2024 Rankings: The Best Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania State 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 Pennsylvania’s prelicensure BSN programs accordingly.

  1. #1: Saint Francis University
    96.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    117 Evergreen Drive
    Loretto, Pennsylvania 15940
    https://www.francis.edu

    96.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 19 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  2. #2: Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
    96.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    850 Greenfield Road
    Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601
    https://www.pacollege.edu

    96.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 39 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2018-19 through 2020-21

  3. #3: Bloomsburg University
    96.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    400 East Second Street
    Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania 17815
    https://www.bloomu.edu

    96.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 81 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  4. #4: Drexel University
    95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1601 Cherry Street
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
    https://www.drexel.edu

    95.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 400 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  5. #5: Cedar Crest College
    94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    100 College Drive
    Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
    https://www.cedarcrest.edu

    94.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 84 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  6. #6: Messiah University
    94.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One University Avenue
    Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 17055
    https://www.messiah.edu

    94.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 45 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  7. #7: Waynesburg University
    94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    51 West College Street
    Waynesburg, Pennsylvania 15370
    https://www.waynesburg.edu

    94.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 50 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  8. #8: Pennsylvania State University
    94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    201 Nursing Sciences Building
    University Park, Pennsylvania 16803
    https://www.psu.edu

    94.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 230 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  9. #9: Carlow University
    94.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3333 Fifth Avenue
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    https://www.carlow.edu

    94.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 53 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  10. #10: Eastern University
    93.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1300 Eagle Road
    Saint Davids, Pennsylvania 19087
    https://www.eastern.edu

    93.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 31 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  11. #11: DeSales University
    93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2755 Station Avenue
    Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034
    https://www.desales.edu

    93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 91 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  12. #12: University of Scranton
    93.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    800 Linden Street
    Scranton, Pennsylvania 18510
    https://www.scranton.edu

    93.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 74 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  13. #13: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    93.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1011 South Drive
    Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
    https://www.iup.edu

    93.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 137 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  14. #14: University of Pennsylvania
    92.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    418 Curie Boulevard
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
    https://www.upenn.edu

    92.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 175 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  15. #15: West Chester University
    92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    930 East Lincoln Highway, Suite 100
    Exton, Pennsylvania 19341
    https://www.wcupa.edu

    92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 85 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  16. #16: Villanova University
    92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    800 Lancaster Avenue
    Villanova, Pennsylvania 19085
    https://www.villanova.edu

    92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 200 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  17. #17: Misericordia University
    91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    301 Lake Street
    Dallas, Pennsylvania 18612
    https://www.misericordia.edu

    91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 58 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  18. #18: Duquesne University
    91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    600 Forbes Avenue
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15282
    https://www.duq.edu

    91.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 215 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  19. #19: Alvernia University
    91.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    400 Saint Bernardine Street
    Reading, Pennsylvania 19607
    https://www.alvernia.edu

    91.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 48 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  20. #20: Gannon University
    91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    109 University Square
    Erie, Pennsylvania 16541
    https://www.gannon.edu

    91.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 56 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  21. #21: Temple University
    91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1316 West Ontario Street
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19140
    https://www.temple.edu

    91.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 73 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  22. #22: Neumann University
    90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One Neumann Drive
    Aston, Pennsylvania 19014
    https://www.neumann.edu

    90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 79 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  23. #23: Mansfield University
    90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    71 South Academy Street
    Mansfield, Pennsylvania 16933
    https://www.mansfield.edu

    90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 29 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  24. #24: Pennsylvania College of Technology
    90.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One College Avenue
    Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701
    https://www.pct.edu

    90.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 36 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  25. #25: Moravian University
    90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1200 Main Street
    Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
    https://www.moravian.edu

    90.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 54 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  26. #26: Edinboro University
    90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    219 Meadville Street
    Edinboro, Pennsylvania 16444
    https://www.edinboro.edu

    90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 61 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  27. #27: University of Pittsburgh
    90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    3500 Victoria Street
    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
    https://www.pitt.edu

    90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 229 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  28. #28: York College of Pennsylvania
    89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    441 Country Club Road
    York, Pennsylvania 17403
    https://www.ycp.edu

    89.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 108 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  29. #29: Robert Morris University
    88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    6001 University Boulevard
    Moon Township, Pennsylvania 15108
    https://www.rmu.edu

    88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 75 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  30. #30: Thomas Jefferson University
    88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    901 Walnut Street, Eighth Floor
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
    https://www.jefferson.edu

    88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 306 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  31. #31: Holy Family University
    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    9801 Frankford Avenue
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19114
    https://www.holyfamily.edu

    88.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 158 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  32. #32: Wilkes University
    87.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    84 West South Street
    Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18766
    https://www.wilkes.edu

    87.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 77 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  33. #33: Marywood University
    87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    2300 Adams Avenue
    Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509
    https://www.marywood.edu

    87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 26 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  34. #34: Widener University
    86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    One University Place
    Chester, Pennsylvania 19013
    https://www.widener.edu

    86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 139 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  35. #35: East Stroudsburg University
    86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    200 Prospect Street
    East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18301
    https://www.esu.edu

    86.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 33 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  36. #36: Gwynedd Mercy University
    85.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1325 Sumneytown Pike
    Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania 19437
    https://www.gmercyu.edu

    85.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 226 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2015-16 through 2020-21

  37. #37: Clarion University
    82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1801 West First Street
    Oil City, Pennsylvania 16301
    https://www.clarion.edu

    82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 44 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2017-18 through 2020-21

  38. #38: La Salle University
    81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1900 West Olney Avenue
    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141
    https://www.lasalle.edu

    81.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 134 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  39. #39: Wilson College
    79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1015 Philadelphia Avenue
    Chambersburg, Pennsylvania 17201
    https://www.wilson.edu

    79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 29 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2017-18 through 2020-21

  40. #40: Immaculata University
    76.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1145 West King Road
    Immaculata, Pennsylvania 19345
    https://www.immaculata.edu

    76.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 33 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21

  41. #41: Lincoln University
    59.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate

    1570 Baltimore Pike
    Lincoln University, Pennsylvania 19352
    https://www.lincoln.edu

    59.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
    Bachelor of Science in Nursing
    Average of 15 students graduated per year
    Data analyzed from 2014-15 through 2020-21