Nursing Schools in Washington: All 84 Approved Programs & NCLEX Pass Rates
Washington has 61 schools running 84 board-approved nursing programs — 72 RN-track and 12 PN/LPN-track. The average 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate across Washington programs is 84.5%, 2.0 points below the national average of 86.5%. Every row below comes straight from the state board of nursing's published approved-program list — not self-reported school marketing.
Best Nursing Schools in Washington by NCLEX Pass Rate
Top RN programs ranked by 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, among programs with a published 2025 rate. Rates are one year of data — check multi-year trends before deciding.
- 1100%Moses Lake · Associate Degree Programs RN - Full Time Program, Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP)
- 2100%Bremerton · Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Nursing Program
- 398.7%Spokane · Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN - BSN and ABSN program options
- 496.6%Centralia · Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing Program
- 596%Bellingham · Associate Degree Programs RN
- 695.3%Mt Vernon · Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing Department
- 794.6%Portland (OR) · Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN
- 893.6%Olympia · Associate Degree Programs RN - School of Nursing
- 993.3%Auburn · Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Full-Time/ Part-Time, Nursing Department
- 1092.9%Spokane · Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN
What Nursing School Costs in Washington — and What Graduates Earn
Tuition, admissions and graduate-earnings figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, matched to 33 of 61 Washington schools. Earnings are program-level — the median for graduates of that school's own nursing program, not all its alumni.
Median federal loan debt for BSN graduates in Washington is $26,993 (6 programs). Sticker tuition is the whole school's published price, not the nursing program's alone, and it ignores aid — the number that decides whether a program pays off is what you actually pay plus the wages you give up while enrolled. Run your own numbers in the ROI calculator or read the full cost of becoming an RN.
Every Approved Nursing Program in Washington
Sort by any column, filter RN vs PN/LPN, or search a school or city.
84 of 84 programs · “—” = not published for that program · tuition is the school’s published in-state price for one year, before aid; grad pay is the median for that program’s own graduates, one year out
| Bates Technical College | Tacoma | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - PN ProgramPN | $6,027 | — | 96.4% |
| Bellevue College | Bellevue | Associate Degree Programs RNRN | $4,436 | $82,286 | 89.7% |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Associate Degree Programs RNRN | $4,431 | — | 96% |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN)RN | $4,431 | — | — |
| Bellingham Technical College | Bellingham | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Part-time Evening Practical Nursing ProgramPN | $4,431 | — | 100% |
| Big Bend Community College | Moses Lake | Associate Degree Programs RN - Full Time Program, Rural Nursing Education Program (RNEP)RN | $5,059 | $79,826 | 100% |
| Centralia College | Centralia | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,266 | $77,740 | 96.6% |
| Clackamas Community CollegeDistance | Milwaukie, OR | ADN/RNRN | — | — | — |
| Clark College | Vancouver | Associate Degree Programs RNRN | $5,233 | $63,543 | 88.6% |
| Clover Park Technical College | Tacoma | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing DepartmentRN | $6,634 | — | 80% |
| Clover Park Technical College | Tacoma | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Nursing DepartmentPN | $6,634 | $53,065 | 80.7% |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $6,555 | $77,785 | 84.8% |
| Columbia Basin College | Pasco | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Nursing ProgramRN | $6,555 | $85,196 | 42.9% |
| Concordia University St. PaulDistance | Portland, OR | ABSNRN | — | — | — |
| Creighton UniversityDistance | Omaha, NE | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Eastern Washington University | Spokane | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $8,586 | — | 81% |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,810 | — | — |
| Edmonds College | Lynnwood | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Nursing ProgramPN | $4,810 | — | 81.5% |
| Emory UniversityDistance | Atlanta, GA | D-ABSNRN | — | — | — |
| Everett Community College | Everett | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing DepartmentRN | $5,032 | $79,945 | 78.2% |
| Gonzaga University | Spokane | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN - BSN and ABSN program optionsRN | $55,480 | $84,466 | 98.7% |
| Grays Harbor College | Aberdeen | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing DepartmentRN | $5,593 | $81,243 | 77.1% |
