Oregon has a small number of BSN programmes for its size, which makes places competitive, with its largest producer being the state’s academic health university. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine you want to become a nurse in Oregon. Places are limited and competition is strong, whether you aim for a private university in Portland or a smaller Christian college in the Willamette Valley. Here is how the options compare.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Oregon that award a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN), and ranked those producing at least 20 BSN graduates a year by their graduation rate. We also show how much their nursing graduates earn and what tuition costs. Graduation rates are for each college as a whole, not nursing students alone.
Oregon nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Portland | Portland | Private nonprofit | 81% | 226 | $102,061 | $60,100 |
| 2 | George Fox University | Newberg | Private nonprofit | 69% | 124 | $102,234 | $44,430 |
| 3 | Linfield University | McMinnville | Private nonprofit | 62% | 227 | $103,682 | $52,650 |
| 4 | Bushnell University | Eugene | Private nonprofit | 58% | 44 | $97,159 | $36,950 |
| 5 | Warner Pacific University | Portland | Private nonprofit | 48% | 57 | $98,431 | $23,500 |
Also offering a BSN in Oregon (not ranked: either a comparable graduation rate isn’t reported, often because they mainly enrol transfer, upper-division or adult students, or they’re for-profit career colleges whose college-wide rates aren’t comparable with universities):
| College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Health & Science University | Portland | Public | n/a | 350 | $100,571 | n/a |
Top Oregon nursing schools reviewed
1. University of Portland
The University of Portland is a private Catholic university whose School of Nursing is one of Oregon’s largest and most established BSN programmes.
- Graduation rate: 81%, number 1 in Oregon on our list
- Programme size: about 226 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $102,061 one year after graduating
- Cost: $60,100 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 89%
2. George Fox University
George Fox University in Newberg is a private Christian university offering a BSN, close to the Portland metropolitan area.
- Graduation rate: 69%, number 2 in Oregon on our list
- Programme size: about 124 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $102,234 one year after graduating
- Cost: $44,430 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 94%
3. Linfield University
Linfield University in McMinnville runs its nursing school on a campus in Portland and is one of the largest BSN producers in the state.
- Graduation rate: 62%, number 3 in Oregon on our list
- Programme size: about 227 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $103,682 one year after graduating
- Cost: $52,650 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 85%
4. Bushnell University
Bushnell University in Eugene is a small private Christian university offering a BSN in the southern Willamette Valley.
- Graduation rate: 58%, number 4 in Oregon on our list
- Programme size: about 44 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $97,159 one year after graduating
- Cost: $36,950 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 67%
5. Warner Pacific University
Warner Pacific University in Portland is a small private Christian university with a BSN focused on serving urban communities.
- Graduation rate: 48%, number 5 in Oregon on our list
- Programme size: about 57 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $98,431 one year after graduating
- Cost: $23,500 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 71%
Studying nursing in Oregon: what to know
Oregon Health & Science University, the state’s public academic health centre, produces the largest number of BSN graduates in Oregon and operates campuses in several regions, but it is not ranked here because a comparable college-wide graduation rate is not reported. Oregon has legal nurse staffing requirements for hospitals, which affect working conditions for new nurses. Because Oregon is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, nurses moving from other states need to apply for an Oregon licence by endorsement before they start work.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Oregon
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): a four-year degree, the route covered in this guide, preferred by many hospitals and required for most leadership and advanced roles.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): a two-year programme, often at community colleges, leading to the same NCLEX-RN exam. Many nurses later complete an RN-to-BSN degree, often online and part-time while working.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): for people who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another subject, usually 12 to 18 months of intensive study.
- Direct-entry master’s (MSN): offered by some universities for graduates of other fields.
Whichever route you choose, you must graduate from an approved programme and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to be licensed by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Oregon is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so nurses licensed in other states must apply for a Oregon licence by endorsement.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Oregon offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 6 colleges in Oregon produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,028 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Oregon nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
University of Portland has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 81%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Oregon?
Oregon Health & Science University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 350 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Oregon?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $97,159 to $103,682, with a typical (median) figure of about $101,316. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Oregon State Board of Nursing publishes first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates for approved programmes. Look for consistently high rates over several years.
- Accreditation: make sure the BSN is accredited by CCNE or ACEN.
- Getting into the nursing major: many universities admit students as “pre-nursing” first. Ask what share progress into the nursing programme.
- Clinical placements: where students train and how placements are arranged.
- Total cost: use each college’s net price calculator to see your likely cost after financial aid.
Your next step: Shortlist three schools from the table, then check each programme’s NCLEX pass rate on the Oregon State Board of Nursing website before you apply.
Related: US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), Oregon State Board of Nursing, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Figures change every year; always confirm with the college.
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