & Health Sciences
78.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate196 North Street
Geneva, New York 14456
https://flhcon.edu78.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 51 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#51: Excelsior University
77.5% first-time NCLEX pass rateSeven Columbia Circle
Albany, New York 12203
https://www.excelsior.edu77.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 921 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#52: Monroe College
77.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate2501 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, New York 10468
https://www.monroecollege.edu77.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Average of 38 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#53: SUNY Broome
76.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate907 Upper Front Street
Binghamton, New York 13905
https://www.sunybroome.edu76.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 75 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#54: North Country Community College - Malone
76.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate75 William Street
Malone, New York 12953
https://www.nccc.edu76.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 13 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2020 through 2021#55: Belanger School of Nursing
75.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate650 McClellan Street
Schenectady, New York 12304
https://www.ellismedicine.org/school-of-nursing75.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Dual Degree Nursing Program
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2020 through 2021
#56: North Country Community College - Saranac Lake
75.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate23 Santanoni Avenue
Saranac Lake, New York 12983
https://www.nccc.edu75.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 47 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#57: Mohawk Valley Community College
73.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1101 Sherman Drive
Utica, New York 13501
https://www.mvcc.edu73.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 65 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#58: SUNY Canton
71.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate34 Cornell Drive
Canton, New York 13617
https://www.canton.edu71.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 71 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#59: Helene Fuld College of Nursing
71.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate24 East 120th Street
New York, New York 10035
https://www.helenefuld.edu71.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 218 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#60: Trocaire College
71.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate360 Choate Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14220
https://www.trocaire.edu71.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 227 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#61: Medgar Evers College
68.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate1650 Bedford Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225
https://www.mec.cuny.edu68.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 49 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#62: Saint Paul's School of Nursing - Queens
67.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate97-77 Queens Boulevard
Rego Park, New York 11374
https://www.stpaulsschoolofnursing.edu67.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 155 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#63: SUNY Morrisville - Norwich
64.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate20 Conkey Avenue
Norwich, New York 13815
https://www.morrisville.edu64.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 44 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2021
#64: SUNY Sullivan
64.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate112 College Road
Loch Sheldrake, New York 12759
https://www.sunysullivan.edu64.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#65: North Country Community College - Ticonderoga
61.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate11 Hawkeye Trail
Ticonderoga, New York 12883
https://www.nccc.edu61.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 15 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#66: Saint Paul's School of Nursing - Staten Island
60.9% first-time NCLEX pass rateTwo Teleport Drive, Suite 203
Staten Island, New York 10311
https://www.stpaulsschoolofnursing.edu60.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 155 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#67: Swedish Institute
60.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate151 West 26th Street, Fourth Floor
New York, New York 10001
https://www.swedishinstitute.edu60.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#68: ASA College
54.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate151 Lawrence Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
https://www.asa.edu54.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate Degree in Nursing
Average of 39 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021#69: Monroe College
50.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate2501 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, New York 10468
https://www.monroecollege.edu50.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Progressive Option (PN-to-RN-to-BS) for Adult Learners: Year 2
Average of 1 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2015