Nursing in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. has 9 nursing schools running 10 board-approved programs, and the median RN program’s first-time NCLEX pass rate was 88.8%. Registered nurses here earn a median of $102,540; nurse practitioners, $135,880. Washington, D.C. is not a compact state. Every figure below names its source and the period it covers.
Nursing Schools in Washington, D.C.
9 of Washington, D.C.’s 10 programs have a published 2025 first-time pass rate. RN programs averaged 89.8% — 3.3 points above the 86.5% national average. Practical nursing programs averaged 97.5%.
| Degree | Programs | Median pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate (ADN) | 2 | 91.1% |
| Bachelor’s (BSN) | 4 | 87.8% |
Both degrees lead to the same RN license. ADN vs BSN, compared nationally →
Highest first-time pass rates (2025)
In-state RN programs. Ties go to the program with more nursing graduates. A single year’s rate swings widely for small programs; check the trend before you choose.
- Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRNWashington · BSN100%
- Saint Michael College of Allied Health – ADNWashington · ADN100%
- Georgetown University School of Nursing - BSN, CNL, APRNWashington · CNL100%
- The Catholic University of America School of Nursing - BSN, APRNWashington · BSN88.8%
- Howard University Division of Nursing - BSN, APRNWashington · BSN86.8%
What Nurses Earn in Washington, D.C.
Federal wage survey data (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — employer-reported, not job-board estimates. The RN median in Washington, D.C. is $4,990 above the $97,550 national median; the NP median is $3,580 above the $132,300 national NP median.
| Washington, D.C. | Registered nurse | Nurse practitioner |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $102,540 | $135,880 |
| Median hourly | $49.30 | $65.33 |
| Starting range (10th pct.) | $79,390 | $115,200 |
| Top earners (90th pct.) | $151,170 | $180,300 |
| Employed in state | 11,440 | 680 |
Licensing in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Washington, D.C. license covers Washington, D.C. only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Washington, D.C. license to practice here (licensure by endorsement).
Either way the license starts the same: graduate from a board-approved program and pass the NCLEX. Fees, processing times, and continuing-education rules are set by the Washington, D.C. board of nursing and change — confirm them with the board directly. The board documents these pass rates came from: Approved list: BON approved 9/4/2025, Updated 9/03/2025 (TAF); pass rates Jan 1, 2025 - Dec 31, 2025.
Sources
- First-time NCLEX pass rates by programEach state board of nursing — the exact board documents are linked on every state page · Data: 2025 first-time test takers · Checked
- Program cost, completion, and graduate earningsU.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard · Checked
- Registered nurse wages and employment (SOC 29-1141)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse practitioner wages and employment (SOC 29-1171)U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics · Data: May 2025 · Checked
- Nurse Licensure Compact member states and implementation datesNational Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) · Checked
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing schools are in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. has 9 nursing schools running 10 board-approved programs — 7 RN programs and 3 practical nursing programs (state board of nursing list, 2025 pass-rate year).
What is the NCLEX pass rate in Washington, D.C.?
The median Washington, D.C. RN program's first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 88.8%, and the average across programs was 89.8% — 3.3 points above the 86.5% national average (2025 first-time test takers, from the state board of nursing).
How much do nurses make in Washington, D.C.?
Registered nurses in Washington, D.C. earn a median of $102,540 a year ($49.30 an hour), $4,990 above the national RN median. Nurse practitioners earn a median of $135,880 (BLS, May 2025).
Is Washington, D.C. a compact nursing state?
Washington, D.C. is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. A Washington, D.C. license covers Washington, D.C. only, and a nurse licensed in another state needs a separate Washington, D.C. license to practice here (licensure by endorsement). Source: NCSBN compact map, checked September 17, 2026.
Nursing in other states
Keep going
- Degree pathwayADN vs BSNBoth degrees lead to the same RN license. Here is how associate and bachelor’s programs actually compare on NCLEX pass rates, graduate debt, and earnings.
- GuideADN vs BSN: Which Nursing Program Should You Choose?Compare ADN and prelicensure BSN pathways by time, total cost, admission, clinical logistics, employer expectations, and bridge options—not prestige alone.
- FinderCheapest RN programs in the U.S.The lowest-cost RN programs nationally, with their NCLEX pass rates alongside.
- FinderCompare nursing schoolsPut any nursing programs side by side on pass rate, cost, and outcomes.
- GuideHow Competitive Is Nursing School Admission?Estimate nursing-school competitiveness using seats, qualified applicants, point rubrics, recent cutoffs, attrition, and the parts of your application you can still change.
- Degree pathwayLPN to RNThe pay difference between a practical nurse and a registered nurse, and how practical-nursing and RN programs compare on pass rates, debt, and graduate earnings.