Prestige and licensure outcomes don't always line up in Maryland nursing education. Community colleges such as Chesapeake, Hagerstown, and Cecil report first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates ahead of Johns Hopkins and Towson, at a fraction of the tuition.
So what is the best nursing school in Maryland? The answer here rests on first-time NCLEX-RN results rather than reputation. The best nursing schools in Maryland span ADN, BSN, accelerated, and RN-to-BSN routes, and the right fit depends on how to prepare for nursing school and where you are starting.
A strong pass rate only helps if you get a seat. Many programs admit competitively and start a single cohort each fall, making a nursing school application guide useful.
Highest NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: Maryland's 10 Top-Performing Nursing Programs
Which Maryland nursing programs turn graduates into licensed registered nurses on the first attempt? That is the question behind this list. First-time NCLEX-RN results carry roughly three-quarters of the weight in the order below, drawn from the Maryland Board of Nursing's latest three reporting years and weighted by how many graduates actually sat for the exam. Accreditation standing, along with completion and retention measures, settles ties. Across the ten programs here, first-time pass rates run from about 92% up to a perfect 100%.
How we ranked these
- Graduation and completion rates
- First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates
- Program accreditation standing
- Retention and student progress
- Cohort size as context
- Original research on individual programs
- NCES-IPEDS federal institutional data — nces.ed.gov
- Program-level NCLEX pass rates from the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- College Scorecard post-completion earnings data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- In-house program catalog data
Chesapeake College
#1Wye Mills, MD · ~$5,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Rural students seeking a close-knit nursing program
Chesapeake College in Wye Mills offers a campus-based Associate of Science in Nursing, the associate-degree route to RN licensure, and its graduates posted a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the Maryland Board of Nursing's latest three reporting years. The ACEN-accredited curriculum runs about 69 credits and pairs nursing theory with clinical practice in regional care settings. Admission is selective, requires the TEAS exam and a C or better in prerequisites, and gives priority to residents of designated Upper Eastern Shore counties. The school's overall graduation rate is about 35%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $5,100.
- ACEN-accredited Associate of Science degree
- About 69 credits spanning nursing theory and general education
- Clinical practice in regional health care settings
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
- C or better required in prerequisite courses
- TEAS entrance exam required for admission
- Fall semester admission only
- Priority admission for residents of designated counties
Hagerstown Community College
#2Hagerstown, MD · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Working LPNs and medics advancing to RN
Hagerstown Community College runs a campus-based Associate of Science in Nursing with a traditional three-year pathway and a faster two-year option, plus weekend and evening classes for students who need flexibility. The ACEN-accredited program reported a 98.1% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years and builds in transition tracks for LPNs, paramedics, and military medics. Students can also dual-enroll with four-year universities to work toward a BSN. The school's overall graduation rate is about 39%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $6,800.
- ACEN-accredited Associate of Science in Nursing
- Traditional three-year or intensive two-year pathway
- Weekend and evening classes for working students
- Transition tracks for LPNs, paramedics, and military medics
- Dual enrollment with four-year universities toward a BSN
- TEAS entrance exam and 2.5 GPA minimum
- Two start dates per year, fall and spring
- Small cohorts with experienced faculty
Cecil College
#3North East, MD · ~$10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 97.4% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Transfer-minded students planning a later BSN
Cecil College in North East offers a campus-based Associate of Science in Nursing that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN and Maryland RN licensure. First-time results for its graduates reached 97.4% across the Maryland Board of Nursing's latest three reporting years. The college is one of the Maryland community colleges in the University of Maryland School of Nursing's BSN pathway network, giving graduates a defined route to a bachelor's degree. The school's overall graduation rate is about 37%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $9,700.
- Associate of Science in Nursing (AS) degree
- Campus-based program in North East, Maryland
- Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing
- Part of the University of Maryland School of Nursing BSN pathway network
Community College of Baltimore County
#4Baltimore, MD · $4,000 – $11,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 94.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
The Community College of Baltimore County offers a hybrid Associate of Science in Nursing with classes at the Catonsville and Essex campuses and online coursework, a format that works for students balancing jobs or family. It is a selective program with a separate health sciences application, and its graduates posted a 94.5% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years, based on 676 first-time candidates. The school's overall graduation rate is about 19%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $9,800.
