2023 Best Nursing 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.
The Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 41 schools in Washington to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Top Nursing Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Gonzaga University to be the best school for nursing students in Washington. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Spokane, Washington, and it awarded 2,174 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Gonzaga accumulate an average of $42,915 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $833 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Gonzaga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,213 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Washington - Tacoma Campus. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,859 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $24,354 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $288.After graduating from UW Tacoma, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,004 during the early years of their career.
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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 Schools in Washington list. UW Bothell is located in Bothell, Washington and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,103 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $22,668 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $291 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Bothell graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,527 during the early year of their career.
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The excellent programs at Seattle University helped the school earn the #4 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 2,496 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $47,167 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $886. During the early years of their career, Seattle U graduates make an average of $51,066 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in Washington list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 15,671 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $38,577 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $329, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Seattle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,782 during the early year of their career.
Read full report on University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Washington State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 9,043 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Wazzu accumulate an average of $27,795 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $390, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Wazzu graduates make an average of $49,774 annually.
With a ranking of #7, Seattle Pacific University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,364 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SPU accumulate an average of $52,535 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $526 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from SPU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,703 during the early years of their career.
Highline College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. Highline College is a small public school located in Des Moines, Washington that handed out 1,145 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,593 in student loans.After graduating from Highline, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,918 during the early years of their career.
Pacific Lutheran University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #9 on the list. Pacific Lutheran University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 783 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from PLU accumulate an average of $37,184 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $387 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, PLU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,047 during the early year of their career.
Saint Martin’s University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Lacey, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 469 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,414 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Saint Martin’s graduates make an average of $50,383 annually.
Centralia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in Centralia, Washington, the small public school handed out 555 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Centralia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,843 during the early years of their career.
Western Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Located in Bellingham, Washington, the fairly large public school handed out 3,831 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from WWU accumulate an average of $20,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $281. During the early years of their career, WWU graduates make an average of $36,481 annually.
Eastern Washington University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list. EWU is a fairly large public school situated in Cheney, Washington. It awarded 3,463 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $25,029 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $192, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from EWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,008 during the early years of their career.
Heritage University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list. Located in Toppenish, Washington, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 263 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $37,389 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Heritage University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,496 during the early year of their career.
Seattle Central College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school handed out 1,229 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,676 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Seattle Central graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,258 during the early year of their career.
Whitworth University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Whitworth is a private not-for-profit institution located in Spokane, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 811 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Whitworth accumulate an average of $34,672 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $700, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Whitworth graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,444 during the early year of their career.
Bellevue College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Bellevue, Washington, the fairly large public school handed out 2,387 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,041 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, BC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,966 during the early year of their career.
Walla Walla University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Walla Walla U is a private not-for-profit institution located in College Place, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 422 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $37,501 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Walla Walla U graduates make an average of $44,752 annually.
Northwest University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Kirkland, Washington that handed out 425 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,489 in student loans.After graduating from Northwest University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,507 during the early years of their career.
Shoreline Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list. This small public school is located in Shoreline, Washington, and it awarded 1,189 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Shoreline Community College accumulate an average of $15,170 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Shoreline Community College graduates make an average of $50,689 annually.
With a ranking of #21, Everett Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Everett, Washington, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,579 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,189 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Everett Community College graduates make an average of $39,179 annually.
Columbia Basin College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. CBC is a medium-sized public school situated in Pasco, Washington. It awarded 1,599 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from CBC accumulate an average of $15,453 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CBC graduates make an average of $49,655 annually.
Lake Washington Institute of Technology landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. LWTech is a small public school situated in Kirkland, Washington. It awarded 1,272 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from LWTech accumulate an average of $12,874 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from LWTech, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,320 during the early years of their career.
Wenatchee Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. WVC is a public institution located in Wenatchee, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 926 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,943 in student loans.After graduating from WVC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,404 during the early years of their career.
Charter College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking. Charter College is located in Vancouver, Washington and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,305 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Charter College accumulate an average of $20,604 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Charter College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,122 during the early year of their career.
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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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