California NCLEX pass rates by nursing school
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for every California Board-approved pre-licensure RN program, 2020–21 to 2024–25. Latest: 2024–25 results · updated Oct 2026. Filter, sort, and click any school for its full profile.
Statewide first-time pass rate
Tester-weighted average of all California programs.
The statewide rate dipped to 85.7% in 2022–23, then rose to 94.0% after the Next Generation NCLEX launched in April 2023. A single year says less than a program’s five-year record and how it compares with the state.
| 2024–25 by type | Programs | Testers | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN (associate degree) | 94 | 6,390 | 92.1% |
| BSN (bachelor’s) | 49 | 8,910 | 89.0% |
| ELM (entry-level master’s) | 11 | 574 | 88.3% |
Programs = programs with 2024–25 first-time testers. Source: CA BRN; SEAPHE tester-weighted calculation.
Key facts
Last updated
- In 2024–25, 90.2% of 15,874 first-time NCLEX-RN testers from 154 California programs passed (SEAPHE tester-weighted calculation). Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables, retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
- By degree type in 2024–25, first-time pass rates were 92.1% for ADN, 89.0% for BSN and 88.3% for entry-level master’s (ELM) graduates. Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables, retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
- Over the five reporting years 2020–21 to 2024–25, the statewide first-time pass rate ranged from 85.7% (2022–23) to 94.0% (2023–24). Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables, retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
- 159 California pre-licensure RN programs reported first-time NCLEX-RN testers in at least one year from 2020–21 to 2024–25. Source: CA BRN NCLEX-RN pass-rate tables, retrieved Oct 7, 2026.
Every program, sortable
| vs. standard & state | 2020–25 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ventura CollegeADN · Ventura | ADN | 77 | 100.0% | 97.0% | +9.8 | ||
| Rio Hondo CollegeADN · Whittier | ADN | 65 | 100.0% | 97.5% | +9.8 | ||
| Santa Monica CollegeADN · Santa Monica | ADN | 65 | 100.0% | 94.2% | +9.8 | ||
| LA Harbor CollegeADN · Wilmington | ADN | 59 | 100.0% | 96.9% | +9.8 | ||
| Moorpark CollegeADN · Moorpark | ADN | 52 | 100.0% | 99.1% | +9.8 | ||
| Mira Costa CollegeADN · Oceanside | ADN | 46 | 100.0% | 96.1% | +9.8 | ||
| Monterey Peninsula CollegeADN · Monterey | ADN | 37 | 100.0% | 97.2% | +9.8 | ||
| Sierra CollegeADN · Rocklin | ADN | 33 | 100.0% | 99.5% | +9.8 | ||
| Xavier CollegeADN · Stockton | ADN | 30 | 100.0% | 89.7% | +9.8 | ||
| Mendocino CollegeADN · Ukiah | ADN | 27 | 100.0% | 97.5% | +9.8 | ||
| William Jessup UniversityBSN · Rocklin | BSN | 25 | 100.0% | 100.0% | +9.8 | ||
| UC IrvineELM · Irvine | ELM | 21 | 100.0% | 96.9% | +9.8 | ||
| CSU Long BeachBSN · Long Beach | BSN | 169 | 98.8% | 98.5% | +8.6 | ||
| Saddleback CollegeADN · Mission Viejo | ADN | 82 | 98.8% | 97.9% | +8.6 | ||
| Cypress CollegeADN · Cypress | ADN | 65 | 98.5% | 90.3% | +8.3 | ||
| Evergreen Valley CollegeADN · San Jose | ADN | 56 | 98.2% | 96.0% | +8.0 | ||
| Glendale Community CollegeADN · Glendale | ADN | 51 | 98.0% | 95.8% | +7.8 | ||
| Merced CollegeADN · Merced | ADN | 47 | 97.9% | 86.9% | +7.7 | ||
| University of the PacificELM · Sacramento | ELM | 41 | 97.6% | 97.4% | +7.4 | ||
