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2023 Best Nursing Schools in Washington

41 Schools Ranked
$45,497 Average Earnings
$19,760 Avg Student Debt

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:

#1

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
$51,213 Average Earnings
$21,118 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Gonzaga University the best school in Washington for nursing students working on their degree.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,118 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $773 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Gonzaga graduates make an average of $51,213 annually.

Read full report on Gonzaga University

$52,004 Average Earnings
$18,619 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Washington - Tacoma Campus is a great place for nursing students.

Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $18,619 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 $258.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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$57,527 Average Earnings
$17,547 Avg Student Debt

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.

On average, students take out $17,547 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $263 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UW Bothell, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,527 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
$51,066 Average Earnings
$20,543 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Seattle University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,543 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $708.After graduating from Seattle U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,066 during the early years of their career.

Full Seattle University Report

$57,782 Average Earnings
$18,284 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Washington - Seattle Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in Washington.

On average, students take out $18,284 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, UW Seattle graduates make an average of $57,782 annually.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

#6

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
$49,774 Average Earnings
$22,489 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Washington State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $22,489 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $312 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Wazzu, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,774 during the early years of their career.

Full Washington State University Report

#7

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
$49,703 Average Earnings
$23,778 Avg Student Debt

Seattle Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,778 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $394, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SPU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,703 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Seattle Pacific University

#8

Highline College

Des Moines, Washington
$47,918 Average Earnings
$14,827 Avg Student Debt

Highline College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list.

On average, students take out $14,827 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Highline graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,918 during the early year of their career.

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#9

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington
$41,047 Average Earnings
$23,517 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Pacific Lutheran University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,517 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $442 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from PLU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,047 during the early years of their career.

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#10

Saint Martin's University

Lacey, Washington
$50,383 Average Earnings
$23,178 Avg Student Debt

Saint Martin’s University landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,178 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Saint Martin’s graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,383 during the early year of their career.

Full Saint Martin’s University Report

#11

Centralia College

Centralia, Washington
$43,843 Average Earnings
$12,250 Avg Student Debt

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.

Degree recipients from Centralia College accumulate an average of $12,250 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Centralia College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,843 during the early year of their career.

Full Centralia College Report

#12

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
$36,481 Average Earnings
$20,477 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #12, Western Washington University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

Degree recipients from WWU accumulate an average of $20,477 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 $259. During the early years of their career, WWU graduates make an average of $36,481 annually.

Read full report on Western Washington University

#13

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington
$41,008 Average Earnings
$23,697 Avg Student Debt

Eastern Washington University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list.

Degree recipients from EWU accumulate an average of $23,697 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 $165.After graduating from EWU, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,008 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Heritage University

Toppenish, Washington
$48,496 Average Earnings
$21,537 Avg Student Debt

Heritage University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #14 on the list.

On average, students take out $21,537 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Heritage University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,496 during the early years of their career.

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#15

Seattle Central College

Seattle, Washington
$56,258 Average Earnings
$14,549 Avg Student Debt

Seattle Central College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #15 on the list.

On average, students take out $14,549 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Seattle Central graduates make an average of $56,258 annually.

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#16

Whitworth University

Spokane, Washington
$43,444 Average Earnings
$26,989 Avg Student Debt

Whitworth University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in Washington ranking.

On average, students take out $26,989 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $541 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Whitworth, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,444 during the early years of their career.

Full Whitworth University Report

#17

Bellevue College

Bellevue, Washington
$53,966 Average Earnings
$19,741 Avg Student Debt

Bellevue College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $19,741 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BC graduates make an average of $53,966 annually.

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#18

Walla Walla University

College Place, Washington
$44,752 Average Earnings
$24,985 Avg Student Debt

Walla Walla University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in Washington list.

On average, students take out $24,985 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Walla Walla U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,752 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Walla Walla University

#19

Northwest University

Kirkland, Washington
$43,507 Average Earnings
$23,101 Avg Student Debt

Northwest University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $23,101 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $240.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.

Full Northwest University Report

#20

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, Washington
$50,689 Average Earnings
$18,550 Avg Student Debt

Shoreline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $18,550 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Shoreline Community College graduates make an average of $50,689 annually.

Full Shoreline Community College Report

#21

Everett Community College

Everett, Washington
$39,179 Average Earnings
$16,056 Avg Student Debt

Everett Community College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

Degree recipients from Everett Community College accumulate an average of $16,056 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Everett Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,179 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on Everett Community College

#22

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, Washington
$49,655 Average Earnings
$18,350 Avg Student Debt

Columbia Basin College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs.

On average, students take out $18,350 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CBC graduates make an average of $49,655 annually.

Full Columbia Basin College Report

$51,320 Average Earnings
$18,538 Avg Student Debt

Lake Washington Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list.

On average, students take out $18,538 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, LWTech graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,320 during the early year of their career.

Full Lake Washington Institute of Technology Report

#24

Wenatchee Valley College

Wenatchee, Washington
$37,404 Average Earnings
$16,207 Avg Student Debt

Wenatchee Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #24 on the list.

Degree recipients from WVC accumulate an average of $16,207 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, WVC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,404 during the early year of their career.

Read full report on Wenatchee Valley College

#25

Charter College

Vancouver, Washington
$35,122 Average Earnings
$22,228 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #25, Charter College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working.

On average, students take out $22,228 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Charter College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,122 during the early years of their career.

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Best Nursing 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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