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. Highline is located in Des Moines, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 893 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,458 in tuition and fees if they attend Highline full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,948. On average, associate degree students take out $10,593 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Highline does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Seattle Central College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 840 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,865 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Seattle Central. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,354. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,264 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Seattle Central, 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, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Bellevue College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This fairly large public school is located in Bellevue, Washington, and it awarded 1,783 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend BC full time pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,838. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BC. In 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
The excellent associate degree programs at Centralia College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington. Centralia College is located in Centralia, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 372 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,891 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Centralia College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,381.
Centralia College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia Basin College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. CBC is located in Pasco, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,225 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend CBC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,738. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,781 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at CBC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Shoreline Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Shoreline Community College is a small public school located in Shoreline, Washington that handed out 746 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Shoreline Community College is $4,256. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,082. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,170 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Shoreline Community College. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Everett Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,060 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Everett Community College full time pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,831. On average, associate degree students take out $12,892 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Everett Community College. In 2020-2021 about 86% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #8, Wenatchee Valley College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school awarded 702 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,968 in tuition and fees if they attend WVC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,458. Associate Degree recipients from WVC accumulate an average of $12,181 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WVC 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 2020-2021 about 92% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. Located in Kirkland, Washington, the small public school handed out 497 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend LWTech full time pay an average of $4,710 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,390. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,874 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LWTech. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 54% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Charter College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Vancouver, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 214 students in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Charter College accumulate an average of $22,050 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Since Charter College is primarily an online school, it is an excellent choice for undergraduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.
Walla Walla Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and it awarded 571 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,364 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Walla Walla Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 55% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Tacoma Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Tacoma Community College full time pay an average of $4,901 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,649. On average, associate degree students take out $15,114 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Tacoma Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 92% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Lower Columbia College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. LCC is a small public school situated in Longview, Washington. It awarded 491 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend LCC full time pay an average of $4,261 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,514. On average, associate degree students take out $12,881 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since LCC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
Yakima 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 #14 on the list. Yakima Valley College is a small public school located in Yakima, Washington that handed out 697 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend YVC full time pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,488. On average, associate degree students take out $14,351 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at YVC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Clark College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Vancouver, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,332 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Clark College is $4,529. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,133. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,817 in student loans.
Clark College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Spokane Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Spokane Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Spokane, Washington. It awarded 1,134 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Spokane Community College full time pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,278. Associate Degree recipients from Spokane Community College accumulate an average of $18,221 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. In fact, around 50% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Olympic 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 #17 on the list. Olympic College is a small public school located in Bremerton, Washington that handed out 1,230 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OC is $4,472. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,740. On average, associate degree students take out $12,828 in loans while pursuing their degree.
OC 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 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Skagit Valley College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Skagit Valley College is a small public school situated in Mount Vernon, Washington. It awarded 626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,748 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Skagit Valley College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,888. Associate Degree recipients from Skagit Valley College accumulate an average of $13,970 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Skagit Valley College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Whatcom Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. This small public school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 744 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,982 in tuition and fees if they attend Whatcom Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,731. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,326 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Whatcom Community College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 86% took at least some of their classes online.
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. Big Bend Community College is a small public school situated in Moses Lake, Washington. It awarded 447 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Big Bend Community College full time pay an average of $4,744 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,234. Associate Degree recipients from Big Bend Community College accumulate an average of $12,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Big Bend Community College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #21, Grays Harbor College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Aberdeen, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 294 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GHC is $4,605. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,284. On average, associate degree students take out $12,248 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GHC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 66% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bellingham Technical 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 #22 on the list. Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute is located in Bellingham, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 389 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $4,095 in tuition and fees if they attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $5,357.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. South Puget Sound Community College is a small public school located in Olympia, Washington that handed out 1,056 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at South Puget Sound Community College is $4,938. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,687. On average, associate degree students take out $13,240 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at South Puget Sound Community College. In fact, around 85% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Renton Technical 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 #24 on the list. Renton Technical College is located in Renton, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 207 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Washington who attend Renton Technical College full time pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,252. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,869 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Renton Technical College. In 2020-2021 about 49% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Peninsula College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Port Angeles, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 355 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,439 in tuition and fees if they attend Peninsula College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $4,919. Associate Degree recipients from Peninsula College accumulate an average of $15,409 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Peninsula College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
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.
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