| De Anza CollegeADN · Cupertino | ADN | 40 | 97.5% | 93.7% | +7.3 | ||
| Antelope Valley CollegeADN · Lancaster | ADN | 35 | 97.1% | 93.8% | +6.9 | ||
| Lemoore CollegeADN · Lemoore | ADN | 35 | 97.1% | 91.9% | +6.9 | ||
| Victor Valley CollegeADN · Victorville | ADN | 65 | 96.9% | 95.4% | +6.7 | ||
| Los Angeles Pierce CollegeADN · Woodland Hills | ADN | 31 | 96.8% | 94.7% | +6.6 | ||
| Santa Barbara City CollegeADN · Santa Barbara | ADN | 60 | 96.7% | 94.9% | +6.5 | ||
| CSU SacramentoBSN · Sacramento | BSN | 148 | 96.6% | 96.1% | +6.4 | ||
| Riverside City CollegeADN · Riverside | ADN | 175 | 96.6% | 96.7% | +6.4 | ||
| Santa Rosa Junior CollegeADN · Santa Rosa | ADN | 114 | 96.5% | 93.5% | +6.3 | ||
| California Career CollegeADN · Canoga Park | ADN | 57 | 96.5% | 88.8% | +6.3 | ||
| Shasta CollegeADN · Redding | ADN | 57 | 96.5% | 92.5% | +6.3 | ||
| University of San Diego/HahnELM · San Diego | ELM | 28 | 96.4% | 95.7% | +6.2 | ||
| Cerritos CollegeADN · Norwalk | ADN | 55 | 96.4% | 93.7% | +6.2 | ||
| Point Loma Nazarene UniversityBSN · San Diego | BSN | 54 | 96.3% | 89.8% | +6.1 | ||
| Vanguard UniversityBSN · Costa Mesa | BSN | 26 | 96.2% | 83.4% | +6.0 | ||
| CSU Los AngelesBSN · Los Angeles | BSN | 103 | 96.1% | 95.7% | +5.9 | ||
| Grossmont CollegeADN · El Cajon | ADN | 76 | 96.0% | 97.2% | +5.8 | ||
| Sacramento City CollegeADN · Sacramento | ADN | 50 | 96.0% | 96.4% | +5.8 | ||
| Pacific CollegeADN · Costa Mesa | ADN | 48 | 95.8% | 82.8% | +5.6 | ||
| Gavilan CollegeADN · Gilroy | ADN | 24 | 95.8% | 96.2% | +5.6 | ||
| Porterville CollegeADN · Porterville | ADN | 47 | 95.7% | 88.4% | +5.5 | ||
| Sonoma State UniversityBSN · Rohnert Park | BSN | 23 | 95.7% | 96.3% | +5.5 | ||
| Imperial Valley CollegeADN · Imperial | ADN | 68 | 95.6% | 95.2% | +5.4 | ||
| Solano Community CollegeADN · Fairfield | ADN | 44 | 95.5% | 89.4% | +5.2 | ||
| Simpson UniversityBSN · Redding | BSN | 43 | 95.3% | 94.9% | +5.1 | ||
| Cuesta CollegeADN · San Luis Obispo | ADN | 63 | 95.2% | 96.4% | +5.0 | ||
| CSU San MarcosBSN · San Marcos | BSN | 188 | 95.2% | 93.4% | +5.0 | ||
| Stanbridge UniversityBSN · Irvine | BSN | 332 | 95.2% | 96.0% | +5.0 | ||
| Concordia University IrvineBSN · Irvine | BSN | 123 | 95.1% | 96.5% | +4.9 | ||
| Sri Sai Krish InstituteADN · Orange | ADN | 41 | 95.1% | 95.1% | +4.9 | ||
| Santa Ana CollegeADN · Santa Ana | ADN | 81 | 95.1% | 91.9% | +4.9 | ||
| California Baptist UniversityELM · Riverside | ELM | 40 | 95.0% | 88.3% | +4.8 | ||
| Hartnell CollegeADN · Salinas | ADN | 40 | 95.0% | 92.3% | +4.8 | ||
| CSU FullertonBSN · Fullerton | BSN | 78 | 94.9% | 97.2% | +4.7 | ||
| American Career CollegeADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 272 | 94.8% | 94.2% | +4.6 | ||
| Carrington College SacramentoADN · Sacramento | ADN | 77 | 94.8% | 84.5% | +4.6 | ||
| Golden West CollegeADN · Huntington Beach | ADN | 96 | 94.8% | 94.8% | +4.6 | ||
| CSU FresnoBSN · Fresno | BSN | 114 | 94.7% | 93.0% | +4.5 | ||
| East Los Angeles CollegeADN · Monterey Park | ADN | 37 | 94.6% | 81.2% | +4.4 | ||
| American River CollegeADN · Sacramento | ADN | 72 | 94.4% | 94.3% | +4.2 | ||
| Pasadena City CollegeADN · Pasadena | ADN | 87 | 94.2% | 92.1% | +4.0 | ||
| CSU San BernardinoBSN · San Bernardino | BSN | 118 | 94.1% | 94.1% | +3.9 | ||
| Bakersfield CollegeADN · Bakersfield | ADN | 167 | 94.0% | 93.9% | +3.8 | ||
