The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Nursing has been recognized among the nation’s top nursing programs for consistently strong first-time National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rates, earning a place on Nurse.org’s list of nursing schools that maintained pass rates of 90 percent or higher for three consecutive years.
According to Nurse.org’s NCLEX Scorecard, only 175 nursing programs nationwide met the rigorous benchmark of achieving first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates of at least 90 percent in each of the last three years. The College of Nursing ranked third among the top programs in the country, posting an average first-time pass rate of 97.3 percent across 2023, 2024, and 2025, with an average of 229 graduates taking the exam each year.
“Being ranked as one of the highest average NCLEX pass rates over the past three years is a tremendous honor for the College of Nursing. This recognition reflects the hard work, talent, and dedication of our students, as well as the unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff who support them every step of the way,” said Shelia Swift, executive associate dean of academic affairs. “What makes this especially meaningful is the emphasis on consistency; achieving strong outcomes year after year speaks to the strength of our academic programs, the quality of our preparation, and our shared commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and of what it represents for our college and the future nurses we prepare to serve.”
The NCLEX-RN administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, is the standardized exam used to determine whether nursing graduates are prepared to enter professional practice as registered nurses.
“Being ranked No. 3 nationally by Nurse.org for average NCLEX pass rates over the past three years is an incredible achievement for the College of Nursing and a reflection of the hard work and determination of our students, as well as the dedication of the faculty and staff who support them throughout their nursing education,” said Phillip Moore, assistant dean of undergraduate programs. “This recognition speaks to the strength of our program and the preparation our graduates receive before entering practice. We are proud of what this achievement represents, not only for our college, but also for the communities that will be served by our graduates in the years ahead.”
Nurse.org noted that maintaining consistently high pass rates across multiple years is a significant achievement, particularly during the transition to the Next Generation NCLEX, which launched in 2023 and introduced new methods for evaluating clinical judgment and decision-making skills. Rather than recognizing a single year of strong performance, the ranking highlights programs that have demonstrated sustained excellence over time.
The College of Nursing offers multiple pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, including the traditional BSN program, Accelerated BSN program, online RN to BSN and a BSN pathway in partnership with UT Medical Center. The college also offers graduate degrees and advanced practice certifications, with online and blended learning options available for selected programs.
CONTACT:
Kara Clark Cardwell ([email protected], 865-974-9498)