South University Nursing Scores Soar Amidst Critical Shortage

SAVANNAH, GA – March 16, 2026 – South University is celebrating a series of exceptional pass rates on the 2025 National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), with several of its campuses reporting results that significantly outpace both state and national averages. The achievement comes as the healthcare industry grapples with a persistent and critical shortage of qualified nurses, positioning the university's graduates to step directly into high-demand roles.

Among the most notable results, the university’s Orlando campus achieved a perfect 100% pass rate for the third consecutive year. The Savannah campus matched this performance, with its first-ever cohort of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates also securing a 100% pass rate. Other Florida campuses followed with strong showings, including West Palm Beach at 96.88% and Tampa at 91.67%.

“These results are a testament to the hard work of our students and the unwavering commitment of our nursing faculty,” Benjamin J. DeGweck, CEO and Chancellor of South University, stated in a press release. “When our graduates pass the NCLEX and enter the workforce as registered nurses, they’re not just achieving a personal milestone…they’re joining the front lines of healthcare at a time when skilled professionals are needed more than ever.”

A Performance Above the Curve

South University's 2025 pass rates are particularly striking when placed in a broader context. According to preliminary data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the national pass rate for first-time, U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates in 2025 was 86.7%. South University’s four reporting campuses all exceeded this benchmark, with Orlando and Savannah achieving flawless scores.

The results are equally competitive at the state level. In Georgia, where the statewide average NCLEX pass rate was 92.14% in 2024, South University’s Savannah campus performance sets a high bar. Similarly, in Florida—a state that ranked last nationally for first-time pass rates in 2024 at 84.9%—the university's Orlando, West Palm Beach, and Tampa campuses far surpassed the state's recent average. Their performance places them in the same elite tier as some of the most competitive programs in the region, including the University of Tampa and Florida Gulf Coast University, which have also reported perfect or near-perfect pass rates.

University officials attribute this success to a focused educational model that combines rigorous coursework with extensive hands-on training. “Our faculty are deeply invested in each student's success,” said Dr. Michelle Krawczyk, Dean of the College of Nursing and Public Health. “We work to ensure our students have the knowledge, clinical skills, and critical thinking abilities they need to provide exceptional patient care.”

Filling a Critical Void in Healthcare

The high performance of these nursing graduates is not just an academic victory; it's a direct response to a pressing public health need. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to project faster-than-average growth for registered nursing positions, a trend amplified in states like Florida and Georgia.

Florida, with its large and growing elderly population, is facing a significant nursing deficit. Projections indicate the state could be short nearly 23,500 registered nurses by 2037 as demand continues to outpace the supply of new graduates. The situation is also urgent in Georgia, which faced a projected 12% nursing shortage in 2023. In this environment, healthcare employers, particularly hospitals seeking prestigious Magnet designation, increasingly prefer or require nurses with a BSN degree for their advanced training in leadership and complex patient care.

South University's focus on producing BSN-prepared graduates positions it as a key contributor to the regional healthcare workforce. “When employers hire a South University nursing graduate, they know they’re getting a professional who has been trained to the highest standards,” DeGweck noted.

A Complex Institutional Backdrop

While the university's nursing programs deliver stellar results, the institution itself has navigated a complex regulatory and financial landscape. South University, which is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), had its accreditation reaffirmed for 10 years in December 2024. However, this reaffirmation also saw the university removed from a "Warning status" and required the submission of a Monitoring Report, indicating continued oversight.

For years, the university has been under "Heightened Cash Monitoring 1" by the U.S. Department of Education, a status that requires additional scrutiny over its handling of federal student aid funds. This stems from a history that includes its former parent company, Education Management Corporation (EDMC), which in 2011 was part of a nearly $100 million settlement with the Department of Justice over allegations of predatory recruitment practices.

More recently, the institution has faced legal challenges, including a 2021 class-action lawsuit related to alleged robocalls for student recruitment. These historical and ongoing issues present a layered backdrop to the university's current academic achievements.

The Student Perspective

For the students themselves, the experience within South University's nursing programs appears to be a spectrum. Online forums and review sites feature testimonials from alumni who praise the preparation they received for the NCLEX and their subsequent careers. Some graduates highlight the professionalism of the instructors and the extensive clinical hours that prepared them for real-world practice, with one graduate from another campus noting a near-100% job placement rate for their cohort.

However, other reviews reflect significant challenges. Several current and former students have raised concerns about the high cost of tuition, which they felt was not always matched by the level of support provided. Complaints about poor communication between administrative departments, last-minute changes to program structures, and rigid academic policies have also been noted. One recent review from a student in a BSN cohort described feeling like a test subject for "experimental changes" that disrupted the learning process.

This mixture of pride and frustration paints a picture of an institution that is successfully producing highly competent nurses, even as some students feel the journey to get there is fraught with administrative hurdles. For now, the numbers speak for themselves, sending a new class of highly qualified nurses to the front lines of a healthcare system that eagerly awaits them.