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.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Highline College the best school in Washington for nursing students working on their associate degree. Des Moines, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 893 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,458 in tuition and fees if they attend Highline full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,948. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,593 in student loans.
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.
The excellent associate degree programs at Seattle Central College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington. Seattle Central College is a small public school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 840 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Seattle Central is $4,865. Out-of-state students 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Seattle Central. In 2020-2021 about 63% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. BC is located in Bellevue, Washington and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,783 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,838. On average, associate degree students take out $14,298 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at BC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Centralia College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Centralia College is a public institution located in Centralia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 372 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Centralia College full time pay an average of $4,891 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,381.
Centralia 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 2020-2021 year, about 63% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Columbia Basin College helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington. Columbia Basin College is a medium-sized public school located in Pasco, Washington that handed out 1,225 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at CBC is $5,959. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,738. On average, associate degree students take out $12,781 in loans while pursuing their degree.
CBC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Shoreline Community College is a small public school situated in Shoreline, Washington. It awarded 746 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Shoreline Community College full time pay an average of $4,256 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,082. On average, associate degree students take out $15,170 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Shoreline Community College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 47% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #7, Everett Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,060 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,152 in tuition and fees if they attend Everett Community College full time. 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.
One thing to take note of is that Everett Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 86% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wenatchee Valley College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school handed out 702 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,968 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WVC. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at WVC. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Kirkland, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 497 students in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LWTech is $4,710. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,390. Associate Degree recipients from LWTech accumulate an average of $12,874 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at LWTech. During the 2020-2021 year, about 54% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Charter 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 #10 on the list. Charter College is a small private for-profit school located in Vancouver, Washington that handed out 214 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,050 in student loans.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Charter College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Walla Walla Community College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Walla Walla, Washington, and it awarded 571 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,364 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Walla Walla Community College. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Tacoma Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Tacoma Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 1,051 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,901 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Tacoma Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,649. Associate Degree recipients from Tacoma Community College accumulate an average of $15,114 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 Tacoma Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 92% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Lower Columbia College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Longview, Washington, and 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.
Some students may be able to take online classes at LCC. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. This small public school is located in Yakima, Washington, and it awarded 697 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,998 in tuition and fees if they attend YVC full time. Out-of-state students 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. In fact, around 99% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. Clark College is a medium-sized public school located in Vancouver, Washington that handed out 1,332 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Clark College full time pay an average of $4,529 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 91% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #16, Spokane Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Spokane Community College is located in Spokane, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,134 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Washington who attend Spokane Community College full time pay an average of $3,928 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,278. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,221 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Spokane Community College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2020-2021 year, about 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Olympic College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Bremerton, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,230 students 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.
One thing to take note of is that OC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Skagit Valley College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington list. Skagit Valley College is a public institution located in Mount Vernon, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 626 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Skagit Valley College full time pay an average of $4,748 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,888. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,970 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Skagit Valley College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 64% 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. Whatcom Community College is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a small population, 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. Associate Degree recipients from Whatcom Community College accumulate an average of $13,326 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Whatcom Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. 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.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,744 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Big Bend Community College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,234. On average, associate degree students take out $12,378 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity 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.
Grays Harbor College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Located in Aberdeen, Washington, the small public school awarded 294 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend GHC full time pay an average of $4,605 in tuition and fees. 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.
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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 66% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #22, Bellingham Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 389 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,095 in tuition and fees if they attend Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $5,357.
Online courses are available at Bellingham Vocational Technical Institute, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 73% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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 public institution located in Olympia, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,056 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend South Puget Sound Community College full time pay an average of $4,938 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,687. Associate Degree recipients from South Puget Sound Community College accumulate an average of $13,240 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
South Puget Sound Community College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 85% took at least some of their classes online.
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, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 207 students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees if they attend Renton Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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.
Renton Technical 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 2020-2021 year, about 49% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Peninsula 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 #25 on the list. Peninsula College is a public institution located in Port Angeles, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 355 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,439 in tuition and fees if they attend Peninsula College full time. Out-of-state students 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.
One thing to take note of is that Peninsula College does offer online classes in some areas. 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
View Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools Nationwide >
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.
NursingDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© NursingDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.