- Blends in-person classes with online coursework
- Classes at the Catonsville and Essex campuses
- High-fidelity nursing lab training
- Selective program with a separate application
- About 35 credits a year to finish in two years
- Prepares students for interprofessional health care teams
- Coursework spans anatomy, microbiology, and nursing fundamentals
- Financial aid available
Notre Dame of Maryland University
#5Baltimore, MD · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 93.5% (3-yr weighted avg)
Notre Dame of Maryland University in Baltimore offers a campus-based, entry-level BSN for students new to nursing, with clinical placements beginning junior year at hospitals that include Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Medical Center. Its first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.5% across the board's latest three reporting years. The university is also a hub for advancement: it takes part in Maryland's statewide RN-to-BSN articulation model and holds agreements with Anne Arundel Community College and Chesapeake College, plus a dual enrollment route from associate programs. The school's overall graduation rate is about 50%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $19,200.
- CCNE-accredited four-year BSN for first-time nursing students
- Clinicals begin junior year at Johns Hopkins Hospital
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Core courses include holistic health assessment and pathopharmacology
- Small classes with faculty mentoring
- Capstone Transformational Practice Project
- Optional mission trip to Haiti
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
Johns Hopkins University
#6Baltimore, MD · $19,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 91.9% (3-yr weighted avg)
Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore offers a campus-based entry-level Master of Science in Nursing, a master's-entry route to RN licensure for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. Its graduates posted a 91.9% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years, based on 836 first-time candidates, the largest group in this roundup. Admission is highly selective, with an admit rate around 6%, and the school's overall graduation rate is about 94%.
- Master's-entry route to RN licensure
- Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing
- Campus-based in Baltimore
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
Towson University
#7Towson, MD · ~$17,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Towson University, just north of Baltimore, offers a campus-based BSN that students enter as a screened major after finishing prerequisites and applying during sophomore year. The CCNE-accredited program reported a 92.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years. Towson is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing at both the baccalaureate and master's-entry levels, and the university also lists second-degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, and associate-to-bachelor's dual enrollment options. The school's overall graduation rate is about 69%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $17,400.
- CCNE-accredited, 120-credit BSN
- Screened major; apply during sophomore year
- Highly competitive admission
- Pre-licensure option for new students
- Builds communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills
- Clinical placements with partner sites
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
Anne Arundel Community College
#8Arnold, MD · $4,000 – $12,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 93.6% (3-yr weighted avg)
Anne Arundel Community College in Arnold runs a campus-based, ACEN-accredited Associate of Science in Nursing that full-time students can finish in three years, combining simulation labs with hospital placements across the Baltimore and Washington area. Its first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 93.6% across the board's latest three reporting years. The program reports transfer agreements with eight universities for graduates who later pursue a BSN, and it offers advanced placement for LPNs, paramedics, and veterans. The school's overall graduation rate is about 31%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $14,900.
- ACEN-accredited and approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing
- About 70 credits; full-time students finish in three years
- No entrance exam required
- Simulation labs plus hospital clinical placements
- Transfer agreements with eight universities
- Advanced placement for LPNs, paramedics, and veterans
- Financial aid and scholarships available
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
Carroll Community College
#9Westminster, MD · ~$3,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Carroll Community College in Westminster offers a campus-based Associate of Science in Nursing with dedicated LPN-to-RN and paramedic-to-RN concentrations, so experienced caregivers can build on credentials they already hold. The roughly 70-credit curriculum combines simulation lab work with clinical rotations at regional facilities, and graduates posted a 92.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years. The school's overall graduation rate is about 39%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $2,700.
- About 70 total credit hours
- Approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing
- Concept-based curriculum focused on patient safety
- Simulation practice with trained actors
- Clinicals at regional health care facilities
- One-to-one practicum with a registered nurse
- 2.5 GPA minimum and prerequisite courses required
- Dual enrollment toward a BSN through articulation agreements
- Designed for current LPNs advancing to RN
- Hands-on simulation labs
- Small clinical group sizes
- Competitive admission for LPNs, NRPs, and military medics
- Pathway to a BSN through partner institutions
- Built for paramedics moving into registered nursing
- Campus-based program
- State-of-the-art labs and simulation
- Expert instructors
Salisbury University
#10Salisbury, MD · ~$18,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 92% (3-yr weighted avg)
Salisbury University on the Eastern Shore offers a campus-based traditional BSN built on eight prerequisite science courses, with a cohort model and a two-step admissions process that runs through NursingCAS and a January 15 priority deadline. Its graduates posted a 92% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the board's latest three reporting years. The university also lists second-degree BSN, RN-to-BSN, and RN-to-MSN options for nurses who want to keep advancing. The school's overall graduation rate is about 68%, and the average net price after aid is roughly $17,700.
