Rankings / By State
Best Nursing Colleges in Washington
- 39
- Schools
- $52,695
- Avg. Earnings
- 45%
- Avg. Graduation
- $13,257
- Avg. Net Price
- $14,860
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Median graduate earnings across these 39 schools run from $35,447 to $78,892, a 2.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
-
Northwest Indian College delivers the most for the money: roughly $35,447 in median earnings against $3,136 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
-
Northwest Indian College is the lowest-cost school here at $3,136 a year in net price.
-
Gonzaga University graduates 87% of its students, versus a 45% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
-
University of Washington-Seattle Campus carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.19× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Pacific Lutheran University ($66,990 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Gonzaga University ($78,892), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Northwest Indian College costs $3,136 a year and Gonzaga University costs $35,119. Yet their graduates earn $35,447 and $78,892, nowhere near the $31,983 price gap.
- On value, Northwest Indian College beats Gonzaga University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Northwest Indian College and Gonzaga University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Healthcare is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $48K within a decade, and registered nurse roles are projected to grow 6%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Pacific Lutheran University #1 overall | $66,990 ▲ +27% vs avg | $19,589 | 70% | 85 |
| 2 Seattle University #2 overall | $75,272 ▲ +43% vs avg | $34,662 | 74% | 83 |
| 3 Seattle Pacific University #3 overall | $64,506 ▲ +22% vs avg | $24,488 | 62% | 79 |
| $40,691 ▼ -23% vs avg | $7,630 | 24% | 78 | |
| $54,914 ▲ +4% vs avg | $22,288 | 67% | 77 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Nursing Colleges in Washington
This analysis ranks 39 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $52,695 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 45% and an average net price of $13,257.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Northwest Indian College — Net Price: $3,136 | Graduation Rate: 22%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Gonzaga University — 87% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Gonzaga University — Median alumni earnings: $78,892
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Healthcare Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the U.S. healthcare workforce?
$47,532
Median earnings (10yr)
39%
Median graduation rate
$11,010
Median net price
1.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Few sectors of the economy depend more directly on what colleges produce than healthcare. Chronic shortages across nursing and allied health have made workforce training a bottleneck for the entire system. Schools rise on this list by combining rigorous instruction with clinical placements and high licensure pass rates, the bridge between enrolling and actually practicing.
Across the 39 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $47,532 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 39%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $11,010 a year, with about $13,501 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.5%.
What we’re seeing: demographic pressure keeps demand high, and programs with embedded clinical networks convert that demand into employment fastest. Pacific Lutheran University leads the list, and graduates across these programs earn a median of $47,532 ten years after enrollment. The constraint is not jobs. It is clinical capacity and licensure throughput, and that is where the strongest programs pull away.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Pacific Lutheran University lands at #1 with a 85/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $66,990 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,589 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Seattle University lands at #2 with a 83/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $75,272 a decade after enrolling, 43% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,662 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Seattle Pacific University lands at #3 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $64,506 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,488 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Lower Columbia College lands at #4 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $40,691 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,630 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Northwest University lands at #5 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $54,914 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,288 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Walla Walla University lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $61,885 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,329 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Western Washington University lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $62,569 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,193 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Skagit Valley College lands at #8 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,505 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,064 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Tacoma Community College lands at #9 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $47,168 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,376 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Everett Community College lands at #10 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $45,434 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,684 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Washington State University lands at #11 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $68,905 a decade after enrolling, 31% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,971 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Gonzaga University lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $78,892 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Walla Walla Community College lands at #13 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,526 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,406 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Saint Martin's University lands at #14 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $62,092 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,119 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Seattle, WA · 39% accepted · $14,091 net
Why it ranks #15
University of Washington-Seattle Campus lands at #15 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (88/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,091 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Olympic College lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,169 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,172 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Bellevue College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $56,310 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,430 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Columbia Basin College lands at #18 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $46,680 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,317 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Eastern Washington University lands at #19 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $57,897 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,886 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Whatcom Community College lands at #20 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $44,092 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,795 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Wenatchee Valley College lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $41,127 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,722 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Clark College lands at #22 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (65/100). Graduates earn a median $42,356 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,465 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Seattle