Cheapest Registered Nursing Colleges in Washington

Olympic College delivers Washington's most affordable nursing education at just $7,755 net cost, while Walla Walla University graduates earn $77,297 annually despite its $23,992 price tag. The gap between cheapest and most expensive programs spans nearly $30,000, with public colleges dominating the lower end of the spectrum. Washington's nursing programs serve a state where healthcare systems compete with tech giants like Amazon and Microsoft for skilled workers. Community colleges like Columbia Basin and Bellevue offer entry points under $12,000, while University of Washington campuses provide research-focused programs that prepare nurses for leadership roles in the state's major medical centers. Graduation rates vary dramatically from 27.7% at Columbia Basin College to 83.7% at UW Seattle, reflecting different student populations and program structures across the state's 19 nursing schools.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Olympic College's nursing program cost only $7,755 while other schools charge over $20,000?

Olympic College operates as a public community college with in-state tuition of just $4,197, significantly lower than four-year institutions. The college receives state funding that helps subsidize nursing education costs, and many students qualify for the Washington College Grant which covers full tuition. Community colleges also have lower overhead costs compared to universities with research facilities and extensive campus amenities. However, the trade-off appears in graduation rates, with Olympic College graduating 34% of nursing students compared to higher rates at more expensive programs.

How do University of Washington nursing graduates earn $72,152 across three campuses?

The University of Washington system produces nurses trained for clinical leadership and research roles in Washington's competitive healthcare market. UW Seattle maintains the highest graduation rate at 83.7%, while Bothell achieves 68.2% and Tacoma reaches 62.3%, indicating strong program completion across all campuses. These graduates enter a job market where major health systems like UW Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente compete with tech companies for skilled professionals. The standardized $12,500 debt load across UW campuses reflects consistent financial aid policies and in-state tuition rates around $12,600.

Is Walla Walla University worth $23,992 for nursing when graduates earn $77,297?

Walla Walla University nursing graduates achieve the highest earnings in the state at $77,297, providing strong return on investment despite the $23,992 net cost. The program graduates 64.2% of students, outperforming many cheaper alternatives, and maintains relatively moderate debt levels at $27,000. The earnings premium of $8,000 over the next highest-earning program suggests specialized training or strong industry connections. However, students should weigh this against public alternatives like Western Washington University, where graduates earn $76,460 with much lower net costs of $18,680.

Where do Washington nursing students find the best value between cost and outcomes?

Western Washington University offers strong value with graduates earning $76,460 while maintaining a net cost of $18,680 and 65.5% graduation rate. University of Washington campuses provide strong middle-ground options with $72,152 earnings and net costs around $10,000-$13,500, plus relatively low debt loads of $12,500. For students prioritizing minimal debt, Olympic College and Columbia Basin College offer paths under $9,000 net cost, though with significantly lower graduation rates. The Washington College Grant makes public options especially attractive for qualifying students, covering full tuition at community colleges and universities.

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