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 Virginia 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 Virginia’s LPN programs accordingly.
#1: Virginia Beach School of Practical Nursing
2925 North Landing Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
https://techcenter.vbschools.com/our_school/programs/licensed_practical_nursing
99.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#2: Danville Community College
1008 South Main Street
Danville, VA 24541
https://www.danville.edu
96.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Associate of Applied Science in Health Science: Practical Nursing Specialization
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#3: Lord Fairfax Community College
173 Skirmisher Lane
Middletown, VA 22645
https://www.lfcc.edu
96.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 21 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#4: Valley Career & Technical Center
49 Hornet Road
Fishersville, VA 22939
https://www.augusta.k12.va.us/valleyvts
95.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#5: Southside Virginia Community College - South Boston
820 Bruce Street
South Boston, VA 24592
http://www.southside.edu
95.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#6: Bryant & Stratton College - Richmond
8141 Hull Street Road
North Chesterfield, VA 23235
https://www.bryantstratton.edu
95.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2020
#7: Henrico County / St. Mary's Hospital School of Practical Nursing
7850 Carousel Lane
Henrico, VA 23294
https://www.henricocte.com/career-classes/adult-education/lpn
94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#8: Eastern Shore Community College
29300 Lankford Highway
Melfa, VA 23410
https://www.es.vccs.edu
93.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#9: Chesapeake Career Center
1617 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA 23322
https://www.cpschools.com/ccc
92.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#10: Page County Technical Center
40 Eagle Way
Luray, VA 22835
https://www.pagecounty.k12.va.us/o/pctc
92.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 8 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#11: Eastern Virginia Career College
10304 Spotsylvania Avenue, Suite 400
Fredericksburg, VA 22408
https://www.evcc.edu
91.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#12: Massanutten Technical Center
325 Pleasant Valley Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
https://www.mtcva.com
90.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#13: Rappahannock Community College
12745 College Drive
Glenns, VA 23149
https://www.rappahannock.edu
90.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 23 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#14: ECPI University - Roanoke
5234 Airport Road NW, Suite 200
Roanoke, VA 24012
https://www.ecpi.edu
90.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#15: Virginia Western Community College
3094 Colonial Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
https://www.virginiawestern.edu
89.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 18 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#16: Smyth Career & Technology Center
147 Fox Valley Road
Marion, VA 24354
https://sctc.scsb.org
89.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#17: Prince William County School of Practical Nursing
8909 Euclid Avenue
Manassas, VA 20111
https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/practical_nursing
89.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 20 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#18: Riverside College of Health Careers
316 Main Street
Newport News, VA 23601
https://www.pwcs.edu/academics___programs/practical_nursing
89.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 39 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#19: Southside Virginia Community College - Alberta
109 Campus Drive
Alberta, VA 23821
http://www.southside.edu
89.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 30 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#20: Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
1000 Dabney Drive
Clifton Forge, VA 24422
https://www.dslcc.edu
88.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#21: ECPI University - Northern Virginia
10021 Balls Ford Road, Suite 100
Manassas, VA 20109
https://www.ecpi.edu
88.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 43 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2020
#22: Buchanan County Career, Technology & Higher Learning Center
1124 Almarine Drive
Grundy, VA 24614
https://www.bccthlc.bcpsk12.com
88.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 13 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#23: Mountain Empire Community College
3441 Mountain Empire Road
Big Stone Gap, VA 24219
https://www.mecc.edu
87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 27 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#24: Central School of Practical Nursing
1330 North Military Highway
Norfolk, VA 23502
https://www.npsk12.com/page/1411
87.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 13 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#25: Bedford County School of Practical Nursing
600 Edmund Street
Bedford, VA 24523
https://bedfordghsa.sharpschool.net/our_programs/practical_nursing_i___i_i
86.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#26: Fortis College - Norfolk
6300 Center Drive, Suite 100
Norfolk, VA 23502
https://www.fortis.edu
86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#27: Centra College
905 Lakeside Drive, Suite A
Lynchburg, VA 24501
https://www.centrahealth.com/college
85.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 25 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#28: New River Community College
5251 College Drive
Dublin, VA 24084
https://www.nr.edu
85.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#29: Fortis College - Richmond
