Marywood University Reports Perfect Pass Rates Across Multiple Health Sciences Programs PA, Nursing, RT, and Counseling graduates achieve 100 percent on national certifying exams

Four of Marywood University’s clinical health sciences programs, including Physician Assistant, Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, and Counseling were recently notified that their graduates achieved perfect pass rates on their respective national qualifying examinations.

Marywood University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program earned an overall perfect pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the national certifying examination required for licensure in all fifty states. The program’s overall pass rate of 100 percent, which it has maintained for six consecutive years, includes a first‑time pass rate of 100 percent for its most recent graduating class. The national mean overall pass rate for 2025 was 88.4 percent overall and 91.5 percent for first-time test takers; national pass rates for 2026 are still being processed. The overall PANCE pass rate reflects all exam attempts, while the first‑time pass rate includes only candidates who sat for the exam once. 

Marywood’s nursing program was notified that its 2026 graduating class also achieved a perfect 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). This result significantly exceeds the year‑to‑date national average of 88 percent for first‑time U.S. educated nursing candidates. The NCLEX-RN uses computerized adaptive testing to ensure valid and reliable measurement of nursing competence. This marks the fourth consecutive year in which Marywood nursing graduates have achieved a perfect pass rate for first-time test takers.

Graduates of Marywood’s Respiratory Therapy (RT) program from the Class of 2026 attained a 100 percent first‑time High Cut Score pass rate on the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) Therapist Multiple‑Choice Examination, far exceeding the national first-time passing percentage of 68 percent in 2025, highlighting the exceptional performance of Marywood’s graduates. Achieving the High Cut Score earns the Certified Respiratory Therapist (CRT) credential and grants eligibility for the Clinical Simulation Examination to pursue the Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) credential. Reaching this threshold on the first attempt reflects sustained effort in both classroom and clinical settings and demonstrates readiness to provide exceptional patient care as future respiratory therapists.

Marywood’s most recent Counseling program graduates also achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Counselor Exam (NCE), fulfilling the examination requirement for professional counselor licensure and eligibility for the National Certified Counselor (NCC) credential.

“The perfect pass rate on the PANCE for our physician assistants, as well as the 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX for our nurses, the High Cut Score on the NBRC for RT graduates, and NCE for counselors, demonstrates that Marywood University consistently produces top graduates in health sciences who score well above the national average in their respective fields of practice,” said Shelby Yeager, Ph.D., Academic Vice President and Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “We are tremendously proud of our graduates and continuously strive to maintain that standard of excellence through the academic and clinical rigor of our health sciences programs.”

For additional information about these programs and Marywood’s College of Health Sciences, please visit marywood.edu/academics/affairs/colleges/health-sciences.