The Top Nursing Schools In Washington

Washington pays registered nurses among the highest wages in the country, and it needs far more of them than most states do. RNs here average about $101,670 a year, and projected demand runs at roughly double the national pace. Whether you want Seattle or a rural county, this guide covers the state's strongest nursing programs, what they cost, and how to get licensed.

The Best Nursing Schools in Washington

Washington has more than 40 ADN and BSN programs, so you can match a school to your goals, budget, background, and schedule. The programs below stand out on academic quality, cost, reputation, and offerings.

The University of Washington runs one of the state's oldest nursing programs, with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral tracks. The BSN offers traditional and accelerated paths. The online MSN focuses on clinical informatics and patient-centered technologies, and doctoral specializations include adult-gerontology and women's health.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); master of science (MSN); doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in nursing science; doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Campus: Seattle, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN: $4,026 per quarter; MSN: $709 per credit; Ph.D.: $6,725 per quarter; DNP: $925 per credit ($9,934 per quarter in-state, $14,150 out-of-state for some tracks)
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: 100 hours of healthcare experience; prerequisite courses with minimum 2.8 GPA; proctored online essay (bachelor's degree for accelerated track)
• MSN: bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; one year of healthcare experience; minimum C grade in statistics prerequisite
• Ph.D.: bachelor's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; Zoom interview; statement of goals and research interests
• DNP: BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license; statistics course; timed online essay
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 94% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,152 for bachelor's graduates, $95,549 for master's graduates, and $105,678 for doctoral graduates, according to College Scorecard

The University of Washington Bothell offers an RN-to-BSN in onsite and hybrid formats, plus a hybrid MSN with concentrations in nurse education and nurse leadership. Both degrees run as cohorts, include fieldwork, and allow full-time or part-time study.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (RN-to-BSN); master of science in nursing (MSN)
• Campus: Bothell, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: RN-to-BSN: $16,221 per year (in-state), $53,328 (out-of-state); MSN: $17,817 per year (in-state), $30,999 (out-of-state)
• Admission Requirements:
• RN-to-BSN: associate degree in nursing; RN license; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA; minimum 3.2 nursing GPA; nursing goals statement
• MSN: BSN; RN license; minimum 3.0 GPA; prerequisite statistics course
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,152 for bachelor's graduates and $95,549 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

The School of Nursing and Physiology at Gonzaga University teaches the BSN on campus and delivers its graduate nursing programs online. RNs and degree-holders can pursue a master's or doctorate, with specializations in nurse leadership, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); master of science in nursing (MSN and RN-to-MSN); doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Campus: Spokane, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN: $49,800 per year; RN-to-MSN: $845-$965 per credit; MSN/DNP: $1,100 per credit
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: high school diploma
• MSN/DNP: RN license; minimum 3.0-3.3 GPA; statistics course (some tracks require a nursing degree)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.4% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,930 for bachelor's graduates, $105,418 for master's graduates, and $105,678 for doctoral graduates, according to College Scorecard

Western Washington University runs a 45-credit RN-to-BSN degree-completion program with weekly onsite classes built around working nurses. Coursework covers community-based care for vulnerable populations, social justice and healthcare, and policy, leadership, and the U.S. healthcare system, with hands-on internships and projects.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (RN-to-BSN)
• Campus: Bellingham, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $327 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements: Associate degree or diploma in nursing; RN license; prerequisite coursework; minimum 2.75 GPA
• Minimum Time Commitment: 12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $76,460 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

University of Washington Tacoma offers a hybrid RN-to-BSN for nurses with an associate degree or diploma, plus an MSN with two concentrations: leader in healthcare delivery and nurse educator. Bachelor's students complete a practicum; master's students do fieldwork and choose a coursework, scholarly-inquiry, or thesis track.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (RN-to-BSN); master of science in nursing (MSN)
• Campus: Tacoma, Washington
• Type: Public
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: Full-time undergraduate: $4,066 per quarter (in-state), $13,342 (out-of-state); graduate: $6,099 (in-state), $10,556 (out-of-state)
• Admission Requirements:
• RN-to-BSN: associate degree or diploma in nursing; minimum 2.0 GPA; RN license; one year of clinical practice; statistics prerequisite
• MSN: BSN; minimum 3.0 GPA; statistics prerequisite; RN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 9-12 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $72,152 for bachelor's graduates and $95,549 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Whitworth University, a Christian school, partners with Washington State University on a BSN. Students spend 2-3 years at Whitworth on liberal arts coursework and nursing prerequisites, then apply to WSU's nursing school and graduate with a dual BSN from both.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)
• Campus: Spokane, Washington
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) through WSU
• Tuition: $630 per credit hour (full time); $500 (part time)
• Admission Requirements: High school transcripts; SAT, ACT, or CLT scores (optional for attendees of an accredited high school or college)
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $70,456 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Seattle University, a Jesuit Catholic institution, offers a BSN and a DNP. The BSN takes recent high school graduates and transfers. The doctorate has three paths: acute and primary adult-gerontology nurse practitioner; primary care family and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner; or certified nurse-midwife.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Campus: Seattle, Washington
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN: $50,328 per year (full time), $1,118 per credit (part time); DNP: $884 per credit
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: college prep prerequisites in math, laboratory biology, and laboratory chemistry with minimum B grades
• DNP: bachelor's or master's degree; minimum 3.0 GPA; two years of work experience; letter of intent
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 84.5% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $69,505 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Walla Walla University teaches nursing in College Place, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. You can study entirely in Portland, or spend two years on prerequisites and sophomore nursing courses at College Place before transferring to Portland. RNs and LPNs can enter as space allows.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); RN-to-BSN; LPN-to-BSN
• Campus: College Place, Washington; Portland, Oregon
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $29,487 per year
• Admission Requirements: Minimum 2.9 college GPA (College Place start), minimum 3.25 college GPA (Portland start); prerequisites with minimum C grades; pre-admission testing
• Minimum Time Commitment: 9-21 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.1% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $77,297 for bachelor's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Seattle Pacific University takes a Christian approach to its undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Doctoral students specialize as a clinical nurse specialist, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, or family nurse practitioner. Students complete clinical internships and practice in an onsite clinical learning lab.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); doctor of nursing practice (DNP)
• Campus: Seattle, Washington
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: BSN: $36,504 per year (full time), $1,014 per credit (part time); DNP: $899 per credit
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: prerequisite coursework with a minimum 2.85 GPA; documentation of work or volunteer hours, awards, and honors; professional reference
• DNP: BSN or master's in nursing; minimum 3.0 GPA; RN license; 12 months of RN experience
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.8% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $71,463 for bachelor's graduates and $94,408 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

