Washington State offers some of the highest nursing salaries in the country, strong unions and world-class academic medicine, and its BSN graduates report excellent early earnings. This guide ranks them using official federal data and reviews the top 5.
Imagine finishing a night shift in Seattle as the ferries cross Puget Sound, knowing your pay is among the best in the nation and your hospital is helping fund your next degree. For many Washington nurses, that is everyday reality.
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 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 nursing schools ranked (2026)
| Rank | College | City | Type | Graduation rate | BSN graduates a year | BSN graduates’ median earnings (1 year) | In-state tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gonzaga University | Spokane | Private nonprofit | 85% | 90 | $93,623 | $57,250 |
| 2 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle | Public | 85% | 205 | $91,541 | $13,406 |
| 3 | Seattle University | Seattle | Private nonprofit | 71% | 253 | $89,870 | $58,965 |
| 4 | University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Bothell | Public | 68% | 113 | $91,541 | $13,472 |
| 5 | Northwest University | Kirkland | Private nonprofit | 67% | 36 | $88,881 | $37,360 |
| 6 | Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Private nonprofit | 64% | 132 | $93,928 | $53,096 |
| 7 | Washington State University | Pullman | Public | 63% | 295 | $88,436 | $13,888 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma Campus | Tacoma | Public | 60% | 115 | $91,541 | $13,577 |
| 9 | Walla Walla University | College Place | Private nonprofit | 58% | 48 | $98,058 | $35,757 |
| 10 | Saint Martin’s University | Lacey | Private nonprofit | 56% | 70 | $83,556 | $46,856 |
| 11 | Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Private nonprofit | 55% | 89 | $90,324 | $44,367 |
| 12 | Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee | Public | 36% | 27 | $95,471 | $5,475 |
| 13 | Olympic College | Bremerton | Public | 33% | 27 | n/a | $4,202 |
| 14 | Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Public | 32% | 26 | $94,239 | $6,744 |
| 15 | Bellevue College | Bellevue | Public | 31% | 35 | n/a | $4,580 |
Top Washington nursing schools reviewed
1. Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University in Spokane is a private Jesuit university with the highest graduation rate on our Washington list. Its nursing programme emphasises values-based care and serves health systems across eastern Washington.
- Graduation rate: 85%, number 1 in Washington on our list
- Programme size: about 90 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $93,623 one year after graduating
- Cost: $57,250 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 82%
2. University of Washington-Seattle Campus
The University of Washington in Seattle has one of the most respected schools of nursing in the United States and close links with UW Medicine. Its graduates report some of the highest early earnings on our list.
- Graduation rate: 85%, number 2 in Washington on our list
- Programme size: about 205 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $91,541 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,406 in-state tuition ($44,640 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 39%
3. Seattle University
Seattle University is a private Jesuit university in the heart of Seattle. Its College of Nursing produces one of the largest numbers of BSN graduates in the state.
- Graduation rate: 71%, number 3 in Washington on our list
- Programme size: about 253 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $89,870 one year after graduating
- Cost: $58,965 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 77%
4. University of Washington-Bothell Campus
The University of Washington Bothell, north of Seattle, offers nursing education through its School of Nursing and Health Studies, with strong links to hospitals in the Puget Sound region.
- Graduation rate: 68%, number 4 in Washington on our list
- Programme size: about 113 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $91,541 one year after graduating
- Cost: $13,472 in-state tuition ($44,706 out of state)
- Acceptance rate: 91%
5. Northwest University
Northwest University in Kirkland is a private Christian university with a nursing college that offers small classes and a faith-based approach to care.
- Graduation rate: 67%, number 5 in Washington on our list
- Programme size: about 36 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, a smaller programme with a more personal feel
- Early earnings: nursing graduates earned a median of $88,881 one year after graduating
- Cost: $37,360 tuition a year before financial aid
- Acceptance rate: 83%
Studying nursing in Washington: what to know
Washington joined the Nurse Licensure Compact in 2023, and multistate licences are now issued for eligible nurses whose primary state of residence is Washington. Nurses are licensed by the Washington State Board of Nursing. Pay is high, especially around Seattle, but so is the cost of living. Community and technical colleges across the state offer associate degree nursing, with direct transfer agreements that help students continue to a BSN.
Ways to become a registered nurse in Washington
- 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 Washington State Board of Nursing. Washington is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate licence lets you practise in other compact states.
Frequently asked questions
How many colleges in Washington offer a BSN?
Based on the latest College Scorecard data, 15 colleges in Washington produce at least 20 bachelor’s nursing graduates a year, together awarding around 1,561 BSN degrees annually. Some smaller programmes are not included.
Which Washington nursing school has the highest graduation rate?
Gonzaga University has the highest college-wide graduation rate on our list, at 85%.
Which is the largest nursing programme in Washington?
Washington State University produces the most bachelor’s nursing graduates in the state, about 295 a year.
How much do new BSN graduates earn in Washington?
Across the colleges listed, the median first-year earnings of bachelor’s nursing graduates range from $83,556 to $98,058, with a typical (median) figure of about $91,541. Earnings depend on where graduates work, their shift patterns and whether they were already working as nurses.
How much does a public nursing degree cost in Washington?
In-state tuition at the public universities on our list ranges from $4,202 to $13,888 a year, before fees, housing and financial aid.
But is a ranking enough to choose a school?
No ranking can tell you everything. Before you apply, also check:
- NCLEX pass rates: the Washington 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 Washington 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), Washington 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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