2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in Washington
Looking for the best-value Nursing degree programs in Washington? This list ranks 97 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Nursing Degree Search evaluated 41 schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Washington
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found Bellevue College to be the best-value Nursing school in Washington. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,310. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt. See the full Bellevue College profile
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Highline Community College earned it the #2 place 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,869. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Highline Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Everett Community College earned it the #3 place in Washington. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,434 ten years after entry. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Everett Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Shoreline Community College earned it the #4 place in Washington. 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. Median earnings reach $52,009 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Shoreline Community College profile
You'll get strong value at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #5 this year. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,307. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Seattle Community College Central Campus
A rank of #5 makes Centralia College one of the best values in Washington. 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. Median earnings reach $43,140 ten years out. See the full Centralia College profile
Spokane Community College landed the #7 spot for value 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. Spokane Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,984 a decade after entry. Set against $16,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Spokane Community College
Wenatchee Valley College placed #8 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,127. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full Wenatchee Valley College report
Lower Columbia College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,691. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Lower Columbia College report
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,669. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Olympic College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,169. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Olympic College
Clark College placed #12 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,356. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt. Read the full report on Clark College
Walla Walla Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. 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. Median earnings reach $43,526 ten years out. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Walla Walla Community College
Bellingham Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 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. Median earnings reach $49,748 ten years out. Read the full report on Bellingham Technical College
Yakima Valley Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. 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. Median earnings reach $43,499 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,649 median debt. Get the full Yakima Valley Community College report
Tacoma Community College came in at #16 in this year's value 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,168. That is a strong return on a $14,822 median debt. More on Tacoma Community College
Skagit Valley College offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,505. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt. Read more about Skagit Valley College
Big Bend Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,814 ten years after entry. Set against $12,662 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Big Bend Community College
Whatcom Community College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,092. Set against $16,588 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Whatcom Community College profile
Grays Harbor College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,865. That is a strong return on a $12,524 median debt. Read the full report on Grays Harbor College
Columbia Basin College placed #21 among the best-value 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,680 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Columbia Basin College
South Puget Sound Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. 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. Median earnings reach $45,039 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt. More on South Puget Sound Community College
Clover Park Technical College placed #23 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. 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. Clover Park Technical College alumni report median earnings of $41,787 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Clover Park Technical College profile
Peninsula College placed #24 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. 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. Median earnings reach $37,078 ten years out. Set against $12,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Peninsula College report
Eastern Washington University placed #25 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. Located in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,897 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University has an acceptance rate of 91%. More on Eastern Washington University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Nursing Degree Schools in Washington
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Western Washington University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. This public school is set in Bellingham, WA. 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. Median earnings reach $62,569 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read more about Western Washington University
Renton Technical College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Renton Technical College
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,466. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read the full report on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Set in Bothell, WA, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus has an acceptance rate of 91%. See the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus profile
Washington State University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,905. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read the full report on Washington State University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,466 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Gonzaga University landed the #32 spot for value in Washington this year. Gonzaga University is a private not-for-profit school based in Spokane, WA. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,892 ten years after entry. Set against $25,188 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gonzaga University admits about 82% of applicants. See the full Gonzaga University profile
Heritage University came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Located in Toppenish, WA, Heritage University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,928. Typical Nursing student debt is $19,148. Heritage University alumni report median earnings of $49,416 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,148 median debt. More on Heritage University
Seattle University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Seattle University is a private not-for-profit school based in Seattle, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $56,721. Students borrow a median of $22,289 to complete their Nursing program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read more about Seattle University
Seattle Pacific University placed #36 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. This private not-for-profit school is set in Seattle, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,407. Students borrow a median of $25,188 to complete their Nursing program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,506. That is a strong return on a $25,188 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Seattle Pacific University
Walla Walla University placed #37 among the best-value Nursing schools in Washington. This private not-for-profit school is set in College Place, WA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,227. Students borrow a median of $27,635 to complete their Nursing program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,885. Set against $27,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full Walla Walla University profile
Northwest University offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Located in Kirkland, WA, Northwest University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,035. Students borrow a median of $22,439 to complete their Nursing program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,914 ten years after entry. Set against $22,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%. More on Northwest University
Pacific Lutheran University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $50,916. The median Nursing program debt is $23,667. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,990 ten years after entry. Set against $23,667 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pacific Lutheran University admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on Pacific Lutheran University
Saint Martins University ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Located in Lacey, WA, Saint Martins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $45,510. Saint Martins University Nursing students take on a median of $22,818 in debt. Median earnings reach $62,092 ten years out. Set against $22,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Martins University has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on Saint Martins University
Whitworth University landed the #41 spot for value in Washington this year. Located in Spokane, WA, Whitworth University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,880. Graduates carry a median of $26,051 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,561 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%. See the full Whitworth University profile
Summit Salon Academy Tacoma offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Summit Salon Academy Tacoma profile
Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Green River Community College landed the #43 spot for value in Washington this year. Read more about Green River Community College
Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Bjs Beauty And Barber College Tacoma report
Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Elite Cosmetology Barber And Spa Academy report
Spokane Falls Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read more about Spokane Falls Community College
Bates Technical College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on Bates Technical College
Fosbre Academy Of Hair Design offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full Fosbre Academy Of Hair Design report
International Air And Hospitality Academy ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Nursing schools. Read the full report on International Air And Hospitality Academy
Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Toni And Guy Hairdressing Academy Shoreline
More Nursing Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Nursing Degree Search (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 41 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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