For our 2024 rankings of RN diploma 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 RN diploma 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 Ohio 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 Ohio’s RN diploma programs accordingly.
#1: Trinity Health System School of Nursing
95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate4000 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 2631
Steubenville, Ohio 43952
https://www.trinityson.com95.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 32 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#2: Tri-Rivers School of Nursing
94.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate1563 Marion-Mount Gilead Road
Marion, Ohio 43302
https://www.centralohionursing.com94.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#3: Firelands Regional Medical Center School of Nursing
92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1912 Hayes Avenue
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
https://www.firelands.com/education-training/school-of-nursing92.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 34 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2012 through 2021
#4: Mid-East Career and Technology Centers
89.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate400 Richards Road
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
https://www.mideastctc.org89.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2021
#5: Sandusky Career Center
86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate4501 Venice Heights Boulevard
Sandusky, Ohio 44870
https://www.scs-k12.net/sanduskycareercenter(shs)_home.aspx86.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing: LPN-to-RN Bridge
Average of 26 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2021
#6: Knox Technical Center
82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate308 Martinsburg Road
Mount Vernon, Ohio 43050
https://www.knoxtechnicalcenter.com82.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing: LPN-to-RN Bridge
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2021
#7: Ashtabula County Technical & Career Campus
80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate1565 State Route 167
Jefferson, Ohio 44047
https://www.atech.edu80.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 7 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#8: Ohio Institute of Allied Health
71.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate6245 Old Troy Pike
Huber Heights, Ohio 45424
https://www.oiah.edu71.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 13 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2015 through 2021
#9: Collins Career Technical Center
68.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate11627 State Route 243
Chesapeake, Ohio 45619
http://www.collins-cc.edu68.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing: LPN-to-RN Bridge
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2017 through 2021
#10: Columbiana County Career & Technical Center
64.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate9364 State Route 45
Lisbon, Ohio 44432
https://www.ccctc.k12.oh.us64.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing: LPN-to-RN Bridge
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2021
#11: Richard Medical Academy
52.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate5237 Renwyck Drive
Toledo, Ohio 43615
https://www.rmalpn.com52.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2019 through 2021
#12: Athena Career Academy
50.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate5203 Airport Highway
Toledo, Ohio 43615
https://www.athenacareers.edu50.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing: LPN-to-RN Bridge
Average of 55 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2018 through 2021
#13: Acadia Career Institute
44.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate128 East Main Street
Woodville, Ohio 43469
https://www.acadiacareer.com44.9% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 10 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2014 through 2021
#14: Ohio Medical Career College
33.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate1133 South Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, Suite 110
Dayton, Ohio 45417
http://www.omcc.edu33.6% first-time NCLEX pass rate
One Plus One Diploma in Nursing
Average of 16 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2013 through 2021