A two-year ADN from a community college and a four-year BSN from a university end at the same exam: the NCLEX-RN. First-time pass rates show most clearly how well a North Carolina program prepares graduates for licensure, so both paths are ranked here by that number for 2026.
Scores cluster near the top: Randolph and Mayland community colleges posted 100%, and UNC-Chapel Hill's BSN reached 98.4%. Cost does not cluster. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,400 to $3,200 at these community colleges, versus $8,994 at Chapel Hill.
Many North Carolina hospitals prefer BSN-prepared nurses, so ADN graduates often budget for one of the best online RN to BSN programs in North Carolina.
What Our Score Measures: NCLEX-RN Results First, Everything Else Second
What actually separates a strong North Carolina nursing program from an average one? Passing the NCLEX-RN is the gate every nursing graduate must clear, so that is where our scoring begins.
How the Score Is Weighted
First-time NCLEX-RN pass rates drive about three quarters of each program's score. We average the state board's latest three years of results and weight them by test-taker volume, so a program with a large cohort counts more than one with a handful. Accreditation and a small completion and retention component act as tie-breakers when two programs land close together.
ADN and BSN programs are scored on the same NCLEX-RN basis. Both lead to the same RN license, and the exam does not care which degree a candidate holds. A community college can outrank a university here, and the reverse is just as possible.
What the School Cards Show
The graduation rates and net price shown on each school card come from College Scorecard data for the whole institution, not the nursing program. A university's campus-wide graduation rate says little about how its nursing cohort finishes, so treat those numbers as context for the school, not a verdict on the program.
Why a Stated Method Matters
Plenty of sites publish "best" lists with no explanation, leaving you to guess whether the order reflects exam results, reputation, or advertising relationships. Spelling out the formula lets you judge the ranking for yourself, and that transparency is the point.
Top NCLEX-RN Pass Rates: North Carolina Nursing Programs Ranked for 2027
Every program on this list is ordered by NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate, the clearest signal of whether a school prepares graduates to pass the licensing exam on the first attempt. Accreditation status and completion are noted on each entry so you can weigh them alongside the exam number. The 13 programs below sit at 10 North Carolina schools, and cohort sizes vary widely, so a small graduating class can move a pass rate by several points in either direction.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation rates
- Completion and retention measures
- NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates
- Accreditation and board approval
- Tuition and net price 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
Carolinas College of Health Sciences
#1Charlotte, NC · ~$19,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.7% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Charlotte hospital network career starters
Carolinas College of Health Sciences sits inside the Charlotte hospital network that runs it, and that proximity shapes the entire student experience: clinical rotations begin within the first weeks and take place at Carolinas Medical Center and the CMC-Randolph behavioral health facility. The associate degree program holds ACEN accreditation and is approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, and it is built as a three-level climb from foundational skills to complex care. It suits Charlotte-area students who want hospital-based training rather than a distant campus.
- ACEN accredited and approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Five-semester program totaling 71 credit hours
- 38 nursing credits plus 33 general education credits
- Clinical rotations at Carolinas Medical Center
- Behavioral health clinicals at the CMC-Randolph facility
- Clinical experiences begin by the third week
- Curriculum built in three levels, from foundational to complex care
- Prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
#2Chapel Hill, NC · ~$12,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.4% (2-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Degree holders eyeing an accelerated BSN
UNC Chapel Hill is the state's flagship nursing school and the broadest entry point here: a traditional bachelor's degree, a four-semester accelerated program for students who already hold a bachelor's, and a Military Pathway for service members. CCNE accreditation, a major academic medical center next door, and a graduation rate of about 91 percent make it the default choice for applicants who want research exposure and leadership tracks alongside licensure. Beginning in fall 2026 the school added an Assured Admission option for first-time applicants, which removes the separate nursing supplemental application for students identified through holistic review.
