Best Value Registered Nursing Colleges in Washington

Olympic College delivers Washington's most affordable nursing education at just $7,755 net cost, making quality healthcare training accessible in a state where registered nurses earn $69,338 annually. This price difference becomes stark when compared to Gonzaga University's $36,371 net cost, creating a nearly $30,000 gap between the least and most expensive options. Washington's major healthcare systems, including Kaiser Permanente and Virginia Mason, actively recruit from state nursing programs to fill growing demand across urban centers like Seattle and rural communities. The University of Washington system offers particularly strong value, with all three campuses providing identical $72,152 median earnings while maintaining net costs under $14,000. Students benefit from Washington's solid healthcare sector, which includes specialized research opportunities at Seattle Children's Hospital and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

Programs

$7,755 – $36,371

Net Price Range

$71,209

Avg. Program Earnings

58.4%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Olympic College Bremerton, Washington	$7,755	$69,338	$4,197	34.0%
2	University of Washington-Tacoma Campus Tacoma, Washington	$10,017	$72,152	$12,817	62.3%	88.4%
3	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$72,152	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
4	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$72,152	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
5	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$69,757	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
6	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$76,460	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
7	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$68,875	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
8	Walla Walla University College Place, Washington	$23,992	$77,297	$33,027	64.2%
9	Saint Martin's University Lacey, Washington	$22,618	$66,045	$44,210	57.1%	95.0%
10	Seattle Pacific University Seattle, Washington	$24,820	$71,463	$38,814	62.1%	90.7%
11	Northwest University Kirkland, Washington	$25,161	$69,338	$36,035	63.5%	94.3%
12	Whitworth University Spokane, Washington	$25,884	$70,456	$50,920	68.4%	90.5%
13	Seattle University Seattle, Washington	$34,802	$69,505	$54,285	73.3%	85.2%
14	Gonzaga University Spokane, Washington	$36,371	$71,930	$53,500	86.9%	69.7%
15	Bellevue College Bellevue, Washington	$11,289		$4,305	33.5%
16	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893		$19,920	39.8%
17	Wenatchee Valley College Wenatchee, Washington	$10,733		$5,118	39.6%
18	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091		$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
19	Columbia Basin College Pasco, Washington	$8,302		$6,194	27.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes public nursing programs such good value in Washington?

Public institutions dominate the affordability rankings, with five schools charging under $15,000 net cost. Olympic College leads at $7,755, followed by both University of Washington-Tacoma and UW-Bothell under $11,000. The Washington College Grant significantly reduces costs for qualifying students, making public nursing education accessible to residents across income levels.

How do graduation rates vary among Washington nursing programs?

Graduation rates span from 33.5% at Bellevue College to 86.9% at Gonzaga University, showing substantial variation in program completion. University of Washington-Seattle leads public institutions with an 83.7% graduation rate. Most private colleges maintain graduation rates between 60-75%, while community colleges typically see lower completion rates around 33-35%.

Does attending a more expensive nursing school lead to higher earnings?

Not necessarily. Walla Walla University produces the highest-earning graduates at $77,297 despite charging $23,992 net cost. Meanwhile, Western Washington University graduates earn $76,460 with a net cost of $18,680. The University of Washington system maintains consistent $72,152 earnings across all three campuses regardless of slight cost differences.

Where do Washington nursing graduates find the best job opportunities?

Seattle's healthcare sector offers the most opportunities, with major employers like University of Washington Medical Center and Swedish Medical Center. The region's tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft also maintain large employee health services. Rural areas face nursing shortages, creating additional opportunities in communities across eastern Washington and the Olympic Peninsula.

More Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Rankings

Cheapest Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Washington Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Under $20,000 in Washington

All Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Programs Best Colleges in Washington Best Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing in Washington

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.