Washington, DC packs five bachelor’s nursing programmes into one small city, including two of the highest graduation rates in the country, and its BSN graduates report some of the strongest early earnings in the nation. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine walking to a morning clinical placement past the Capitol, then spending the afternoon learning health policy from nurses who brief members of Congress. For nursing students in the nation’s capital, the hospital and the halls of power are only a few metro stops apart.
How we ranked these schools
We used the latest official data from the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard. We included colleges in Washington, DC 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.
Washington, DC nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown University | Washington | Private nonprofit | 95% | 24 | $95,242 | $71,338 |
| 2 | George Washington University | Washington | Private nonprofit | 83% | 203 | $91,990 | $70,170 |
| 3 | The Catholic University of America | Washington | Private nonprofit | 78% | 79 | $87,466 | $60,414 |
| 4 | Howard University | Washington | Private nonprofit | 72% | 74 | $90,669 | $38,936 |
| 5 | Trinity Washington University | Washington | Private nonprofit | 52% | 46 | $88,391 | $27,135 |
Top Washington, DC nursing schools reviewed
1. Georgetown University
Georgetown University’s School of Nursing is one of the oldest Catholic nursing schools in the US and is known for its strong focus on health equity, global health and Jesuit values. Its BSN programme is small and highly selective.
- Graduation rate: 95%, number 1 in Washington, DC on our list
- Programme size: about 24 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $95,242 one year after graduating
- Cost: $71,338 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 13%
2. George Washington University
George Washington University’s School of Nursing is the largest BSN producer in DC and benefits from close ties with GW Hospital and the capital’s health policy community. It also offers accelerated and graduate pathways.
- Graduation rate: 83%, number 2 in Washington, DC on our list
- Programme size: about 203 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $91,990 one year after graduating
- Cost: $70,170 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 47%
3. The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America’s Conway School of Nursing combines faith-based values with strong clinical training across DC hospitals, and has a long history of educating nurse leaders.
- Graduation rate: 78%, number 3 in Washington, DC on our list
- Programme size: about 79 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $87,466 one year after graduating
- Cost: $60,414 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 83%
4. Howard University
Howard University, one of the most influential historically Black universities in the United States, educates nurses with a strong commitment to serving underserved communities and reducing health disparities.
- Graduation rate: 72%, number 4 in Washington, DC on our list
- Programme size: about 74 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $90,669 one year after graduating
- Cost: $38,936 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 41%
5. Trinity Washington University
Trinity Washington University is a women-centred Catholic university that serves many first-generation and working students, with a nursing programme focused on community health in the District.
- Graduation rate: 52%, number 5 in Washington, DC on our list
- Programme size: about 46 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $88,391 one year after graduating
- Cost: $27,135 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 100%
Studying nursing in Washington, DC: what to know
DC has a dense concentration of academic medical centres, federal health agencies and policy organisations, which gives nursing students unusual exposure to health policy, research and global health. All five ranked BSN programmes are private, so tuition is high, but early earnings are also among the highest in the country, and the DC region (including Maryland and Virginia) offers a large job market. Nurses are licensed by the DC Board of Nursing, part of DC Health. Many nurses who work in DC live in Maryland or Virginia, so check licensing rules if you will practise across the border.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Washington, DC
- 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 DC Board of Nursing. Washington, DC has considered legislation to join the Nurse Licensure Compact, but unless and until it takes effect, nurses need a DC licence to practise there. Check the NCSBN compact map for the latest status.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Washington, DC offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 5 colleges in Washington, DC produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 426 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Washington, DC nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Georgetown University, with a college-wide graduation rate of 95%.
How much do BSN graduates earn in Washington, DC?
On our list, median earnings one year after graduating range from about $87,466 to $95,242.
Who licenses nurses in Washington, DC?
The DC Board of Nursing.
But is the highest-ranked school the best one for you?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the DC Board of Nursing publishes or can provide 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 with the DC Board of Nursing before you apply.
Related: Best nursing schools in the US: top 25 and every state · Best nursing schools in Maryland · Best nursing schools in Virginia · US nursing schools with the highest graduation rates · How to get into nursing school
Sources: US Department of Education College Scorecard (accessed November 2026), DC 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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