| LA County College of Nursing & AlliedADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 100 | 94.0% | 92.4% | +3.8 | ||
| Mission CollegeADN · Santa Clara | ADN | 33 | 93.9% | 84.5% | +3.7 | ||
| Allan Hancock CollegeADN · Santa Maria | ADN | 49 | 93.9% | 90.7% | +3.7 | ||
| CSU BakersfieldBSN · Bakersfield | BSN | 65 | 93.8% | 96.5% | +3.6 | ||
| Palomar CollegeADN · San Marcos | ADN | 63 | 93.7% | 92.9% | +3.5 | ||
| Los Medanos CollegeADN · Pittsburg | ADN | 31 | 93.5% | 89.7% | +3.3 | ||
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, ConcordBSN · Concord | BSN | 91 | 93.4% | 84.5% | +3.2 | ||
| Chaffey CollegeADN · Rancho Cucamonga | ADN | 74 | 93.2% | 91.5% | +3.0 | ||
| CSU ChicoBSN · Chico | BSN | 74 | 93.2% | 94.0% | +3.0 | ||
| Western University of Health SciencesELM · Pomona | ELM | 72 | 93.1% | 90.8% | +2.9 | ||
| Mt. San Antonio CollegeADN · Walnut | ADN | 113 | 92.9% | 92.5% | +2.7 | ||
| The Valley Foundation School of Nursing at San Jose State UniversityBSN · San Jose | BSN | 126 | 92.9% | 93.2% | +2.7 | ||
| Long Beach City CollegeADN · Long Beach | ADN | 56 | 92.9% | 89.2% | +2.7 | ||
| Citrus CollegeADN · Glendora | ADN | 28 | 92.9% | 92.4% | +2.7 | ||
| CSU StanislausBSN · Turlock | BSN | 93 | 92.5% | 95.1% | +2.3 | ||
| Pacific Union CollegeADN · Angwin | ADN | 119 | 92.4% | 90.1% | +2.2 | ||
| Westmont CollegeBSN · Santa Barbara | BSN | 39 | 92.3% | 93.2% | +2.1 | ||
| City College of San FranciscoADN · San Francisco | ADN | 77 | 92.2% | 92.4% | +2.0 | ||
| Southwestern CollegeADN · San Diego | ADN | 64 | 92.2% | 91.5% | +2.0 | ||
| UC Los AngelesBSN · Los Angeles | BSN | 51 | 92.2% | 89.8% | +2.0 | ||
| LA Trade-Tech CollegeADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 73 | 91.8% | 81.6% | +1.6 | ||
| Butte CollegeADN · Oroville | ADN | 175 | 91.4% | 87.9% | +1.2 | ||
| Loma Linda UniversityBSN · Loma Linda | BSN | 151 | 91.4% | 89.0% | +1.2 | ||
| UC IrvineBSN · Irvine | BSN | 46 | 91.3% | 89.1% | +1.1 | ||
| Ohlone CollegeADN · Newark | ADN | 23 | 91.3% | 88.3% | +1.1 | ||
| Modesto Junior CollegeADN · Modesto | ADN | 114 | 91.2% | 91.3% | +1.0 | ||
| Mt. San Jacinto CollegeADN · Menifee | ADN | 57 | 91.2% | 91.9% | +1.0 | ||
| San Diego State UniversityBSN · San Diego | BSN | 134 | 91.0% | 92.2% | +0.8 | ||
| El Camino CollegeADN · Torrance | ADN | 67 | 91.0% | 93.5% | +0.8 | ||
| American University of Health SciencesBSN · Signal Hill | BSN | 100 | 91.0% | 85.0% | +0.8 | ||
| Biola UniversityBSN · La Mirada | BSN | 63 | 90.5% | 86.2% | +0.3 | ||
| Angeles UniversityBSN · Los Angeles | BSN | 42 | 90.5% | 93.3% | +0.3 | ||
| West Coast UniversityBSN · North Hollywood | BSN | 3,070 | 90.0% | 86.5% | −0.2 | ||
| College of San MateoADN · San Mateo | ADN | 40 | 90.0% | 91.2% | −0.2 | ||
| College of the CanyonsADN · Santa Clarita | ADN | 88 | 89.8% | 91.7% | −0.4 | ||
| Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, FresnoADN · Fresno | ADN | 96 | 89.6% | 78.6% | −0.6 | ||
| University of San FranciscoBSN · San Francisco | BSN | 268 | 89.5% | 88.6% | −0.7 | ||
| College of the SequoiasADN · Visalia | ADN | 148 | 89.2% | 89.3% | −1.0 | ||
| UC DavisELM · Sacramento | ELM | 46 | 89.1% | 88.9% | −1.1 | ||
| Chamberlain University, Rancho CordovaBSN · Rancho Cordova | BSN | 147 | 89.1% | 90.6% | −1.1 | ||
