2026 Best Nursing Schools in Washington
Looking for the best Nursing degree programs in Washington? This list ranks 97 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 82 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Nursing Degree Schools in Washington
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Gonzaga University to be the best Nursing school in Washington. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. Gonzaga University graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $55,480. Gonzaga University Nursing students take on a median of $25,188 in debt. See the full Gonzaga University profile
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A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Tacoma Campus one of the top choices in Washington. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
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University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #3 on this year's Nursing ranking in Washington. Set in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. The median Nursing program debt is $15,636. See the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus profile
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Seattle University came in at #4 on this year's Nursing ranking in Washington. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Seattle University
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Out of the 82 schools in Washington in this year's ranking, University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #5 spot. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. University Of Washington Seattle Campus Nursing students take on a median of $16,481 in debt. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
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Washington State University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $21,903 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Washington State University
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Seattle Pacific University placed #7 among Nursing schools in Washington. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University
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Highline Community College placed #8 among Nursing schools in Washington. This public school is set in Des Moines, WA. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Highline Community College Nursing students take on a median of $8,958 in debt. Read the full report on Highline Community College
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Pacific Lutheran University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. About 69% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,916. The median Nursing program debt is $23,667. Read the full report on Pacific Lutheran University
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Saint Martins University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Saint Martins University Nursing students take on a median of $22,818 in debt. More on Saint Martins University
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Centralia College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Centralia College is a public school based in Centralia, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,266, while out-of-state students pay about $5,651. See the full Centralia College profile
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Western Washington University placed #12 among Nursing schools in Washington. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Western Washington University Nursing students take on a median of $20,361 in debt. Read more about Western Washington University
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Eastern Washington University came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Eastern Washington University Nursing students take on a median of $21,754 in debt. More on Eastern Washington University
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Heritage University came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Located in Toppenish, WA, Heritage University is a private not-for-profit institution. Heritage University posts a six-year graduation rate of 52%. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,928. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,148. More on Heritage University
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Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #15 among Nursing schools in Washington. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a public school based in Seattle, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete their Nursing program here. Read more about Seattle Community College Central Campus
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Whitworth University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. See the full Whitworth University profile
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Bellevue College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Bellevue, WA, Bellevue College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Students borrow a median of $18,839 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Bellevue College profile
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Walla Walla University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in College Place, WA. About 58% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete their Nursing program here. See the full Walla Walla University profile
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Northwest University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Kirkland, WA, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $36,035. Students borrow a median of $22,439 to complete their Nursing program here. More on Northwest University
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Shoreline Community College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Shoreline, WA, Shoreline Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,115 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. The median Nursing program debt is $16,700. See the full Shoreline Community College profile
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Everett Community College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Everett, WA, Everett Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, compared with $11,171 for out-of-state students. Everett Community College Nursing students take on a median of $13,542 in debt. Read more about Everett Community College
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Columbia Basin College placed #22 among Nursing schools in Washington. Based in Pasco, WA, Columbia Basin College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Columbia Basin College Nursing students take on a median of $17,170 in debt. Read more about Columbia Basin College
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Lake Washington Institute Of Technology ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Kirkland, WA, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,997 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology Nursing students take on a median of $19,695 in debt. Read the full report on Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
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Wenatchee Valley College landed the #24 spot in Washington this year. Wenatchee Valley College is a public school based in Wenatchee, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,552, compared with $5,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,462 in student loans. Get the full Wenatchee Valley College report
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Walla Walla Community College placed #26 among Nursing schools in Washington. This public school is set in Walla Walla, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,279, with out-of-state students paying around $6,700. Typical Nursing student debt is $15,500. Read more about Walla Walla Community College
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These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Yakima Valley Community College ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. This public school is set in Yakima, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,312 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,873 for out-of-state students. Yakima Valley Community College Nursing students take on a median of $14,649 in debt. Get the full Yakima Valley Community College report
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Tacoma Community College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Tacoma, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,507 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,646. Graduates carry a median of $14,822 in student loans. More on Tacoma Community College
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Lower Columbia College placed #29 among Nursing schools in Washington. This public school is set in Longview, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, with out-of-state students paying around $6,003. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,340. Get the full Lower Columbia College report
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Clover Park Technical College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Lakewood, WA, Clover Park Technical College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. The median Nursing program debt is $15,154. See the full Clover Park Technical College profile
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Clark College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Vancouver, WA, Clark College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete their Nursing program here. Read the full report on Clark College
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Spokane Community College landed the #32 spot in Washington this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Spokane Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. The median Nursing program debt is $16,486. Read the full report on Spokane Community College
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Whatcom Community College placed #33 among Nursing schools in Washington. Set in Bellingham, WA, Whatcom Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,296 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,435 for out-of-state students. Whatcom Community College Nursing students take on a median of $16,588 in debt. See the full Whatcom Community College profile
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Olympic College ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Set in Bremerton, WA, Olympic College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Read more about Olympic College
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Skagit Valley College came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Skagit Valley College is a public school based in Mount Vernon, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Typical Nursing student debt is $14,056. Read more about Skagit Valley College
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Big Bend Community College placed #36 among Nursing schools in Washington. Set in Moses Lake, WA, Big Bend Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,059, compared with $5,619 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,662 in student loans. Read the full report on Big Bend Community College
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South Puget Sound Community College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Olympia, WA. Students from in state pay about $5,257 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,818 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete their Nursing program here. More on South Puget Sound Community College
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Grays Harbor College came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in Aberdeen, WA, Grays Harbor College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Graduates carry a median of $12,524 in student loans. Read the full report on Grays Harbor College
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Bellingham Technical College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Bellingham Technical College is a public school based in Bellingham, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,431, while out-of-state students pay about $5,809. Read the full report on Bellingham Technical College
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Renton Technical College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Located in Renton, WA, Renton Technical College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Renton Technical College Nursing students take on a median of $18,582 in debt. Read more about Renton Technical College
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Peninsula College landed the #41 spot in Washington this year. Located in Port Angeles, WA, Peninsula College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,718, compared with $5,270 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Get the full Peninsula College report
Request InformationNorthwest School Of Wooden Boat Building came in at #41 in this year's ranking. See the full Northwest School Of Wooden Boat Building profile
Request InformationThe Seattle School Of Theology And Psychology landed the #42 spot in Washington this year. Read the full report on The Seattle School Of Theology And Psychology
Request InformationInternational Air And Hospitality Academy did well this year, earning the #43 position. Read the full report on International Air And Hospitality Academy
Request InformationInternational Beauty Education Center did well this year, earning the #44 position. Read the full report on International Beauty Education Center
Request InformationWhitworth University Adult Degree Programs came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Whitworth University Adult Degree Programs
Request InformationCentral Washington University came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Get the full Central Washington University report
Request InformationCascadia Community College placed #47 among Nursing schools in Washington. Get the full Cascadia Community College report
Request InformationCentralia Beauty College landed the #48 spot in Washington this year. More on Centralia Beauty College
Request InformationNorthwest Hvac R Training Center landed the #49 spot in Washington this year. Read the full report on Northwest Hvac R Training Center
Request InformationSeattle Institute Of Oriental Medicine ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Nursing schools. Read the full report on Seattle Institute Of Oriental Medicine
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Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 82 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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