- CCNE-accredited, cohort-based traditional BSN
- Built on eight prerequisite science courses
- 3.0 GPA minimum for admission
- Two-step admissions process through NursingCAS
- January 15 priority deadline for first consideration
- Faculty advisor assigned in sophomore year
- Clinical partnerships with regional health care facilities
- Background check and drug testing required
Inside Our Scoring: Why First-Time NCLEX-RN Results Carry the Most Weight
A nursing degree only pays off once you hold an RN license, and the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is the most direct evidence of whether a program gets graduates there. It reflects how well coursework, clinical rotations, and exam preparation line up with what the licensing exam actually tests.
How Maryland Compares Nationally
Nationally, the first-time pass rate for U.S.-educated RN candidates was 91.2% in 2024 and 86.7% in 2025.1 Secondary reporting puts the first half of 2026 at 88.6% (86.7% in the first quarter, 90.2% in the second).1 The 74.4% figure you may see in headlines covers all candidates, including repeat and internationally educated testers, so it is not the right benchmark for a school.1
The Maryland Board of Nursing's published statistics show a statewide first-time rate of 86.62%, but the reporting period is FY04. Use it as rough context rather than a precise state-versus-national comparison; How to Read NCLEX-RN Pass Rate Data When Evaluating Nursing Schools will help you focus on how each program performs against the current national rate.
Why Accreditation Comes Next
National accreditation from CCNE or ACEN matters well beyond graduation. Many graduate nursing programs, including MSN Programs in Maryland, expect it for admission, employers often prefer it, and some tuition-reimbursement policies depend on it. The University of Maryland School of Nursing and Johns Hopkins School of Nursing hold CCNE accreditation. Maryland Board of Nursing approval is a separate requirement that lets graduates sit for the NCLEX, so confirm both before you apply.
Reading the Numbers Carefully
- Institution-wide data: Graduation rate and net price usually describe the whole college, not the nursing program alone.
- Small cohorts: Programs with few test takers can swing sharply from one year to the next, so look at several years of NCLEX pass rates by school when you can.
2-Year ADN or 4-Year BSN? Weighing Maryland's Two Main Routes to RN
Both the community college ADN and the university BSN prepare you for the same NCLEX-RN and the same Maryland RN license, so the real decision comes down to time, cost, and where you want your career to go. Maryland's BSN-prepared share of the RN workforce has climbed from about 60 percent in 2019 to 67.1 percent today, against a statewide goal of 80 percent, which is why many ADN graduates plan an RN-to-BSN step early. Licensed practical nurses have a third option through LPN-to-RN bridge routes, and registerednursing.org's ADN, BSN, and LPN-to-RN guides cover each path in more depth.
| Factor | ADN (Community College) | BSN (University) |
|---|---|---|
| Time to licensure | About 2 years of nursing coursework after prerequisites | 4 years for a traditional program |
| Typical cost tier | Lower, based on community college tuition | Higher, based on four-year university tuition |
| Clinical and coursework depth | Focused on core bedside skills and clinical practice | Bedside skills plus added coursework in areas such as leadership, research, and community health |
| Licensing exam and Maryland license | NCLEX-RN, same Maryland RN license | NCLEX-RN, same Maryland RN license |
| National employer hiring preference (2023) | 25.0% of employers require a BSN for entry-level hires | 69.8% of employers express a strong preference for BSN new hires |
| Maryland hiring settings | Accepted at most outpatient, long-term care, and smaller hospital settings | Increasingly preferred by hospitals pursuing Magnet designation and by larger health systems |
| Reported annual pay (2026 estimates) | About $82,000 | About $100,000 |
| Graduate school eligibility | Usually requires completing a BSN, or entering an RN-to-MSN bridge, before graduate study | Eligible to apply directly to MSN and DNP programs, including nurse practitioner tracks |
| Path to the other credential | Maryland supports ADN-to-BSN progression through the Nurse Support Program's Associate to Bachelor's (ATB) initiative, and ADN-to-BSN enrollment has risen 23.3% | Already holds the bachelor's degree employers increasingly seek |
Maryland by City
Explore other Maryland related topics
Fast-Track Options: Second-Degree ABSN and RN-to-BSN Programs in Maryland
An accelerated second-degree BSN (ABSN) is a compressed nursing bachelor's for people making a career change to nursing after earning a degree in another field. You skip the general education you've already completed and move straight into nursing coursework and clinical rotations. Statewide, these programs commonly run 12 to 18 months, though some Maryland schools spread the curriculum over about two years.