| College of the DesertADN · Palm Desert | ADN | 101 | 89.1% | 91.0% | −1.1 | ||
| San Bernardino Valley CollegeADN · San Bernardino | ADN | 128 | 89.1% | 83.0% | −1.1 | ||
| LA Southwest CollegeADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 45 | 88.9% | 86.0% | −1.3 | ||
| Cabrillo CollegeADN · Aptos | ADN | 53 | 88.7% | 77.9% | −1.5 | ||
| College of MarinADN · Kentfield | ADN | 42 | 88.1% | 93.4% | −2.1 | ||
| Copper Mountain CollegeADN · Joshua Tree | ADN | 41 | 87.8% | 84.2% | −2.4 | ||
| National UniversityBSN · San Diego | BSN | 221 | 87.8% | 85.0% | −2.4 | ||
| Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing at Glendale Career CollegeADN · Glendale | ADN | 358 | 86.9% | 88.8% | −3.3 | ||
| CSU East BayBSN · Hayward | BSN | 83 | 86.8% | 86.9% | −3.5 | ||
| Charles Drew UniversityELM · Los Angeles | ELM | 45 | 86.7% | 84.9% | −3.5 | ||
| California Baptist UniversityBSN · Riverside | BSN | 187 | 86.6% | 87.2% | −3.6 | ||
| Unitek CollegeBSN · Fremont | BSN | 343 | 86.3% | 85.2% | −3.9 | ||
| United Nursing CollegeADN · Murrieta | ADN | 36 | 86.1% | 86.1% | −4.1 | ||
| CSU Channel IslandsBSN · Camarillo | BSN | 50 | 86.0% | 91.6% | −4.2 | ||
| LA Valley CollegeADN · Valley Glen | ADN | 63 | 85.7% | 87.2% | −4.5 | ||
| CSU NorthridgeBSN · Northridge | BSN | 110 | 85.5% | 89.6% | −4.8 | ||
| Career Care InstituteADN · Lancaster | ADN | 27 | 85.2% | 70.1% | −5.0 | ||
| Arizona CollegeBSN · Ontario | BSN | 74 | 85.1% | 87.1% | −5.1 | ||
| UC Los AngelesELM · Los Angeles | ELM | 67 | 85.1% | 88.0% | −5.1 | ||
| Samuel Merritt UniversityELM · Oakland | ELM | 80 | 85.0% | 82.4% | −5.2 | ||
| San Joaquin Delta CollegeADN · Stockton | ADN | 117 | 84.6% | 86.2% | −5.6 | ||
| Mount St. Mary's UniversityBSN · Los Angeles | BSN | 201 | 84.1% | 84.4% | −6.1 | ||
| Yuba CollegeADN · Marysville | ADN | 59 | 83.0% | 92.6% | −7.2 | ||
| University of San FranciscoELM · San Francisco | ELM | 111 | 82.9% | 89.2% | −7.3 | ||
| College of the RedwoodsADN · Eureka | ADN | 35 | 82.9% | 88.3% | −7.3 | ||
| Napa Valley CollegeADN · Napa | ADN | 40 | 82.5% | 86.7% | −7.7 | ||
| CNI CollegeBSN · Santa Ana | BSN | 176 | 82.4% | 85.8% | −7.8 | ||
| Azusa Pacific UniversityBSN · Azusa | BSN | 482 | 82.2% | 82.3% | −8.0 | ||
| San Francisco State UniversityBSN · San Francisco | BSN | 88 | 81.8% | 88.3% | −8.4 | ||
| Compton CollegeADN · Compton | ADN | 51 | 80.4% | 78.9% | −9.8 | ||
| Contra Costa CollegeADN · San Pablo | ADN | 30 | 80.0% | 85.3% | −10.2 | ||
| Chamberlain University, IrwindaleBSN · Irwindale | BSN | 109 | 79.8% | 83.9% | −10.4 | ||
| LA City CollegeADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 54 | 79.6% | 83.2% | −10.6 | ||
| Fresno Pacific UniversityBSN · Fresno | BSN | 29 | 79.3% | 74.4% | −10.9 | ||
| Samuel Merritt UniversityBSN · Oakland | BSN | 429 | 79.2% | 83.4% | −11.0 | ||
| Dominican University of CaliforniaBSN · San Rafael | BSN | 124 | 78.2% | 80.6% | −12.0 | ||
| Fresno City CollegeADN · Fresno | ADN | 229 | 78.2% | 79.6% | −12.0 | ||
| San Francisco State UniversityELM · San Francisco | ELM | 23 | 73.9%<75 | 82.2% | −16.3 | ||
| Smith Chason CollegeADN · Los Angeles | ADN | 63 | 69.8%<75 | 82.7% | −20.4 | ||
| Charles Drew UniversityBSN · Los Angeles | BSN | 35 | 65.7%<75 | 66.7% | −24.5 |
What the numbers mean
