2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Washington
Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their registered nursing programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 47 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall registered nursing education in Washington.
Top Schools in Registered Nursing
No school ranked higher than University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year for registered 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 350 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered 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.
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A rank of #2 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the top schools for registered nursing. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates 65% of students within six years. About 135 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $100,878 early in their careers. University Of Washington Bothell Campus graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans.
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Washington State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #3. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. Washington State University awarded about 346 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $103,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,500.
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Gonzaga University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #4 spot this year. Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Spokane. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Gonzaga University awarded about 253 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $114,954 in their early career. Gonzaga University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Seattle University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Seattle University awarded about 253 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $100,549 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #6 among the best registered nursing schools. 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. About 129 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earn around $100,878 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Shoreline Community College landed the #7 spot for registered nursing this year. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. Shoreline Community College awarded about 128 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $78,850 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,334 to complete this degree.
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Bellevue College earned the #8 position for registered nursing this year. Bellevue College is a large public school located in the city of Bellevue. Bellevue College awarded about 92 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Bellevue College generally make around $89,677. Students borrow a median of $18,766 to complete this degree.
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Highline Community College earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 65 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Highline Community College in the most recent data year. Registered 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.
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Western Washington University placed #10 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 14 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $80,808. Students borrow a median of $20,146 to complete this degree.
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Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. There were roughly 65 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lake Washington Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $83,313 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology
Bellingham Technical College earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Bellingham Technical College awarded about 60 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year.
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Walla Walla Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. Walla Walla Community College awarded about 100 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Walla Walla Community College generally make around $75,416. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree.
Read more about the registered nursing program at Walla Walla Community College
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #14 among the best registered nursing schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Community College Central Campus awarded about 104 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Seattle Community College Central Campus earn around $83,117 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,312 to complete this degree.
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Columbia Basin College earned the #15 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 75 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Columbia Basin College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $81,491 in their early career. Columbia Basin College graduates carry a median of $12,562 in student loans.
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Everett Community College placed #16 among the best registered nursing schools. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. About 104 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Everett Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $79,945 in their early career. Everett Community College graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans.
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Seattle Pacific University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Seattle Pacific University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 89 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Pacific University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Seattle Pacific University generally make around $81,671. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Seattle Pacific University
Tacoma Community College placed #18 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Tacoma, Tacoma Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Tacoma Community College awarded about 70 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Tacoma Community College earn around $82,447 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
See the full registered nursing program report for Tacoma Community College
Saint Martins University earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Lacey. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 70 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Saint Martins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $94,947 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,818.
More information about a degree in registered nursing from Saint Martins University
Northwest University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Northwest University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 36 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northwest University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Northwest University generally make around $84,504. Northwest University graduates carry a median of $25,893 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Northwest University
Lower Columbia College came in at #21 for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 121 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Lower Columbia College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Lower Columbia College earn around $75,715 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,103.
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Wenatchee Valley College placed #22 among the best registered nursing schools. Wenatchee Valley College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Wenatchee. Wenatchee Valley College awarded about 87 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $81,293 in their early career. Wenatchee Valley College graduates carry a median of $14,644 in student loans.
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Pacific Lutheran University placed #23 among the best registered nursing schools. Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Pacific Lutheran University awarded about 132 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Pacific Lutheran University generally make around $91,961. Pacific Lutheran University graduates carry a median of $29,000 in student loans.
See the full registered nursing program report for Pacific Lutheran University
Olympic College landed the #24 spot for registered nursing this year. Olympic College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bremerton. Olympic College awarded about 108 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Olympic College earn around $86,089 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
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Yakima Valley Community College landed the #25 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 57 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Yakima Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Yakima Valley Community College earn around $78,316 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,884 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 37 Registered Nursing Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong registered nursing education:
More Registered Nursing Rankings
View All Registered Nursing Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 47 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.