Published on March 27, 2026

In 2025, Lake Land College nursing program graduates achieved a collective 95% pass rate on their national NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-LPN licensing exams.

This outstanding pass rate is far above the national and statewide averages for both exams. According to the Illinois Nursing Workforce Center, the 2025 pass rates for the NCLEX-RN exam were 87% nationally and 85% statewide, while the respective national and state pass rates for the NCLEX-LPN exam were 87% and 88%.

Known for its academic rigor and excellent student performance, the Lake Land College nursing programs have long prepared students to serve their communities in high-demand healthcare careers. Lake Land offers nursing courses at both its campus in Mattoon and at the Effingham Technology Center in Effingham, with both locations offering state-of-the-art labs, training equipment and high-fidelity patient simulators.

“We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements and the exceptional quality of education our nursing program provides,” said Cassandra Porter, Director of Nursing Programs. “We look forward to remaining at the forefront of nursing education and continuing relationships with our community clinical partners.”

The remarkable pass rates among Lake Land College nursing graduates are bolstered by a dedicated team of 17 expert faculty members and a specially trained Simulation Lab Nurse, whose combined experience exceeds 300 years of nursing practice. Together, these faculty facilitate an environment where students receive in-depth guidance and hands-on experience necessary for success in a vital career field.

“Our faculty are very committed to student success,” Porter added. “While we are blessed to offer instruction in state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and even healthcare facilities, our true strength is the personalized relationship faculty have with students. It is not uncommon to see faculty members staying after class or meeting in their office to provide personalized guidance to their students.”

Lake Land College nursing offers the following programs for students to begin or advance their healthcare careers: basic nurse assisting, licensed practical nursing, associate degree nursing, and licensed practical nursing to associate degree bridge program.

To learn more about Lake Land College nursing programs, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Guided-Pathways/Area-of-Study-Health-and-Public-Services/.

For more information, contact Porter at cporter@lakelandcollege.edu or the Lake Land College Allied Health Department at healthmajors@lakelandcollege.edu.