| Green River Community College | Auburn | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Full-Time/ Part-Time, Nursing DepartmentRN | — | — | 93.3% |
| Green River Community College | Auburn | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Full-Time/Part-Time ProgramPN | — | — | 86.4% |
| Heritage University | Toppenish | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $20,928 | — | 82.4% |
| Highline Community College | Des Moines | Associate Degree Programs RNRN | — | — | 82% |
| Indiana State UniversityDistance | Terre Haute, IN | LPN-BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Lake Area Technical CollegeDistance | Watertown, SD | LPNPN | — | — | — |
| Lake WA Institute of Technology | Kirkland | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | 74.3% |
| Lewis-Clark State CollegeDistance | Lewiston, ID | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Lewis-Clark State CollegeDistance | Lewiston, ID | LPNPN | — | — | — |
| Lewis-Clark State CollegeDistance | Lewiston, ID | LPN-BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Linfield CollegeDistance | Portland, OR | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,626 | $75,715 | 83.1% |
| Lower Columbia College | Longview | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,626 | $75,715 | — |
| North Idaho CollegeDistance | Coeur d'Alene, ID | ADN/RNRN | — | — | — |
| North Idaho CollegeDistance | Coeur d'Alene, ID | LPNPN | — | — | — |
| Northwest University | Kirkland | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $36,035 | $84,504 | 86.5% |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,197 | $84,108 | 87.1% |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,197 | $88,069 | 100% |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,197 | $84,108 | — |
| Olympic College | Bremerton | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Nursing Program, Corpsman/Medic to PN ProgramPN | $4,197 | $48,850 | 93.8% |
| Oregon Health and Science UniversityDistance | Portland, OR | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Pacific Lutheran University | Tacoma | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $52,254 | $81,761 | 86% |
| Pacific Lutheran University - Lynnwood | Lynnwood | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | — | — | 86% |
| Pacific Lutheran University- Auburn | Auburn | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RN - ABSN programRN | — | — | 86% |
| Peninsula College | Port Angeles | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $4,718 | $79,369 | 79.3% |
| Pierce College - Puyallup | Puyallup | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | 74.2% |
| Pierce College - Puyallup | Puyallup | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | — |
| Portland Community CollegeDistance | Portland, OR | ADN/RNRN | — | — | — |
| Renton Technical CollegeConditional | Renton | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $6,308 | $80,411 | 42.9% |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $45,510 | $94,947 | 86.7% |
| Saint Martin's University | Lacey | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing ProgramsRN | $45,510 | $94,947 | 84.6% |
| Seattle Colleges | Seattle | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | 83.5% |
| Seattle Pacific University | Seattle | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $40,407 | $81,671 | 85.6% |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $56,721 | $81,021 | 72.8% |
| Seattle University | Seattle | Non-nursing baccalaureate degree to DNP (AGACNP; Family Nurse Practitioner; DNP/Family PMHNP; DNP/Certified Nurse Midwife) - listed under 'Graduate and RN to BSN Programs'RN | $56,721 | — | 74.5% |
| Shoreline Community College | Seattle | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | 84.1% |
| Shoreline Community College | Seattle | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | — |
| Skagit Valley College - Mt Vernon/Whidbey Island | Mt Vernon | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing DepartmentRN | — | — | 95.3% |
| Skagit Valley College - Mt Vernon/Whidbey Island | Mt Vernon | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing DepartmentRN | — | — | — |
| South Puget Sound Community College | Olympia | Associate Degree Programs RN - School of NursingRN | $5,252 | $69,107 | 93.6% |
| Spokane Community College | Spokane | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing EducationRN | $5,461 | $77,999 | 88.5% |
| Spokane Community CollegeNew/provisional | Spokane | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Nursing EducationPN | $5,461 | — | 100% |
| Sumner CollegeDistance | Portland, OR | BSN (WA Residents)RN | — | — | — |
| Sumner CollegeDistance | Portland, OR | LPNPN | — | — | — |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,507 | $82,447 | 84.7% |
| Tacoma Community College | Tacoma | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,507 | $82,447 | — |
| University of North DakotaDistance | Grand Forks, ND | BSN Pre-licensure practicumRN | — | — | — |
| University of Northern ColoradoDistance | Greeley, CO | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| University of PortlandDistance | Portland, OR | BSNRN | — | — | — |
