.jpg)
So you’re the next Florence Nightingale?
If you’re looking for the fastest way to step out on the floor as a registered nurse (RN), the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) might be for you.
You could be taking the NCLEX-RN and graduating in just 2 years. Gasp! And it’s easier on your pocketbook, too.
But hold on a minute—before you rush to enroll, you need the lowdown on choosing a good ADN nursing program.
We’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best ADN programs nationwide according to their NCLEX-RN pass rates, accreditation, and value. You might luck out and find one of these ADN programs is on your doorstep, or you can use the criteria to choose a college in your own state.
Here is a quick look at the 15 programs we will be covering in the article.
What is an ADN?
The Associate Degree in Nursing is an undergraduate credential that qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and earn a registered nurse license.
The ADN typically takes 2 years to complete, although some accelerated programs may be as fast as 18 months. It is the shortest academic route to becoming an RN, making it popular with career changers and budget-conscious students.
A few things are worth knowing before you dig into specific schools:
- Associate degree nursing programs are offered at community colleges, technical schools, and some universities.
- The ADN is also known as an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing—all are essentially equivalent for licensing purposes.
- Clinical training is substantial, with programs generally requiring between 500 and 800 clinical hours.
- Fully online ADN programs do not exist, because clinical rotations and skills labs must happen in person; some hybrid programs deliver theory coursework online.
The honest ADN vs BSN comparison
Both the ADN and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) are legitimate paths to an RN license, and the right choice depends on your timeline, budget, and goals.
ADN advantages
The case for the ADN is strong for a lot of students:
- You enter the workforce faster, sometimes 1-2 years sooner than a BSN graduate.
- You pay significantly less for community college tuition than university rates.
- You take the same NCLEX-RN exam and earn the same RN license.
There is a strong employment market for ADN graduates, spanning hospitals, long-term care, home health, and clinics. RN-to-BSN bridge programs are widely available, so many students can complete both degrees over time.
BSN advantages
According to a survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), 25% of hospitals require a BSN for new hires, and 69.8% strongly prefer BSN graduates.
In addition, Magnet-designated hospitals typically require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses. The same requirement also applies to leadership, management, and many specialized clinical roles.
Nurses who would like to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) need a BSN for admission. The salary gap for nurses also tends to widen with study and experience.
So, is an ADN worth it?
The bottom line is that an ADN remains a smart strategic choice, especially if you want to work while completing an RN-to-BSN or if you are managing financial constraints.
The key is picking an ADN program with strong NCLEX pass rates and a clear bridge pathway.
How we chose the top 15 ADN programs
The programs listed below were selected using objective, verifiable measures such as NCLEX pass rates and accreditation, rather than reputation or marketing.
Accreditation
Most programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). An ACEN-accredited ADN is the most common credential you will encounter.
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate
Listed programs have consistently demonstrated strong pass rates, generally 85% or higher.
Note: Some programs had lower pass rates in 2025, but they have been included for their flexibility and affordability.
Program completion rate
We favored programs with strong graduation rates, not just good exam numbers.
Geographic diversity
The list deliberately spans multiple regions, so readers across the country can find a nearby benchmark.
Value
Cost and program length are weighed, particularly for community college programs.
This is not an exhaustive national ranking. Treat it as a set of benchmarks, and use the same criteria to evaluate any program near you.
Our pick of ADN nursing programs
The programs below are ordered by first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, highest first. All are accredited, all have a named RN-to-BSN pathway, and all clear the 85% threshold described above. Accelerated and multi-campus programs that trade pass-rate consistency for flexibility appear in a separate section afterward.
Santa Monica College in CA
- Degree: Associate in Science (AS)
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: The total program cost is approximately $4,000-$5,000.
- Notable features: The Santa Monica ADN program is notable for its affordability and high NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- Bridge pathway: Students enrolled in the AS program can apply for a dual-enrollment pathway and begin their BSN coursework in the winter or summer.
- Apply: Nursing Program
Sources:
Cayuga Community College in NY
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: The tuition fee for Cayuga County and New York State residents is $2,808 per semester.
- Notable features: High NCLEX-RN pass rates and affordable tuition fees make Cayuga Community College a good choice for ADN studies.
- Bridge pathway: Cayuga Community College has announced a new partnership with SUNY Upstate Medical University to offer a 3-year dual degree AAS in Nursing and BSN program. It is expected to launch in the fall of 2026.
- Apply: Nursing admissions
Sources:
Big Bend Community College in WA
- Degree: Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP Degree
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years (needs extensive science and general education prerequisites before formal entry)
- Format: In-person, although some prerequisite general education courses can be taken online
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: Washington residents pay $264.21 per credit, and out-of-state students pay $283.62 per credit (the core tuition cost to roughly $5,000–$5,700 per academic year).