- CCNE accredited, on-campus program
- Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Traditional five-semester BSN track
- Fall entry with a December application deadline
- Assured Admission option for first-time applicants starting fall 2026
- Prepares graduates for registered nurse and public health roles
- Scholarships and financial aid available
- Fall 2027 start
- CCNE accredited, four-semester program
- Open to students who already hold a bachelor's degree
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Applicants apply by an August deadline for summer entry
- Delivered on campus
- CCNE accredited pathway for military and veteran students
- Minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA
- Fall entry with a December application deadline
- On-campus delivery
- Scholarships and financial aid available
Central Carolina Community College
#3Sanford, NC · $5,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.3% (3-yr weighted avg)
Best for: Chatham County residents wanting small cohorts
Central Carolina Community College runs its associate degree nursing program at two sites, the Lee Main Campus in Sanford and the newer Chatham Health Sciences Center, an expansion supported by a state community college grant to open access for students near Chapel Hill. Class sizes are deliberately small, and the school's graduation rate is about 43 percent. The program is currently an ACEN candidate rather than fully accredited, and it states that plainly in its own materials, so applicants should weigh that against the licensure exam results the program reports.
- Currently an ACEN candidate, not yet fully accredited
- Five-semester program with 70 total credit hours
- Small classes for personalized instruction
- Offered at the Chatham and Lee campuses
- Coursework covers quality improvement and informatics
- Prepares students for the NCLEX-RN
- Credits transfer to four-year colleges
- Limited enrollment program
Randolph Community College
#4Asheboro, NC · $7,000/yr (est. net price) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Randolph Community College reports a perfect first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across the three years of available data, from a small cohort of about 18 candidates a year. The program runs five semesters and 70 credit hours, houses its skills and simulation work in the Allied Health Center, and schedules clinical rotations in the evenings and on weekends, which is unusual and genuinely useful for students who work while they study. It is ACEN accredited and approved by the state board, and the school's graduation rate is about 58 percent.
- ACEN accredited, approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Five-semester, 70-credit program completed in two years
- TEAS entrance exam required
- 2.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- One fall cohort each year with a June 1 application deadline
- Simulation and skills training in the Allied Health Center
- Clinical rotations scheduled evenings and weekends
- TEAS preparation course available
Appalachian State University
#5Boone, NC · $8,000 – $25,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.1% (3-yr weighted avg)
Appalachian State offers a CCNE-accredited pre-licensure BSN and reports a 99 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate. The upper-division program covers 63 credits over two years with cohorts of roughly 75 students, a capstone in the final semester, and clinical placements that can reach 90 miles from Boone, so reliable transportation matters. CNA certification and a 3.0 GPA are required for admission, but no entrance exam is. The school's graduation rate is about 75 percent.
- Array
- Two-year, 63-credit upper-division program
- 99% NCLEX-RN pass rate reported by the program
- No entrance exam required; TEAS not required
- CNA certification required for admission
- About 75 students admitted each year
- Clinical sites up to 90 miles from Boone
- Capstone required in the final semester
Stanly Community College
#6Albemarle, NC · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.8% (2-yr weighted avg)
Stanly Community College's Annie Ruth Kelley Associate Degree Nursing program covers 69 credits and finishes with a capstone teaching project. Program materials cite accreditation through the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation and approval by the state board of nursing. Admission is once a year for fall, the TEAS is required, and applicants are assigned a success coach, which is more structured support than most community colleges provide. The school's graduation rate is about 48 percent.
- Program materials cite NLN CNEA accreditation
- 69-credit curriculum with a required capstone project
- TEAS entrance exam required
- Fall start with a January 15 application deadline
- 2.0 GPA minimum plus prerequisite courses
- No application fee and a success coach for applicants
- CPR certification for health care providers required
- Background check and drug screening required
Mayland Community College
#7Spruce Pine, NC · ~$6,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 100% (3-yr weighted avg)
Mayland Community College is a small mountain program in Spruce Pine that reports a 100 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024-2025 and holds ACEN accreditation. Classes stay small and skills work happens in simulation labs, and the school builds explicit bridge options for LPNs and paramedics moving into the associate degree role. Credits transfer into RN-to-BSN completion programs for graduates who want to keep going, and the school notes projected 12 percent job growth for registered nurses in North Carolina. The school's graduation rate is about 46 percent.
- ACEN accredited associate degree program
- Program reports a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024-2025
- Simulation labs and small class sizes
- LPN and paramedic to ADN bridge options
- Credits transfer into RN-to-BSN programs
- Individualized nursing education approach
- Prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
Gaston College
#8Dallas, NC · $5,000 – $10,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 99.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Gaston College's associate degree nursing program holds ACEN accreditation and prepares students for registered nurse practice with an emphasis on safety, quality, and patient-centered care across hospital, clinic, and community settings. It is a nationally accredited two-year pathway for students in the Charlotte-Gastonia corridor, ending in an Associate of Applied Science and eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. The school's graduation rate is about 63 percent, among the higher figures for community colleges on this list.
