BGSU nursing program achieves 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate

The distinction was earned by the program’s fourth cohort, which graduated in December 2025

The Bachelor of Science in nursing program at Bowling Green State University recently achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), marking a significant milestone in the program’s early history and placing it among the top programs in Ohio.

This represents the program’s first time earning a 100% pass rate on the national licensure exam, achieved by the fourth cohort, which graduated in December 2025.

“We are committed to preparing BGSU students to enter the workforce career-ready, which means continually evaluating and strengthening how we support their learning,” said Lisa Jacobs, director of the BGSU School of Nursing. “Achieving a 100% first-time pass rate within the program’s first five years reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our approach to student success and the hard work of our students.”

The School of Nursing enrolled its first cohort in 2021, and its NCLEX pass rate has risen consistently since the first class graduated in 2023.

Earning a 100% pass rate in Fall 2025 placed Bowling Green’s BSN program in the top 12% of programs in Ohio.

In just six years, the BGSU School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services has built an impressive reputation for producing highly qualified graduates prepared to meet the demands of today’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Nearly 100% of BGSU nursing students are employed at graduation, with about three-fourths securing conditional job offers months before earning their degrees.

In addition to classroom learning, students apply their skills in a 29-bed skills lab open to students at all times of day and in a four-bed high-fidelity simulation lab, where they can practice real-world scenarios and participate in debriefing sessions. Students also complete clinical placements through the University’s regional and statewide partnerships.

As part of the University’s commitment to career prep – ranked No. 1 in Ohio – the nursing program regularly invites local and regional healthcare representatives, including those from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, to campus to speak to nursing students about career opportunities.

High demand for the program led to expanding spring enrollment to 80 students, matching fall enrollment and increasing the number of nursing graduates entering the workforce across the state.