- Notable features: The Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP Degree is highly regarded because of its consistently high NCLEX-RN pass rates (100% since 2022).
- Bridge pathway: The Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP Degree curriculum is designed to enable students to easily transfer to a 4-year school offering a BSN program.
- Apply: Big Bend Community College Nursing
Sources:
Front Range Community College (Westminster campus) in CO
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98.1% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: Colorado residents pay $392.40 per credit hour. Resident Nursing with COF Stipend: $276.40 per credit hour (after a -$116.00 COF credit). Non-resident students pay $771.55 per credit hour. The program has a total of 71.5 credit hours.
- Notable features: Front Range Community College is considered one of the best ADN programs in Colorado, due to its high NCLEX-RN pass rates.
- Bridge pathway: Front Range Community College offers a 100% online RN-to-BSN program.
- Apply: Front Range Community College Nursing
Source:
A-B Tech in NC
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: CNEA
- Length: 2 years (5 semesters)
- Format: Mostly in-person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: North Carolina residents pay $76 per credit hour. The program has a total of 72 credit hours.
- Notable features: The ADN at A-B Tech is highly regarded for its high NCLEX-RN pass rates and its affordability.
- Bridge pathway: A-B Tech partners with Western Carolina University to offer a dual enrollment AAS to BSN pathway.
- Apply: Associate Degree Nursing
Sources:
- 2025 NCLEX-RN First-Time Testing Pass Rates
- Associate Degree Nursing Cost Estimate
- Associate Degree Nursing Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nursing (RIBN)
LaGuardia Community College in NY
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years (once a student completes the intensive pre-clinical candidacy semester)
- Format: primarily in-person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 98% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: New York City residents pay $4,800 per year. Out-of-city and out-of-state residents pay $9,600 per year.
- Notable features: The program has maintained NCLEX-RN pass rates over 90% for the past 5 years. In 2025, 93% of graduates were either employed or enrolled in the BSN program.
- Bridge pathway: LaGuardia has a partnership with the CUNY School of Professional Studies, allowing students to transition directly into the BSN program.
- Apply: Nursing (Registered Nurse/RN), AAS
Sources:
Howard College in TX
- Degree: AAS
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: Hybrid
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 94% and 97.3%, depending on campus
- Tuition estimate: For the 60 required credit hours, the underlying base tuition generally balances out to approximately $2,500 to $2,800 per year for in-state students. However, nursing courses also incur specialized health program liability insurance and lab simulation clinical fees that are tacked onto the base semester-hour rate. The program has a total of 60 credit hours.
- Notable features: The second-year lectures are online; however, clinical courses are held in a traditional environment.
- Bridge pathway: Howard College has a partnership with Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center for the RN-to-BSN program. Successful ADN graduates can complete the bridge program in as little as 2 semesters.
- Apply: Big Spring - RN Program
Sources:
- Report of 2024 NCLEX-RN® Examination Pass Rates
- Howard College Cost
- Howard College and TTUHSC Early Decision Admission
Chabot College in CA
- Degree: AS
- Accreditation: ACCJC (WASC)
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 95% to 100%, depending on campus
- Tuition estimate: The total program cost is approximately $8,000-$8,500.
- Notable features: The Chabot Nursing Program received the Strong Workforce Gold Star for 2018.
- Bridge pathway: Chabot College is partnered with the California State University East Bay BSN program, for which ASN students are eligible to apply.
- Apply: Nursing Registered Nurse Program
Source:
Sinclair Community College in OH
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years (5 semesters)
- Format: In-person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 78.5% and 95%, depending on campus
- Tuition estimate: Montgomery County residents pay $156.03 per credit hour. Ohio residents pay $203.28 per credit hour. Out-of-state students pay $359.40 per credit hour.
- Notable features: The AAS in Nursing at Sinclair Community College is affordable, especially for Montgomery County or Ohio residents.
- Bridge pathway: Sinclair Community College offers an RN-to-BSN program.
- Apply: Nursing NUR.S.AAS
Sources:
- Report 1 – Number and Percent Passing of First-Time Candidates Educated in NRB Jurisdictions
- Current Tuition Cost and Fee Schedule
Montgomery College in MD
- Degree: ASN
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 87% and 92.4%, depending on campus
- Tuition estimate: Montgomery County Residents: ~$180 per credit hour (~$2,697 for a 15-credit semester).Maryland State Residents: ~$346 per credit hour (~$5,199 for a 15-credit semester).Non-Maryland Residents: ~$475 per credit hour (~$7,125 for a 15-credit semester). The ASN program is 70 credit hours.
