Nursing Schools in Washington, D.C.: All 10 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates
Washington, D.C. has 9 schools running 10 board-approved nursing programs — 7 RN-track and 3 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across Washington, D.C. programs is 89.8%, 3.3 points above 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.
Best Nursing Schools in Washington, D.C. 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%Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRNWashington · BSN
- 2100%Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRNWashington · CNL
- 3100%Saint Michael College of Allied Health – ADNWashington · ADN
- 488.8%The Catholic University of America School of Nursing - BSN, APRNWashington · BSN
- 586.8%Howard University Division of Nursing - BSN, APRNWashington · BSN
- 682.1%University of the District of Columbia*Washington · ADN
- 770.7%Trinity Washington University BSNWashington · BSN
Every Approved Nursing Program in Washington, D.C.
Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.
10 of 10 programs · “—” = no 2025 first-time pass rate published by the board
| Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRN | Washington | BSNRN | 100% |
| Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRN | Washington | CNLRN | 100% |
| Howard University Division of Nursing - BSN, APRN | Washington | BSNRN | 86.8% |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Washington | Practical NursingPN | 95% |
| Saint Michael College of Allied Health – ADN | Washington | ADNRN | 100% |
| Strayer University | Washington | Practical NursingPN | — |
| The Catholic University of America School of Nursing - BSN, APRN | Washington | BSNRN | 88.8% |
| Trinity Washington University BSN | Washington | BSNRN | 70.7% |
| Udc | Washington | PN (appears in 2025 NCLEX-PN pass-rate table only)PN | 100% |
| University of the District of Columbia*Conditional | Washington | ADNRN | 82.1% |
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 Washington, D.C. by NCLEX pass rate?
3 RN programs in Washington, D.C. tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRN in Washington — 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 Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. has 9 schools offering 10 board-approved nursing programs: 7 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 3 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Washington, D.C.?
Across Washington, D.C. RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 89.8% — 3.3 points above 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 Washington, D.C. 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.
- dchealth.dc.gov — list: Approved list: BON approved 9/4/2025, Updated 9/03/2025 (TAF); pass rates Jan 1, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025