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 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-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 New York’s LPN programs accordingly.
#1: Niagara County Community College
98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate3111 Saunders Settlement Road
Sanborn, New York 14132
https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu98.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#2: Orleans-Niagara BOCES - Niagara Falls
96.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate606 Sixth Street
Niagara Falls, New York 14301
https://www.onboces.org96.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 18 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#3: AMG School of Nursing
95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate110 Bridge Street
Brooklyn, New York 11201
https://www.amg.edu95.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 59 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#4: Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Belmont
95.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate5536 County Route 48
Belmont, New York 14813
https://www.caboces.org95.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#5: Maria College
95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate700 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, New York 12208
https://www.mariacollege.edu95.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#6: Marion S. Whelan School of Practical Nursing
93.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate196 North Street
Geneva, New York 14456
https://www.mswspn.com93.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#7: Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing
92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate1300 Massachusetts Avenue
Troy, New York 12180
https://www.sphp.com/careers/schools-of-nursing/samaritan-hospital-school-of-nur…92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 13 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#8: Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate1879 West Genesee Street Road
Auburn, New York 13021
https://www.cayboces.org91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#9: Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES - Olean
91.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate1825 Windfall Road
Olean, New York 14760
https://www.caboces.org91.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#10: Monroe College
90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate2501 Jerome Avenue
Bronx, New York 10468
https://www.monroecollege.edu90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 41 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#11: LaGuardia Community College
88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, New York 11101
https://www.laguardia.edu88.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#12: North Country Community College - Saranac Lake
86.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate23 Santanoni Avenue
Saranac Lake, New York 12983
https://www.nccc.edu86.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#13: Suffolk County Community College - Riverhead
86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate121 Speonk-Riverhead Road
Riverhead, New York 11901
https://www.sunysuffolk.edu86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 33 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#14: Curtis High School
86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10301
https://www.curtishs.org86.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary)
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#15: Champlain Valley Educational Services
86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1585 Military Turnpike
Plattsburgh, New York 12901
https://www.cves.org86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 21 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#16: Erie 1 BOCES - West Seneca
85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate705 Potter Road
West Seneca, New York 14224
https://www.e1b.org85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 85 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#17: Hunter Business School
85.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate3601 Hempstead Turnpike
Levittown, New York 11756
https://www.hunterbusinessschool.edu85.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 37 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021
#18: Eastern Suffolk BOCES
84.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate100 Second Avenue
Brentwood, New York 11717
https://www.esboces.org84.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult)
Average of 153 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#19: Broome-Tioga BOCES
84.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate435 Glenwood Road
Binghamton, New York 13905
https://www.btboces.org84.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#20: Southern Westchester BOCES
84.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate450 Mamaroneck Avenue, Second Floor
Harrison, New York 10528
https://www.swboces.org84.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 66 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#21: North Country Community College - Ticonderoga
83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate11 Hawkeye Trail
Ticonderoga, New York 12883
https://www.nccc.edu83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#22: Jefferson-Lewis BOCES
82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate20104 State Route 3
Watertown, New York 13601
https://www.boces.com82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 54 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#23: Erie 1 BOCES - Cheektowaga
82.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1526 Walden Avenue, Suite 200
Cheektowaga, New York 14225
https://www.e1b.org82.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 89 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#24: Hostos Community College
82.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate475 Grand Concourse, Suite 307
Bronx, New York 10451
https://www.hostos.cuny.edu82.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#25: Dutchess BOCES
80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rateFive BOCES Road
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
https://www.dcboces.org80.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult)
Average of 63 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#26: Otsego-Northern Catskills BOCES
80.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate31 Center Street, Third Floor
Oneonta, New York 13820
https://www.oncboces.org80.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 29 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#27: Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES
80.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate1051 Dix Avenue
Hudson Falls, New York 12839
https://www.wswheboces.org80.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#28: Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation
80.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate179 County Route 64
Mexico, New York 13114
https://www.citiboces.org80.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#29: Transitions Career Institute
80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate30-50 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 400
Flushing, New York 11354
https://www.tcilpn.com80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 39 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#30: Western Suffolk BOCES
79.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate152 Laurel Hill Road
Northport, New York 11768
https://www.wsboces.org79.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#31: Rockland BOCES
79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate65 Parrott Road
West Nyack, New York 10994
https://www.rocklandboces.org79.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#32: North Country Community College - Malone
79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate75 William Street
Malone, New York 12953
https://www.nccc.edu79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#33: Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES
79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate6678 County Road 32
Norwich, New York 13815