| University of Washington | Seattle | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | — | — | 85.4% |
| University of Wisconsin-OshkoshDistance | Oshkosh, WI | Accelerated BSNRN | — | — | — |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing EducationRN | $5,279 | $75,416 | 80% |
| Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Registered Nursing Program (ADN) - Nursing EducationRN | $5,279 | $75,416 | — |
| Walla Walla University | Portland (OR) | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $34,227 | $90,709 | 94.6% |
| Washington State University - Spokane Campus | Spokane | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | — | — | 92.9% |
| Washington State University - Tri Cities | Richland | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | $12,261 | — | 92.9% |
| Washington State University - Yakima | Yakima | Baccalaureate Degree Programs RNRN | — | — | 92.9% |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,267 | $76,527 | 91.7% |
| Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee | Licensed Practical Nursing Program to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,267 | $86,059 | 66.7% |
| Whatcom Community College | Bellingham | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | $5,115 | $82,805 | 92.5% |
| Yakima Valley College | Yakima | Licensed Practical Nursing Programs - Nursing ProgramPN | $5,312 | — | 100% |
| Yakima Valley Community College | Yakima | Associate Degree Programs RN - Nursing ProgramRN | — | — | 89.8% |
Whichever school you choose, the NCLEX is the finish line
The pass rates above are made by students, not buildings. Students who do well start NCLEX-style practice in their first semester — studying for class exams and the boards at the same time. NurseSavvy turns your own course materials into matched NCLEX practice questions from day one — free to try, then $19/mo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best nursing school in Washington by NCLEX pass rate?
2 RN programs in Washington tied for the highest 2025 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate at 100%, including Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake — see the full ranked list above, among programs with a published 2025 rate on the state board's list.
How many nursing schools are in Washington?
Washington has 61 schools offering 84 board-approved nursing programs: 72 RN-track (ADN/BSN and similar) and 12 PN/LPN-track programs, per the state board of nursing's current approved-program list.
What is the average NCLEX pass rate in Washington?
Across Washington RN programs with a published 2025 rate, the average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate is 84.5% — 2.0 points below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does nursing school cost in Washington?
Across Washington nursing schools we could match to U.S. Department of Education data, median published in-state tuition and fees run $5,267 a year at public schools (24 schools) and $42,959 at private nonprofits (8 schools). That is the whole institution's sticker price per year, before aid — an ADN takes about two years and a BSN four, and most students pay less than sticker. Per-school figures are in the table above.
What do nursing graduates in Washington earn?
Federal earnings data tracks graduates of each specific nursing program. In Washington, median earnings one year after finishing are $78,843 for ADN graduates (18 programs) and $85,196 for BSN graduates (11 programs). These are medians of program-level medians and the federal figures lag by a few years, so treat them as a floor for comparison between schools rather than a salary prediction.
What does a first-time NCLEX pass rate tell me about a school?
It is the share of a program’s graduates who passed the NCLEX on their first attempt — the single most comparable public outcome number nursing programs report. Boards of nursing track it for program approval, and consistently low rates can put a program on conditional status. Compare it alongside cost, location, and program length, not in isolation.
About this data
Program list and 2025 first-time NCLEX pass rates are taken directly from the Washington board of nursing's published approved-program materials. “—” means the board did not publish a 2025 rate for that program (new programs, small cohorts, or PN lists without rate tables). Pass rates refresh annually; this page is rebuilt from the board lists when they update.
Tuition, admission rates, graduate earnings and debt come from the U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts, June 10 2026 data release), matched by school name and city to 33 of 61 Washington schools. Schools the federal data does not cover — hospital-based programs and schools outside federal student-aid reporting — show “—” rather than an estimate. Tuition and admission rates describe the whole institution; earnings and debt are specific to its nursing programs, by credential, and lag the current graduating class by several years.
- collegescorecard.ed.gov — Most Recent Cohorts, June 10 2026 data release