Where Maryland Career Changers Can Start
- Notre Dame of Maryland University: Open to applicants with a bachelor's degree in another field. The program runs 15 months once you finish the required pre-entrance coursework.
- University of Maryland, Baltimore: A roughly two-year, 61-credit track with spring and fall starts and a July 15, 2026 application deadline. Bachelor's holders need chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, and microbiology (all with labs), plus one of growth and development, statistics, or nutrition. A 3.0 GPA is the commonly cited threshold, but published listings aren't fully consistent, so confirm with admissions.
- Towson University: About two years of full-time study, with fall and spring terms. Ask the school directly about prerequisites and GPA minimums.
- Johns Hopkins University: Hopkins offers an Entry-Level Master of Science in Nursing rather than a second-degree BSN, a Accelerated BSN vs Direct-Entry MSN choice. It's highly competitive, and admitted students often bring science GPAs of 3.3 to 3.5 or higher.
Across Maryland, expect prerequisites such as Anatomy and Physiology I and II, microbiology, chemistry, statistics, and human growth and development, with minimum GPAs often around 3.0. Verify each school's current requirements, start dates, and grade policies before you apply.
Plan for an Intense Stretch
ABSN programs are full-time and demanding. Lectures, skills labs, and clinical shifts can fill your week, and holding a job during the program usually isn't realistic. Line up savings, loans, or family support for living expenses before you commit.
RN-to-BSN Completion for Working Nurses
If you already have an ADN and an active RN license, an RN-to-BSN program adds bachelor's-level coursework, typically in leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice, without repeating your clinical foundation. Many programs are designed around work schedules, with online or hybrid formats and part-time pacing. The RN to BSN Programs in Maryland and ABSN guides on registerednursing.org cover individual programs in more depth.
A Quick Rule of Thumb
Choose an ABSN if you hold a non-nursing bachelor's and want the fastest route to RN licensure. Choose RN-to-BSN if you're already licensed and want to advance without stepping away from your job.
Which Ranked Maryland Nursing Schools Have the Lowest Average Net Price?
Maryland's community colleges offer the least expensive path to an RN license among the schools ranked here, with average net prices after grants and scholarships ranging from $2,725 at Carroll Community College to $8,819 at Allegany College of Maryland. These are institution-wide averages for all students, not nursing-specific costs, so your price will depend on your aid eligibility, residency, and enrollment status. Even the highest figure here is well below the private-school net prices discussed above.
Maryland RN Licensure at a Glance
More Maryland Nursing Programs Worth a Look
This directory rounds out the Maryland nursing programs covered on this page, grouped by region rather than ranked. Each entry notes the campus location, the credential offered, and the average net price reported in federal data. Costs, start dates, and admission requirements change, so confirm details with each school before applying.
Baltimore Metro
- Nursing (AS)
- Bachelor of Science (Nursing)
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Nursing, AS
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Nursing - A.A. Degree (Transfer)
Washington, D.C. Suburbs
- Nursing (RN), A.S.
- Associate's Degree in Nursing
- Traditional Undergraduate Nursing Program
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Western Maryland
- Nursing A.S.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate of Science degree in Nursing
- Associate of Science degree in Nursing (LPN to RN Online)
- Associate of Science degree in Nursing (Weekend Hybrid)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- RN to BSN
Southern Maryland
- Associate Degree in Nursing
Eastern Shore
- Nursing, Direct Progression Pathway, A.S.