2023 Best Nursing Bachelor's 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Our analysis looked at 19 schools in Washington to see which bachelor's degree programs offered the best educational experiences 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 Bachelor's Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Gonzaga University to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Washington. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 1,289 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Gonzaga, expect to pay an average of $50,735 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Gonzaga accumulate an average of $19,864 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Gonzaga. During the 2020-2021 year, about 0% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Out of the 19 schools in Washington that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Tacoma Campus landed the # 2 spot on the list. UW Tacoma is a public institution located in Tacoma, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,489 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at UW Tacoma is $12,458. Out-of-state students pay an average of $40,956. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $15,052 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at UW Tacoma, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2020-2021 about 46% 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 University of Washington - Bothell Campus. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Bothell, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,863 students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $12,224 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UW Bothell. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $40,722. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from UW Bothell accumulate an average of $15,034 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at UW Bothell. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 17% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Read full report on University of Washington - Bothell Campus
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school handed out 9,719 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $12,242 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend UW Seattle. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $40,740. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,616 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at UW Seattle. During the 2020-2021 year, about 21% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Seattle University helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington. Located in Seattle, Washington, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,375 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Seattle U is $51,324. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Seattle U accumulate an average of $19,744 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Seattle U 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 50% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Washington State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Pullman, Washington, the large public school awarded 6,178 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend Wazzu full time pay an average of $12,701 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $28,385. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Wazzu accumulate an average of $20,222 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Wazzu 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 29% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Seattle Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 735 students in 2021-2022.
SPU does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $37,158. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,687 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SPU does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #8, Pacific Lutheran University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. PLU is located in Tacoma, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 616 bachelor’s degrees to qualified students.
If you want to attend PLU, expect to pay an average of $50,256 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,319 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PLU. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 5% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, Saint Martin’s University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Saint Martin’s is a private not-for-profit institution located in Lacey, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 296 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Saint Martin’s, expect to pay an average of $42,220 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,758 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Saint Martin’s does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 39% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Western Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. WWU is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 3,467 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend WWU full time pay an average of $8,967 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $26,873. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from WWU accumulate an average of $18,507 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
WWU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 6% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Eastern Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Cheney, Washington, and it awarded 2,202 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $8,139 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend EWU. Out-of-state students pay an average of $26,499. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,890 in student loans.
EWU does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 52% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Heritage University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Heritage University is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Toppenish, Washington. It awarded 213 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $16,837 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Heritage University does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 15% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #13, Whitworth University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Spokane, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 643 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
The average tuition and fees at Whitworth is $48,990. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from Whitworth accumulate an average of $23,062 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Whitworth. In 2020-2021 about 9% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Walla Walla University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get a bachelor’s degree. It came in at #14 on the list. This small private not-for-profit school is located in College Place, Washington, and it awarded 304 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend Walla Walla U, expect to pay an average of $31,758 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $25,705 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Walla Walla U does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2020-2021 year, about 25% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Northwest University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 227 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
Northwest University does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $35,000. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, bachelor’s degree students take out $22,797 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Northwest University does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 30% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bellevue College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington list. Located in Bellevue, Washington, the fairly large public school handed out 346 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from Washington pay an average of $4,159 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend BC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,838. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,646 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BC. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #17, Columbia Basin College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their bachelor’s degree. Located in Pasco, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 152 bachelor’s degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from Washington who attend CBC full time pay an average of $5,959 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,738. By the time they get their bachelor’s degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,790 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Wenatchee Valley College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school awarded 23 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,968 in tuition and fees if they attend WVC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,458. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from WVC accumulate an average of $17,917 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 WVC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 92% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Olympic College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Washington ranking. OC is a small public school situated in Bremerton, Washington. It awarded 74 bachelor’s degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at OC is $4,472. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,740. Bachelor’s Degree recipients from OC accumulate an average of $15,326 in student debt by the time they complete 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. 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.
Best Nursing Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 19 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.