Central College lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $43,307 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,819 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Grays Harbor College lands at #24 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $40,865 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,783 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Heritage University lands at #25 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $49,416 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,598 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Shoreline College lands at #26 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $52,009 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,585 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Big Bend Community College lands at #27 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $43,814 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,210 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Highline College lands at #28 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,869 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,879 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus lands at #29 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,163 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Bothell, WA · 91% accepted · $12,319 net
Why it ranks #30
University of Washington-Bothell Campus lands at #30 with a 64/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (32/100). Graduates earn a median $78,466 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $12,319 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Green River College lands at #31 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (75/100) and pulled down by social mobility (51/100). Graduates earn a median $50,712 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,803 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
South Puget Sound Community College lands at #32 with a 61/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (66/100). Graduates earn a median $45,039 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,132 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Edmonds College lands at #33 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (50/100). Graduates earn a median $48,144 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,010 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Yakima Valley College lands at #34 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (44/100). Graduates earn a median $43,499 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,843 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Centralia College lands at #35 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $43,140 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,862 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Spokane Community College lands at #36 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (39/100). Graduates earn a median $41,984 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,473 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Pierce College District lands at #37 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by social mobility (52/100). Graduates earn a median $47,532 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,222 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Spokane Falls Community College lands at #38 with a 54/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $38,955 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,409 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Northwest Indian College lands at #39 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (95/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $35,447 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,136 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 39 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Registered Nurses and related roles — a field with $86,070 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the Registered Nurse career guide →Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for aspiring healthcare professionals. In Washington, a range of colleges offer nursing degrees, but not all programs deliver the same outcomes. For instance, the average earnings for nursing graduates in the state hover around $52,751, highlighting the potential financial impact of a well-chosen program.
What distinguishes the top nursing colleges from others? It comes down to key metrics like graduation rates, post-graduation earnings, debt levels, and mobility. The schools on this list are ranked based on these outcomes, helping prospective students and families understand which programs might set them up for success in their nursing careers. A higher graduation rate, for example, often reflects a more supportive learning environment.
Take the University of Washington-Seattle Campus and Pacific Lutheran University. Both schools offer valuable nursing programs, yet they differ significantly in graduation rates: 84% at UW-Seattle compared to 70% at PLU. This difference could mean a smoother transition into the workforce for students at UW-Seattle, despite PLU's higher net price of $19,589 compared to $14,091 at UW-Seattle. Such contrasts are essential to consider as you weigh your options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 26 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.5%. Saint Martin's University leads the group at 3%, with Grays Harbor College (2%) and Eastern Washington University (1.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Heritage University leads at 19.4%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 19.6% across this list. Seattle University posts the highest success rate at 40.3%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.36 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Seattle University reaches 1.85, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When examining the data, one notable pattern emerges: the graduation rates at the University of Washington-Seattle Campus and University of Washington-Tacoma Campus. While both schools have the same average earnings of $78,466, UW-Seattle's graduation rate stands at 84%, compared to Tacoma's 63%. This discrepancy suggests that UW-Seattle may provide a more effective support system for nursing students, leading to higher completion rates.
After reviewing the rankings, consider how these metrics align with your personal priorities. If financial considerations are paramount, weigh the debt levels against potential earnings. If you value a supportive campus environment, prioritize schools with higher graduation rates. Visit campuses, talk to current students, and connect with alumni to understand the program fit and overall experience.
Ultimately, the choice of nursing school is a significant one, impacting not just education but the path to a stable career. Families are investing time and resources into this decision, and understanding these numbers can help guide that investment. For instance, opting for a program with a higher graduation rate may lead to better job stability and income, making a tangible difference for the next generation of nurses.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Nursing Colleges in Washington: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Nursing Colleges in Washington ranking? +
Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Nursing Colleges in Washington ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $66,990 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 70% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Gonzaga University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $78,892 ten years after enrollment, well above the $52,695 average across the 39 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Northwest Indian College leads: graduates earn a median $35,447 against net price of about $3,136 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Gonzaga University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 87%, compared with a 45% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $13,257 a year across the 39 ranked schools with cost data. Northwest Indian College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,136. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Nursing Colleges in Washington ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 39 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
