Nursing Schools in Arkansas: All 83 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates
Arkansas has 57 schools running 83 board-approved nursing programs — 42 RN-track and 40 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across Arkansas programs is 85.7%, 0.8 points below the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.
83
Approved programs
57
Schools
85.7%
Avg RN pass rate (2025)
86.5%
National RN average
Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas by NCLEX Pass Rate
Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding.
- 1100%Arkansas Tech UniversityRussellville · Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 2100%Arkansas Tech University-OzarkOzark · Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 3100%Harding UniversitySearcy · Master's Entry into Practice (pre-licensure RN)
- 4100%Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia · Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 5100%Southern Arkansas UniversityMagnolia · Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 697.5%University of Arkansas at Fort SmithFort Smith · Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 796.5%University of Arkansas Community College at MorriltonMorrilton · Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 895.8%Baptist Health College Little RockLittle Rock · Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 993.8%Ar Rural Nursing Education ConsortiumNashville · Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program
- 1093.6%Harding UniversitySearcy · Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program
Every Approved Nursing Program in Arkansas
Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.
83 of 83 programs · “—” = no 2025 first-time pass rate published by the board
| Ar Rural Nursing Education Consortium | Nashville | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 93.8% |
| Arkansas Health Care Association – Little Rock | Little Rock | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | — |
| Arkansas Northeastern College-Blytheville | Blytheville | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 91.3% |
| Arkansas Northeastern College-Blytheville | Blytheville | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 93.7% |
| Arkansas State University | State University | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 82.5% |
| Arkansas State University | State University | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 93.4% |
| Arkansas State University Beebe | Searcy | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| Arkansas State University Newport | Jonesboro | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| Arkansas State University-Beebe | Searcy | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 87.5% |
| Arkansas State University-Beebe | Searcy | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| Arkansas State University-Mountain Home | Mountain Home | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 77.5% |
| Arkansas State University-Mt. Home | Mt. Home | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 71.7% |
| Arkansas State University-Newport | Newport | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 74.7% |
| Arkansas State University-Three Rivers | Malvern | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 78.8% |
| Arkansas State University-Three Rivers | Malvern | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 97.3% |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 100% |
| Arkansas Tech University-Ozark | Ozark | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 100% |
| Arkansas Tech University-Ozark | Ozark | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 95.8% |
| Baptist Health College Little Rock | Little Rock | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| Baptist Health College-Little Rock | Little Rock | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 96% |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 88.8% |
| Black River Technical College | Pocahontas | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| Harding University | Searcy | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 93.6% |
| Harding University | Searcy | Master's Entry into Practice (pre-licensure RN)RN | 100% |
| Henderson State University | Arkadelphia | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 73% |
| Jefferson Regional School of Nursing | Pine Bluff | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 90.7% |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 91.3% |
| National Park College | Hot Springs | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 87.5% |
| National Park College | Hot Springs | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 95.8% |
| North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas | Harrison | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 90.9% |
| North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas | Harrison | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas | Leslie | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| North Arkansas College of the University of Arkansas | Harrison | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 85.1% |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College | Springdale | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| Northwest Arkansas Community College | Bentonville | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | — |
| Northwest Technical Institute | Springdale | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 92.8% |
| Ouachita Baptist University | Arkadelphia | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 100% |
| Ozarka College | Melbourne | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 90.6% |
| Ozarka College | Melbourne | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 91% |
| Philander Smith University | Little Rock | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | — |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | Helena-West Helena | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 76.4% |
| Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas | DeWitt | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | — |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| South Arkansas College | El Dorado | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 91.4% |
| Southeast Arkansas College | Pine Bluff | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 85.7% |
| Southeast Arkansas College – Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 14.8% |
| Southern Arkansas University | Magnolia | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 100% |
| Southern Arkansas University Tech | Camden | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 85.7% |
| Southern Arkansas University-Technical | Camden | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 88.8% |
| University of Ar Rich Mountain | Mena | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | — |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 86.8% |
| University of Arkansas at Fort Smith | Fort Smith | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | — |
| University of Arkansas at Fort Smith | Fort Smith | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 97.5% |
| University of Arkansas at Fort Smith | Fort Smith | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| University of Arkansas at Fort Smith | Fort Smith | Practical Nursing ProgramPN | 93.3% |
| University of Arkansas at Hope-Texarkana | Hope | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 89.2% |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing Program | — |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 85.7% |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello | Monticello | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 90% |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology – Crossett | Crossett | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology – McGehee | McGehee | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology-Crossett | Crossett | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 85.7% |
| University of Arkansas at Monticello-College of Technology-Mcgehee | McGehee | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 53.3% |
| University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville | Batesville | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 85% |
| University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton | Morrilton | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 96.5% |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville | Batesville | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 100% |
| University of Arkansas Cossatot | DeQueen | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 96% |
| University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City | Associate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 69.2% |
| University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| University of Arkansas East Arkansas Community College | Forrest City | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 90% |
| University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences | Little Rock | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 89.4% |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES (Accelerated Pre-licensure BSN Program) | Fayetteville | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | — |
| University of Arkansas Rich Mountain | Mena | High School Practical Nursing ProgramPN | — |
| University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical | North Little Rock | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 79.4% |
| University of Arkansas-Rich Mountain | Mena | PRACTICAL NURSE PROGRAMPN | 86.6% |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway | Baccalaureate Degree Registered Nursing ProgramRN | 88.7% |
Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line
The pass rates above are made by students, not buildings. Students who do well start NCLEX-style practice in their first semester — studying for class exams and the boards at the same time. NurseSavvy turns your own course materials into matched NCLEX practice questions from day one, for $19/mo after a free 14-day trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nursing school in Arkansas by NCLEX pass rate?
5 RN programs in Arkansas tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Arkansas Tech University in Russellville — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.
How many nursing schools are in Arkansas?
Arkansas has 57 schools offering 83 board-approved nursing programs: 42 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 40 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Arkansas?
Across Arkansas RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 85.7% — 0.8 points below the national average of 86.5%.
What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?
It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.
About this data
Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the Arkansas board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: Roster: live page 2026-07-13; rates: ASBN 5-yr report '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025 — exact 2025 period not stated)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: ASBN 5-yr pass-rate report, '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: Roster: live page 2026-07-13; rates: ASBN 5-yr report '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025 — exact 2025 period not stated)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: ASBN 5-yr pass-rate report, '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: Roster: live page 2026-07-13; rates: ASBN 5-yr report '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025 — exact 2025 period not stated)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: Roster: live page 2026-07-13; rates: ASBN 5-yr report '2025' column (PDF rev 8/18/2025 per filename, created 7/31/2025 — exact 2025 period not stated)
- healthy.arkansas.gov — list: Live page 2026-07-13
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