2000 Westmoreland Street, Suite A
Richmond, VA 23230
https://www.fortis.edu
85.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#30: Global Health Institute
30 South Quaker Lane, Suite 220
Alexandria, VA 22314
https://www.global.edu
85.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Practical Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#31: Germanna Community College
2130 Germanna Highway
Locust Grove, VA 22508
https://www.germanna.edu
85.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#32: Standard Healthcare Services College of Nursing
7704 Leesburg Pike, Suite 1000
Falls Church, VA 22043
https://www.standardcollege.edu
85.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 96 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#33: ECPI University - Newport News
1001 Omni Boulevard, Suite 200
Newport News, VA 23606
https://www.ecpi.edu
84.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 96 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#34: Lee County Career & Technical Center
181 Vo Tech Drive
Ben Hur, VA 24218
https://www.sites.google.com/leecoschools.com/lcctc
84.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 12 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#35: Loudoun County School of Practical Nursing
715 Childrens Center Road SW
Leesburg, VA 20175
https://www.lcps.org/adulted
83.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#36: ECPI University - Virginia Beach
5501 Greenwich Road, Suite 100
Virginia Beach, VA 23462
https://www.ecpi.edu
82.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 145 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#37: Ridgeview Practical Nursing Program
310 Wolfpack Way
Clintwood, VA 24228
http://rvhs.dcps.k12.va.us/teacher_pages/career___technical/kendra_mullins
82.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2016 through 2020
#38: Ultimate Health School
7839 Ashton Avenue
Manassas, VA 20109
https://www.ultimatehealthschool.com
82.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 45 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#39: Washington County Career & Technical Education Center
255 Stanley Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
https://wcctec.wcs.k12.va.us
82.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 11 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#40: J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
700 East Jackson Street
Richmond, VA 23219
https://www.reynolds.edu
82.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 18 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2019
#41: Wytheville Community College
1000 East Main Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
https://www.wcc.vccs.edu
82.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 27 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#42: Russell County Career & Technology Center
304 Career Tech Drive
Lebanon, VA 24266
https://rcctc.russell.k12.va.us
81.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#43: Southwest Virginia Community College
724 Community College Road
Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
https://www.sw.edu
81.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#44: America School of Nursing & Allied Health
14910 Jefferson Davis Highway
Woodbridge, VA 22191
https://www.asnahonline.com
81.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 22 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2020
#45: Patrick & Henry Community College
645 Patriot Avenue
Martinsville, VA 24112
https://www.patrickhenry.edu
81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#46: Giles County Technology Center
1827 Wenonah Avenue
Pearisburg, VA 24134
http://gctc.gilesk12.org
81.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#47: Fairfax County School of Practical Nursing
6815 Edsall Road
Springfield, VA 22151
https://www.fcps.edu/academics/high-school-academics-9-12/career-and-technical-education-cte/practical-nursing
80.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#48: Chesterfield Career & Technical Center
10101 Courthouse Road
North Chesterfield, VA 23832
https://www.thetechcenter.info
80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#49: ECPI University - Richmond
2809 Emerywood Parkway, Suite 400
Richmond, VA 23294
https://www.ecpi.edu
76.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#50: Piedmont Virginia Community College
501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
https://www.pvcc.edu
75.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 17 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#51: Petersburg City Public Schools
3101 Johnson Road
Petersburg, VA 23805
https://www.petersburg.k12.va.us/domain/1107
74.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 6 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#52: Chester Career College
751 West Hundred Road
Chester, VA 23836
https://www.chestercareercollege.edu
72.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#53: Virginia Highlands Community College
100 VHCC Drive
Abingdon, VA 24210
https://www.vhcc.edu
71.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2020
#54: Paul D. Camp Community College
100 North College Drive
Franklin, VA 23851
https://www.pdc.edu
69.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 14 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2020
#55: Medical Learning Center
2720 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 400
Fairfax, VA 22031
http://www.medicallearningcenterva.com
68.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 9 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011 through 2020
#56: Medical Solutions Academy
306 Poplar Street
Danville, VA 24541
https://www.medicalsolutionsacademy.org
40.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Certificate in Practical Nursing
Average of 5 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2020 through 2020