Best Nursing Schools in Washington: Programs, Tuition & How to Apply
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 4, 2026
Washington has 15 nursing programs from $4,057 at Spokane CC to $54,285 at Seattle University, with UW graduates earning $113,500.
Overview of Nursing Education in Washington
Washington offers 15 nursing programs, all classified as universities though several function as community colleges with 2-year programs. The University of Washington anchors the state's nursing education, and Seattle's major health systems provide abundant clinical opportunities.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Washington-Seattle is the flagship with doctoral nursing graduates earning $113,500/year. In-state tuition is $12,643 with a 42.5% acceptance rate and 84.0% graduation rate.
Gonzaga University (Spokane) offers doctoral nursing at $53,500/year with graduates earning $141,146 — the highest in the state.
Seattle University provides Master's programs at $54,285/year with $120,076 nursing earnings.
Washington State University (Pullman) has doctoral nursing programs at $12,997/year with graduates earning $117,478 — strong value for a major research university.
UW-Bothell and UW-Tacoma offer Master's programs at ~$12,600/year with graduates earning $97,725, extending UW quality to the suburbs.
Bellevue College stands out at just $4,305/year with BSN graduates earning $97,067 — remarkable value.
Community College-Level Programs
Several Washington institutions offer affordable ADN-level programs:
- Spokane Community College: $4,057/year, $68,670 earnings
- Everett Community College: $4,301/year, $74,171 earnings
- Clark College (Vancouver): $4,632/year, $72,393 earnings
- Pierce College (Lakewood): $4,686/year, $55,767 earnings
- Seattle Central College: $4,865/year, $83,117 earnings
Nursing Job Market
Seattle's healthcare sector is among the strongest in the country. Swedish Medical Center, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, UW Medicine, and MultiCare Health System provide extensive employment. Eastern Washington (Spokane area) also has strong nursing demand through Providence and MultiCare.
Financial Aid
- Washington College Grant — covers full tuition at public institutions for qualifying families
- College Bound Scholarship — for low-income students who sign up in 7th/8th grade
- Federal aid available at all programs
Next Steps
Search Washington nursing programs on GradeToGrad.
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