Pacific Lutheran University offers a traditional BSN and an LPN bridge. Its MSN has tracks for non-nurses, BSN-holders, and RNs, with advanced generalist or clinical nurse leader specializations. Doctoral students choose the family nurse practitioner or psychiatric mental health specialty.

• Program(s): Bachelor of science in nursing (BSN); LPN-to-BSN; master of science in nursing (MSN); BSN-to-MSN; RN-to-BSN; BSN-to-doctor of nursing practice (DNP); MSN-to-DNP; advanced practice registered nurse (APRN)-to-DNP
• Campus: Tacoma, Washington
• Type: Private
• Accreditation(s): Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: Undergraduate: $49,472 per year; MSN: $783-$1,093 per credit hour; DNP: $1,159 per credit hour
• Admission Requirements:
• BSN: high school diploma or practical nurse license; prerequisite coursework
• MSN: non-nursing bachelor's, BSN, or RN license and experience; 3.0 GPA; prerequisites
• DNP: RN license and experience; BSN or MSN with 3.0 GPA or MSN and APRN license
• Minimum Time Commitment: 24 months
• On-Campus Requirements: Yes
• School NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.8% first-time pass rate
• Median Earnings Two Years After Graduation: $68,875 for bachelor's graduates and $92,632 for master's graduates, according to College Scorecard

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Washington

Whether you want an ADN or a BSN, weigh cost (tuition and financial aid), the NCLEX-RN pass rate, and the program's acceptance rate and admission requirements. Clinical placement options and program logistics matter too. Stick to accredited programs; unaccredited ones put your time and money at risk.

Why Become a Nurse in Washington

Nurses are in high demand in Washington, and salaries rank among the highest in the country. The state is one of the few that requires hospitals to run a staffing committee that sets nurse-patient plans and policies. Washington is also a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so a multistate license lets you practice across the 40-plus participating states. The Washington Center for Nursing maintains a list of financial aid options for nursing school in the state.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Washington

The BLS projects RN jobs in Washington will grow 13% between 2022 and 2032, against 6% nationally. Nurse practitioner jobs grow fastest at 28.5%, compared to 28.2% nationally.

Washington RNs average about $101,670 a year (2024), well above the national average. Nurse practitioners average about $126,480, versus $114,510 nationally. The state's cost-of-living index is 115.8 (100 nationally), and Seattle is among the most expensive cities in the country.

Highest-Paying Cities for Nurses in Washington

Seattle RN salaries rank among the country's highest, driven by demand and cost of living. Pay sits well above the national average in other Washington metros too.

Top Paying Metropolitan Areas	Average Salary for RNs
Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue	$95,120
Olympia, Tumwater	$93,270
Wenatchee	$88,550
Spokane, Spokane Valley	$89,890
Walla Walla	$91,280

Source: BLS

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Washington

To become a nurse in Washington, you earn a nursing degree, pass the licensing exam, and clear a criminal background check.

RN Requirements

Complete an ADN or BSN, pass the NCLEX, and apply to the state board of nursing, which includes a criminal background check. If you trained in Washington, your school sends a certificate of completion automatically. The application fee is $120, plus $200 for the NCLEX-RN. Washington runs a Transition to Practice program for new graduates.

APRN Requirements

To become an advanced practice registered nurse, you need a current, unencumbered RN license (you can apply for both at once), an MSN or DNP, and the relevant board certification for your specialty. Apply separately for prescribing authority and meet the pharmacology education requirements. APRN candidates who graduated more than one year before applying, and who do not hold an APRN license from another state, must show at least 250 clinical advanced practice hours. The fee is $125.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing in Washington

How long does it take? An ADN runs about two years and qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX and work as an RN. A BSN runs about four years and opens leadership roles and graduate study. The ADN is the minimum to become an RN, but most nurses earn a BSN.

How much does it cost? Tuition varies widely. Private schools usually cost more than public universities, and online programs often run cheaper. Compare structure and learning formats before you commit.

How do I pick a school? Start from your goals, then weigh cost, flexibility, and location. The best program is the one that fits your needs.