- Nationally accredited by ACEN
- Registered Nursing program, code A45110RN
- Emphasis on safety and quality in nursing care
- Prepares graduates to assess individual patient needs
- Graduates eligible for the NCLEX-RN
- Careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings
- Dedicated faculty and a supportive learning environment
Alamance Community College
#9Graham, NC · $3,000 – $9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Alamance Community College offers two enrollment options inside one program: a five-semester day track and an evening track built for working adults, with the next evening cohort starting in January 2027. Clinicals run one 12-hour day a week in hospitals, physician offices, and skilled nursing facilities, and the TEAS is required for admission. Accreditation for the nursing program was not confirmed in the sources we reviewed, so ask the school directly before you apply. The school's graduation rate is about 39 percent.
- Five-semester day option and an evening option for working adults
- Evening option next starts January 2027
- TEAS entrance exam required
- One 12-hour clinical day each week
- Clinical placements in hospitals, physician offices, and skilled nursing facilities
- Certifications can earn admission points
- Graduates eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure
- May continue on to BSN, MSN, or DNP programs
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
#10Asheville, NC · $3,000 – $9,000/yr (est.) · NCLEX-RN pass rate 98.2% (3-yr weighted avg)
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College runs a 72-credit associate degree program with a selective admission process built on anatomy and physiology prerequisites, plus a separate advanced placement track for licensed LPNs. Program materials cite NLN CNEA accreditation and approval by the North Carolina Board of Nursing, and coursework leans on evidence-based practice and informatics. Clinical placements require a background check, drug testing, and current BLS certification. The school's graduation rate is about 40 percent.
- Program materials cite NLN CNEA accreditation
- 72-credit curriculum
- Selective admission with anatomy and physiology prerequisites
- Prepares students for acute, chronic, and community nursing
- Emphasizes evidence-based practice and informatics
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Clinical component requires background check and drug testing
- Current BLS for health care providers required
- Advanced placement track for currently licensed LPNs
- 72 total credit hours
- Current LPN license required
- Courses require a minimum grade of C
- Clinical background check and BLS certification required
- Approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing
- Prerequisite courses required
Best Community College Nursing Programs in NC: 2-Year ADN Options
If you are comparing 2 year nursing programs in NC, the best community college nursing programs in NC deliver about two years of nursing coursework after prerequisites and are often among the lowest-cost routes to RN licensure in the state. The table below draws on the North Carolina Board of Nursing's 2025 NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates for associate degree programs, where Randolph Community College stands out with a perfect 100 percent, a result the college reports as its fifth straight year of perfect first-time pass rates. Cohort size matters too: Beaufort County Community College posted 95 percent with 39 first-time test takers, and Central Piedmont Community College reached 92 percent with 35, showing that strong results can hold up across larger groups of graduates.
| Community College | City | Most Recent NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | First-Time Test Takers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph Community College | N/A | 100% | N/A |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Asheville | 98% | 24 |
| Cape Fear Community College | N/A | 98% | N/A |
| Alamance Community College | N/A | 97% | N/A |
| Blue Ridge Community College | N/A | 96% | N/A |
| Beaufort County Community College | Washington | 95% | 39 |
| Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte | 92% | 35 |
| Coastal Carolina Community College | Jacksonville | 86% | 20 |
BSN Paths in North Carolina: Four-Year, Accelerated, and ADN-to-BSN Bridges
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) in North Carolina isn't a single track. Where you start, straight out of high school, with a degree in another field, or already working as an RN, shapes which route makes the most sense.
Traditional BSN vs. Accelerated BSN
A traditional pre-licensure BSN spreads general education, sciences, and nursing coursework across roughly four years, with clinicals concentrated in the upper-division years. An accelerated BSN for career changers (ABSN) compresses the nursing portion for those who already hold a bachelor's degree, so the pace is intense and outside employment is difficult.
Two NC ABSN options are well documented. Others may exist, so confirm current offerings directly with schools.