- Notable features: The ASN program at Montgomery College is noteworthy for its affordability and NCLEX-RN pass rate.
- Bridge pathway: Montgomery College offers 8 direct pathways for graduates to enter BSN programs, including a dual-admission program with the University of Maryland School of Nursing.
- Apply: Nursing Degree: Associate of Science
Sources:
Hutchinson Community College in KS
- Degree: AAS in Nursing
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: Hybrid
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 91.57% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: Kansas residents pay $136 per credit. Out-of-state residents pay $175 per credit.
- Notable features: Hutchinson Community College has high NCLEX-RN pass rates and affordable tuition for Kansas residents.
- Bridge pathway: Hutchinson Community College partners with the University of Kansas to enable students to complete both the ADN and the BSN simultaneously.
- Apply: Associate Degree Nursing
Sources:
Accelerated and flexible options
Some of these options are also accelerated and flexible.
Galen College of Nursing, multiple states
- Degree: ADN
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person, some courses may be offered online
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 79.69%-100% in 2025, depending on campus
- Tuition estimate: The total cost of the program is approximately $50,000.
- Notable features: Galen College of Nursing has 25 campuses nationwide and offers 4 start dates per year.
- Bridge pathway: Galen College offers an online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in 12-16 months.
- Apply: Associate Degree in Nursing
Sources:
Rasmussen University, multiple states
- Degree: ADN
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: Minimum 21 months
- Format: Hybrid
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 62.96%-87.50% in 2025, depending on the campus
- Tuition estimate: The full-time total cost of tuition is approximately $54,551.
- Notable features: The ADN program has no waitlists, no prerequisites, and multiple start dates during the year.
- Bridge pathway: Rasmussen University offers an online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in as little as 12-18 months.
- Apply: Professional Nursing: Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Source:
University of Charleston in WV
- Degree: ADN
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Length: 16 months
- Format: Hybrid
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 83% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: The approximate total program tuition is $23,700.
- Notable features: The ADN program is offered in a flexible, hybrid format and can be completed in only 16 months.
- Bridge pathway: The University of Charleston offers a 100% online RN-to-BSN program that can be completed in as little as 3 semesters.
- Apply: Associate Degree of Nursing (ADN)
Source:
Fresno City College in CA
- Degree: AS
- Accreditation: ACEN
- Length: 2 years
- Format: In person
- NCLEX-RN pass rate: 78.17% in 2025
- Tuition estimate: California residents pay $46 per unit. Out-of-state students pay $335 per unit.
- Notable features: The ASN program is highly affordable, especially for California residents.
- Bridge pathway: Graduates can apply to RN-to-BSN programs at nearby institutions such as California State University and Fresno Pacific University.
- Apply: Fresno City College Nursing
Source:
RN-to-BSN bridge programs explained
Once you have your ADN and RN license, the natural next question is what comes after—and for many nurses, the answer is a bachelor's degree earned through an RN-to-BSN bridge. These programs credit the coursework you already completed, so you are not starting over.
Here is what to expect:
- Bridge programs generally take 12 to 24 months to finish after you earn your ADN.
- RN-to-BSN programs are primarily online, making them compatible with a nurse's work schedule.
- ADN programs sometimes have partnerships with local universities for RN-to-BSN bridges.
- Hospitals may offer tuition reimbursement for nurses pursuing a BSN, which is one reason the ADN-first path is financially viable.
Some nurses continue their education with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or even a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) over the course of their careers.
How to choose an ADN program near you
If your state is not represented above, the same criteria still apply—you just have to run the checks yourself. Use this framework to evaluate any program near you before you apply.
- Check accreditation first: Only consider accredited programs.
- Look up NCLEX pass rates: Most state boards of nursing publish first-time pass rates by program, or search "[your state] board of nursing NCLEX pass rates by program."
- Ask about completion rates: A program with a 90% pass rate but a 50% completion rate is a red flag, because you have to finish to sit for the exam.
- Compare total cost, not just tuition: Add in fees, books, uniforms, clinical supplies, and transportation to clinical sites.
- Evaluate scheduling flexibility: Day versus evening and weekend classes matter a lot if you plan to work while in school.
- Confirm bridge pathways: Look for articulation agreements with nearby BSN programs.
- Visit if you can: Talk to current students about the quality of clinical placements and faculty support.
Take the next step toward your RN
Choosing the right ADN program is the first move—the credentials, bridge pathways, and specialization opportunities all open up once you are a licensed RN.
Focus your ADN selection process on accreditation, NCLEX pass rates, and a clear path to a bachelor's, and you will be set up to build the career you want.
Ready to pass the exam that makes it official?
Start with our NCLEX study guide and tips to prepare with confidence.
Sources:
.jpg){kind=avatar}
.jpg)