https://www.dcmoboces.com79.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#34: Nassau County Vocational Education & Extension Board
79.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate30 East Cherry Street
Hicksville, New York 11801
https://www.veeb.org79.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 148 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#35: Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Painted Post
78.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate9579 Vocational Drive
Painted Post, New York 14870
https://www.gstboces.org78.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#36: Orange-Ulster BOCES
78.1% first-time NCLEX pass rateFour Harriman Drive
Goshen, New York 10924
https://www.ouboces.org78.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#37: Genesee Valley BOCES - Mount Morris
78.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate27 Lackawanna Avenue
Mount Morris, New York 14510
https://www.gvboces.org78.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 15 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2019
#38: SUNY Canton
77.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate34 Cornell Drive
Canton, New York 13617
https://www.canton.edu77.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#39: Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Elmira
76.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate459 Philo Road
Elmira, New York 14903
https://www.gstboces.org76.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#40: Clara Barton High School for Health Professions
75.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate901 Classon Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225
https://www.clarabartonhs.org75.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary)
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#41: Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Ashville
74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate2615 North Maple Avenue
Ashville, New York 14710
https://www.e2ccb.org74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#42: Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES
74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate110 Elwood Davis Road
Liverpool, New York 13088
https://www.ocmboces.org74.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 112 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#43: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester
73.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate435 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14620
https://www.wflboces.org73.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Daytime)
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#44: Ulster BOCES
73.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate727 Grant Avenue
Lake Katrine, New York 12449
https://www.ulsterboces.org73.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 49 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2020
#45: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Verona
73.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate4937 Spring Road
Verona, New York 13478
https://www.moboces.org73.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#46: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Newark
72.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate121 Drumlin Court
Newark, New York 14513
https://www.wflboces.org72.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 41 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#47: Curtis High School
72.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate105 Hamilton Avenue
Staten Island, New York 10301
https://www.curtishs.org72.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult)
Average of 18 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#48: Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Angola
71.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate8685 Erie Road
Angola, New York 14006
https://www.e2ccb.org71.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2019
#49: Genesee Valley BOCES - Batavia
71.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate8250 State Street Road
Batavia, New York 14020
https://www.gvboces.org71.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 43 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#50: Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES
71.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate77 East North Street
Ilion, New York 13357
https://www.herkimer-boces.org71.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 47 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#51: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Rome
70.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate266 West Dominick Street
Rome, New York 13440
https://www.moboces.org70.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#52: Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing
70.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate470 Skyview Centre Parkway
Rochester, New York 14622
https://www.rochesterregional.org/medical-education/training-programs/igh-school…70.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 87 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#53: Eastern Suffolk BOCES
70.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate100 Second Avenue
Brentwood, New York 11717
https://www.esboces.org70.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary Extended)
Average of 24 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#54: Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Cassadaga
69.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate8115 Glasgow Road
Cassadaga, New York 14718
https://www.e2ccb.org69.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#55: 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
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#56: Genesee Valley BOCES - Rochester
68.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate160 Wallace Way, Building Nine, Suite 209
Rochester, New York 14624
https://www.gvboces.org68.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#57: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Utica
68.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate508 Second Street
Utica, New York 13501
https://www.moboces.org68.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#58: Capital Region BOCES
67.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate900 Watervliet-Shaker Road
Albany, New York 12205
https://www.capitalregionboces.org67.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 118 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#59: Mildred Elley - Albany
67.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate855 Central Avenue
Albany, New York 12206
https://www.mildred-elley.edu67.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#60: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester
66.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate435 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, New York 14620
https://www.wflboces.org66.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Evening)
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#61: Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES - Buffalo
61.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate175 Jefferson Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14210
https://www.e2ccb.org61.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#62: Trocaire College
60.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate360 Choate Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14220
https://www.trocaire.edu60.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021#63: Dutchess BOCES
58.8% first-time NCLEX pass rateFive BOCES Road
Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
https://www.dcboces.org58.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary Extended)
Average of 2 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2020
#64: Mildred Elley - New York City
57.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate25 Broadway, 16th Floor
New York, New York 10004
https://www.mildred-elley.edu57.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 75 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#65: Rochester Educational Opportunity Center
52.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate161 Chestnut Street
Rochester, New York 14604
https://www.reoc.brockport.edu52.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 35 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021