- UNC Charlotte Accelerated BSN: Four semesters with Fall admission. Prerequisites include writing, math, statistics, psychology, and anatomy-level biology, with course-specific grade floors (higher for sciences) and a 3.0 GPA benchmark.
- NC A&T ABSN Entry Option: About 12 months in a block format, covering 64 nursing credits. Prerequisites span biology, chemistry, microbiology, statistics, psychology, and nutrition-related coursework. They can be completed at any accredited college and transferred in, though some expire after five years.1
Both prepare graduates for the NCLEX-RN.
ADN-to-BSN: The Statewide Articulation Agreement
Since Fall 2015,2 a uniform articulation agreement between the NC Community College System and the UNC System has connected every community college ADN program to RN-to-BSN programs at 11 UNC institutions,3 including East Carolina, UNC Charlotte, UNC Greensboro, UNC Wilmington, Appalachian State, and Western Carolina. The goal is to let licensed ADN graduates move into a BSN without repeating coursework. ADN to BSN transfer credit limits and admission rules still vary by campus. UNC Pembroke, for example, awards 30 credits for prior nursing learning, accepts up to 62 transfer credits, and leaves seven nursing courses to complete, provided you hold an unrestricted NC or multistate license.
RIBN: Dual Enrollment From Day One
The Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) pathway is aimed at graduating high school seniors and early-college students. You're admitted through dual admission nursing programs to a partner community college and a UNC university at the same time, earn the ADN, then finish the BSN. At UNC Pembroke, students complete the ADN in about three years and the final BSN year online. Western Carolina's version runs about four years. Both list a 3.0 GPA minimum.4
Which Path Fits You?
- High school graduate: A traditional BSN or RIBN, especially if lower community college tuition appeals to you.
- Career changer with a bachelor's: An ABSN gets you to the NCLEX fastest.
- Working ADN nurse: An articulation-backed RN-to-BSN, often online, lets you keep earning while you advance.
North Carolina by City
Explore other North Carolina related topics
Getting Into an NC Nursing Program: TEAS, HESI, Prerequisites, and Waitlists
Admission to North Carolina community college ADN programs is competitive, and each college sets its own rules. Use this checklist as a starting point, then confirm current requirements directly with every school on your list.
- Entrance examThe ATI TEAS is the exam named in the current checklists we reviewed. Durham Tech requires an adjusted individual score of 60% taken within the last three years. Forsyth Tech requires at least 60%, and scores expire two years after the test date and must remain valid through the application deadline. Some programs may use the HESI A2 instead. Current exam requirements for Central Piedmont and Guilford Tech were not available, so ask those colleges directly.
- Prerequisite courses and gradesExpect English, psychology, and anatomy and physiology. Wake Tech's required courses include ENG-111, PSY-150, and BIO-163 or BIO-168, with a C or better required in program-related courses. Durham Tech lists ACA-122, ENG-111, PSY-150, and CHM-094 and requires developmental math and reading/English unless placement credit applies. Minimum GPA thresholds vary, so check each college's checklist.
- Nurse Aide I listingDurham Tech and Forsyth Tech both require listing on the NC Nurse Aide I Registry. Forsyth Tech also accepts CNA II, CMA, EMT, Paramedic, or Military Corpsman credentials.
- Points-based selectionWake Tech ranks applicants by points earned mainly from grades in required general education courses, and higher grades earn more points. Ask each school whether test scores or residency also add points.
- Admission cycles and waitlistsDurham Tech posts application packets November 1, and they are due by 5 p.m. on February 1. Wake Tech does not keep a waitlist, so applicants who are not selected should plan to apply again in a later cycle.
RN Licensure Through the North Carolina Board of Nursing
More North Carolina Nursing Programs Worth a Look
The schools below round out our North Carolina directory, grouped by the region of the state where each campus sits. Every entry lists the city, the credential offered, and the delivery format, so you can browse by location instead of by score. Where a program publishes cost information, we note the tuition figure as listed.
Western North Carolina
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- Associate Degree Nursing
Charlotte Metro
- Nursing, B.S.N.
- Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Christa A. Overcash Associate Degree in Nursing
Piedmont Triad
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Sandhills
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing
- RIBN: Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses Sandhills
Southeastern North Carolina
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)
Eastern North Carolina
- Associate Degree Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Research Triangle
- Associate Degree Nursing
Northeastern North Carolina
- Associate Degree Nursing