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2026 Best Nursing Schools in Washington

38 Colleges in the United States
3,790 Nursing Degrees Awarded
$83,438 Avg Early-Career Salary

Nursing programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their nursing programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 47 schools to find the best for nursing students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Nursing in Washington

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall nursing education in Washington.

Top Schools in Nursing

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in nursing. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 355 nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $107,063. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 135 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $100,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,750. See the full nursing program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

3

Washington State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. About 60% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 396 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Washington State University in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $103,901 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Washington State University

4
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Spokane. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Gonzaga University awarded about 274 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $114,954 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Gonzaga University

5
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 335 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $100,549. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing from Seattle University

6

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #6 spot for nursing this year. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 129 nursing students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $100,878 in their early career. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for University Of Washington Tacoma Campus

7

Shoreline Community College placed #7 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 128 nursing degrees were awarded at Shoreline Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $78,850 in their early career. Shoreline Community College graduates carry a median of $16,334 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing from Shoreline Community College

8
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College placed #8 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. About 92 nursing degrees were awarded at Bellevue College in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Bellevue College earn around $89,677 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,766. More information about a degree in nursing from Bellevue College

9

Highline Community College placed #9 among the best nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 65 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Nursing graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $84,619 early in their careers. Highline Community College graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Highline Community College

10

Western Washington University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 14 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $80,808 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,146. Read more about the nursing program at Western Washington University

11

Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best nursing schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the suburb of Kirkland. About 65 nursing degrees were awarded at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $83,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. See the full nursing program report for Lake Washington Institute Of Technology

12

Bellingham Technical College came in at #12 for nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Bellingham. There were roughly 60 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Bellingham Technical College in the most recent data year. See the full nursing program report for Bellingham Technical College

13

Walla Walla Community College landed the #13 spot for nursing this year. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 100 nursing degrees were awarded at Walla Walla Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $75,416 early in their careers. Walla Walla Community College graduates carry a median of $20,625 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Walla Walla Community College

14

Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #14 spot for nursing this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. About 104 nursing degrees were awarded at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $83,117 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,312 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Seattle Community College Central Campus

15

Columbia Basin College came in at #15 for nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 75 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $81,491. Students borrow a median of $12,562 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Columbia Basin College

16

Everett Community College came in at #16 for nursing this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Everett Community College awarded about 104 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Everett Community College earn around $79,945 in the first couple years of their career. Everett Community College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Everett Community College

17

Seattle Pacific University placed #17 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 109 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $81,671 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in nursing from Seattle Pacific University

18

Tacoma Community College placed #18 among the best nursing schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 70 nursing degrees were awarded at Tacoma Community College in the most recent year. Nursing graduates of Tacoma Community College earn a median of $82,447 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Read more about the nursing program at Tacoma Community College

19

Saint Martins University came in at #19 for nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lacey. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Martins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $94,947 in their early career. Saint Martins University graduates carry a median of $22,818 in student loans. See the full nursing program report for Saint Martins University

20
Northwest University crest
Northwest University
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University came in at #20 for nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Northwest University awarded about 36 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Northwest University generally make around $84,504. Northwest University graduates carry a median of $25,893 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Northwest University

21

Lower Columbia College earned the #21 position for nursing this year. Located in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public university. Lower Columbia College awarded about 121 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing degree from Lower Columbia College earn around $75,715 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,103 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing program at Lower Columbia College

22

Wenatchee Valley College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Wenatchee. About 87 nursing degrees were awarded at Wenatchee Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Wenatchee Valley College generally make around $81,293. Students borrow a median of $14,644 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing details for Wenatchee Valley College

23

Pacific Lutheran University placed #23 among the best nursing schools. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. About 69% of students finish within six years. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 180 nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $91,961 in their early career. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans. Get the full nursing details for Pacific Lutheran University

24
Olympic College crest
Olympic College
Bremerton, WA

Olympic College came in at #24 for nursing this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. About 108 nursing degrees were awarded at Olympic College in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing program make about $86,089 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000. Read more about the nursing program at Olympic College

25

Yakima Valley Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best nursing schools. Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Yakima. There were roughly 57 nursing students who graduated with this degree at Yakima Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Yakima Valley Community College generally make around $78,316. Yakima Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Read more about the nursing program at Yakima Valley Community College

Rest of the Top 37 Nursing Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s nursing ranking:

26
27
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA
28
Walla Walla University crest
Walla Walla University
College Place, WA
29
Centralia College crest
Centralia College
Centralia, WA
30
31
Peninsula College crest
Peninsula College
Port Angeles, WA
32
Heritage University crest
Heritage University
Toppenish, WA
33
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA
34
Grays Harbor College crest
Grays Harbor College
Aberdeen, WA
35
36
37

View All Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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