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 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 RN diploma programs accordingly.
#1: Geisinger Lewistown Hospital School of Nursing
97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate400 Highland Avenue
Lewistown, Pennsylvania 17044
https://www.geisinger.org/geisinger-lewistown-hospital-school-of-nursing97.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#2: Washington Health System School of Nursing
94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate155 Wilson Avenue
Washington, Pennsylvania 15301
https://www.whs.org/school-of-nursing94.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 36 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#3: St. Luke's School of Nursing
93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate801 Ostrum Street
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18015
https://www.slhn.org/school-of-nursing93.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 84 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#4: Roxborough Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
91.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate5800 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19128
https://www.roxboroughmemorial.com/school-of-nursing91.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 66 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#5: Conemaugh School of Nursing
90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate1086 Franklin Street
Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15905
https://www.conemaugh.org/education/school-of-nursing90.8% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 58 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#6: Sharon Regional Medical Center School of Nursing
90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate740 East State Street
Sharon, Pennsylvania 16146
https://www.sharonregionalmedical.org/school-nursing-sharon90.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 22 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#7: Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing
88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate25 Heckel Road
Kennedy Township, Pennsylvania 15136
https://www.heritagevalley.org/pages/school-of-nursing88.1% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 19 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#8: Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences
87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate1025 Old Wyomissing Road
Reading, Pennsylvania 19611
https://www.rhsohs.com87.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 95 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#9: Citizens School of Nursing
87.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate539 Pittsburgh Mills Circle
Tarentum, Pennsylvania 15084
https://www.ahn.org/health-care-professionals/education/nursing/citizens-school87.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 74 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#10: Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing
86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate420 South Jackson Street
Pottsville, Pennsylvania 17901
https://www.lvhn.org/education/joseph-f-mccloskey-school-nursing86.2% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 28 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#11: UPMC Jameson School of Nursing
86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate2414 Wilmington Road
New Castle, Pennsylvania 16105
https://www.upmc.com/healthcare-professionals/education/schools-of-nursing/campu…86.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 29 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#12: West Penn Hospital School of Nursing
85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate4900 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15224
https://www.ahn.org/health-care-professionals/education/nursing/west-penn-hospit…85.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 44 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#13: UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing
84.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate5230 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232
https://www.upmc.com/healthcare-professionals/education/schools-of-nursing/campu…84.0% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 135 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#14: UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing
83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate221 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15238
https://www.upmc.com/healthcare-professionals/education/schools-of-nursing/campu…83.3% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 52 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21
#15: UPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing
82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate1401 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
https://www.upmc.com/healthcare-professionals/education/schools-of-nursing/campu…82.7% first-time NCLEX pass rate
Diploma in Nursing
Average of 60 students graduated per year
Data analyzed from 2011-12 through 2020-21