by our College Data Analytics Team
[Nursing](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their nursing graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find where nursing graduates earn the most.
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If you want to know which schools send nursing graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in nursing, no school beat Blue Mountain Community College this year. Blue Mountain Community College is a public school located in the town of Pendleton. Early-career nursing graduates from Blue Mountain Community College make a median of around $97,243 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Clackamas Community College, which ranked #2. Clackamas Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Oregon City. Early-career nursing graduates from Clackamas Community College make a median of around $97,102 per year.
Northwest Christian University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Northwest Christian University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Eugene. Early-career nursing graduates from Northwest Christian University make a median of around $102,985 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Rogue Community College one of the highest-paying schools for nursing. Rogue Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Grants Pass. Nursing graduates of Rogue Community College earn a median of about $99,246 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in nursing will find them at Clatsop Community College, which ranked #5. Clatsop Community College is a public school located in the town of Astoria. Nursing graduates of Clatsop Community College earn a median of about $93,208 a year early in their careers.
Linfield College placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the town of McMinnville, Linfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $104,701.
University Of Portland placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. University Of Portland is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from University Of Portland typically earn about $103,904 annually.
Lane Community College landed the #8 spot for nursing salaries this year. Lane Community College is a public school located in the suburb of Eugene. Early-career nursing graduates from Lane Community College make a median of around $93,854 per year.
Mt Hood Community College earned the #9 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a public institution. Nursing graduates of Mt Hood Community College earn a median of about $93,156 a year early in their careers.
Linn Benton Community College placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Located in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Linn Benton Community College typically earn about $99,901 annually.
Umpqua Community College landed the #11 spot for nursing salaries this year. Umpqua Community College is a public school located in the town of Roseburg. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Umpqua Community College typically earn about $93,460 annually.
Sumner College earned the #12 position for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Portland, Sumner College is a private for-profit institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Sumner College make a median of around $95,773 per year.
Chemeketa Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Chemeketa Community College make a median of around $96,144 per year.
Portland Community College came in at #14 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Portland Community College make a median of around $98,021 per year.
George Fox University landed the #15 spot for nursing salaries this year. George Fox University is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Newberg. Nursing graduates of George Fox University earn a median of about $98,392 a year early in their careers.
Central Oregon Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the city of Bend, Central Oregon Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Central Oregon Community College typically earn about $90,003 annually.
Oregon Health And Science University came in at #17 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Oregon Health And Science University is a public school located in the city of Portland. Early-career nursing graduates from Oregon Health And Science University make a median of around $108,608 per year.
Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #18 for nursing graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of The Dalles, Columbia Gorge Community College is a public institution. Early-career nursing graduates from Columbia Gorge Community College make a median of around $85,693 per year.
Southwestern Oregon Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying nursing schools. Set in the town of Coos Bay, Southwestern Oregon Community College is a public institution. After graduating, nursing degree recipients from Southwestern Oregon Community College typically earn about $83,948 annually.
Treasure Valley Community College placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for nursing. Set in the town of Ontario, Treasure Valley Community College is a public institution. Students who complete the nursing program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,211.
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their nursing graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 20 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.