Pass rate is the share of a program's graduates who passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt during the BRN's July–June reporting year. It counts all first-time testers that year, including people who tested long after graduating. “vs. state” is the program’s rate minus the statewide tester-weighted average for the same year, in percentage points.
Read small cohorts carefully
A program with 15 testers can swing 10 points from one or two results. That's why we show the tester count, a 5-year tester-weighted average, and a trend line next to every rate. † marks fewer than 20 testers; “<75” marks a rate below the BRN’s 75% standard (16 CCR §1431).
Type labels
ADN associate degree, BSN baccalaureate, ELM entry-level master's for people who already hold a bachelor's in another field. Types come from the BRN program list. “Closed” marks a program the BRN lists as closed; its past results stay available for the record. The BRN may post corrections after release; see methodology.
NCLEX pass rates in California: FAQ
What is the NCLEX pass rate in California?
California's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 90.2% in 2024–25, across 15,874 California-educated testers. By degree type: ADN 92.1%, BSN 89.0% and ELM 88.3%. The statewide rate was 94.0% the year before.
Which California nursing school has the highest NCLEX pass rate?
Over 2020–21 to 2024–25, Sierra College (ADN) has the highest five-year first-time rate, 99.5%, among programs with at least 200 testers over five years and 20 in 2024–25. The full ranking by degree type is in best nursing schools in California by NCLEX pass rate.
Are these the 2026 NCLEX pass rates?
They're the latest the BRN has published. We retrieved its tables on Oct 7, 2026 and last updated this page on Oct 9, 2026. The newest year is 2024–25, which covers testers from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. We add each new year when the BRN posts it.
What is the minimum NCLEX pass rate for California nursing programs?
California regulation requires a first-time pass rate of at least 75% (16 CCR § 1431). A program below 75% must send the BRN an improvement plan, and two consecutive years below it triggers a Board approval visit. In the table above, “<75” marks those rates.
How is a school's NCLEX pass rate calculated?
It's the share of the program's first-time testers who passed during the BRN's July–June reporting year. Our 5-year figure combines all five years and weights each year by its number of testers, so a small year doesn't count as much as a large one.
More on reading these numbers: What is a good NCLEX pass rate? · Best California schools by NCLEX pass rate · CSU nursing programs compared · Nursing schools in Los Angeles
Source: California Board of Registered Nursing, “NCLEX-RN Pass Rates – First Time CA Educated Exam Testers”, annual periods July 1–June 30, 2020–21 through 2024–25. Retrieved Oct 7, 2026. Program type and city from the BRN Pre-Licensure RN Programs list.
How to cite this data
Suggested citation: SEAPHE. (2026). California NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates by nursing program, 2020–21 to 2024–25 [Data set]. Compiled from California Board of Registered Nursing pass-rate tables. https://seaphe.org/nclex-pass-rates/ (updated Oct 7, 2026).
Original source: California BRN, NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: First Time CA Educated Exam Testers; California BRN, Approved Pre-Licensure RN Programs.