2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington
With all the nursing programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Also there are many trade schools and bpptcamp that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This report analyzed 25 schools in Washington to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school us, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Highline College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in Washington.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,344 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Highline. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,813. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,827 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Highline, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 25 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle Central College landed the # 2 spot on the list.
The average tuition and fees at Seattle Central is $4,670. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,671 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Seattle Central does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bellevue College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,057 in tuition and fees if they attend BC full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,594. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,785 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Centralia College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $4,770 in tuition and fees if they attend Centralia College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,239. On average, associate degree students take out $12,250 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Centralia College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia Basin College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CBC is $5,959. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,735. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,312 in student loans.
CBC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #6, Shoreline Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from Washington who attend Shoreline Community College full time pay an average of $4,166 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,013. Associate Degree recipients from Shoreline Community College accumulate an average of $19,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 51% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Everett Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Washington who attend Everett Community College full time pay an average of $4,062 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,597. On average, associate degree students take out $14,889 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Everett Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Wenatchee Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,320 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WVC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,734. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,116 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at WVC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #9 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LWTech is $4,609. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,146. Associate Degree recipients from LWTech accumulate an average of $18,212 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LWTech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Charter College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,112 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Charter College. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Walla Walla Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
On average, associate degree students take out $19,336 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Walla Walla Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 53% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Tacoma Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $4,929 in tuition and fees if they attend Tacoma Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,391. Associate Degree recipients from Tacoma Community College accumulate an average of $18,893 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Tacoma Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 85% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lower Columbia College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,182 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend LCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,403. On average, associate degree students take out $15,286 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Yakima Valley College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Students from Washington who attend YVC full time pay an average of $4,883 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,352. On average, associate degree students take out $16,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at YVC. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Clark College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list.
Students from Washington who attend Clark College full time pay an average of $4,529 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,133. Associate Degree recipients from Clark College accumulate an average of $16,435 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Clark College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Spokane Community College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $3,826 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Spokane Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,135. Associate Degree recipients from Spokane Community College accumulate an average of $19,615 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Spokane Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Olympic College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list.
Students from Washington who attend OC full time pay an average of $4,101 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,638. On average, associate degree students take out $13,984 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at OC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.
Skagit Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Skagit Valley College is $4,431. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,507. Associate Degree recipients from Skagit Valley College accumulate an average of $14,784 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Skagit Valley College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 75% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Whatcom Community College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Whatcom Community College is $4,868. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,473. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,808 in student loans.
Whatcom Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #20, Big Bend Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,629 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Big Bend Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,098. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,909 in student loans.
Big Bend Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 85% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Grays Harbor College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,503 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend GHC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,040. Associate Degree recipients from GHC accumulate an average of $14,310 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at GHC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 82% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Bellingham Technical College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,004 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,227.
Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 72% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
South Puget Sound Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list.
In-state students pay an average of $4,795 in tuition and fees if they attend South Puget Sound Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,428. Associate Degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College accumulate an average of $16,096 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
South Puget Sound Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Renton Technical College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
In-state students pay an average of $5,671 in tuition and fees if they attend Renton Technical College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,131. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,632 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Renton Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Peninsula College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Peninsula College is $4,317. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,779. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,290 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Peninsula College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 72% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.