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Best Nursing Schools in North Carolina (2026)

North Carolina has 224 nursing programs across 73 cities. 155 programs report NCLEX pass rates, averaging 94%. Below are the top-ranked programs based on NCLEX performance, tuition, and program type.

Search all North Carolina programsAll states
224
Total programs
6
Program types
94%
Avg NCLEX rate
155
With NCLEX data

Top BSN Programs in North Carolina by NCLEX Pass Rate

Ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate. Data sourced from state boards of nursing.

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University of North Carolina — BSN Program
BSN•Chapel Hill, NC•$48,000
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Top ADN, ABSN, MSN & DNP Programs in North Carolina by NCLEX Pass Rate

Non-BSN programs ranked by most recent NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate.

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Nursing Programs in North Carolina by Type

ADN
59 programs
Avg NCLEX: 95%
View ADN in North Carolina→All states
BSN
34 programs
Avg NCLEX: 93%
View BSN in North Carolina→All states
ABSN
8 programs
Avg NCLEX: 96%
View ABSN in North Carolina→All states
RN to BSN
19 programs
Avg NCLEX: 86%
View RN to BSN in North Carolina→All states
MSN
20 programs
Avg NCLEX: 91%
View MSN in North Carolina→All states
DNP
31 programs
Avg NCLEX: 96%
View DNP in North Carolina→All states

Most Affordable Nursing Schools in North Carolina

Sorted by lowest available tuition figure (total program or annual in-state).

Vance-Granville Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$1,956 in / $6,564 out
Vance-Granville Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,956 in / $6,564 out
McDowell Technical Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,958 in / $6,566 out
McDowell Technical Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$1,958 in / $6,566 out
Rockingham Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$1,966 in / $6,574 out
Rockingham Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,966 in / $6,574 out
Pitt Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,972 in / $6,580 out
Davidson-Davie Community College
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. • CERT
$1,978 in / $6,586 out
Davidson-Davie Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,978 in / $6,586 out
Durham Technical Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. • ADN
$1,986 in / $6,594 out

Frequently Asked Questions

How many nursing schools are in North Carolina?

There are 224 nursing programs in North Carolina, spanning 59 ADN, 34 BSN, 8 ABSN, 19 RN to BSN, 20 MSN, 31 DNP programs.

What is the average NCLEX pass rate in North Carolina?

Based on 155 programs with reported data, the average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate in North Carolina is 94%. The highest rate is 100% at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

What is the cheapest nursing school in North Carolina?

The most affordable option is Vance-Granville Community College (CERT) at $1,956 in / $6,564 out.

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