Best Nursing Schools in Seattle WA in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

If you’re looking for a nursing school in Washington, you’re in luck. In Washington State and around the country, nursing is the top health profession. Since most patients have more interactions with their nurses than their doctors, many organizations feel it’s very important to have staff with advanced training. Organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing have advocated for more access to undergraduate and graduate nursing degrees. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or above, nurses are qualified for positions with higher pay rates and more promotional opportunities. Bridge programs from nursing schools in Seattle WA area allow for registered nurses to earn their BSN degrees in an abbreviated timeframe.

Now is the perfect time to enter the rewarding profession. The nursing industry is expected to grow by as much as 15 percent over the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As the baby boomer generation enters retirement age, more and more nursing jobs will be left vacant. When choosing a job in nursing, the benefits are not limited to scheduling flexibility, retirement plans, insurance coverage, long-term job security, more chances for upward mobility, and reduced unemployment rates.

Compare Nursing Schools in Seattle WA in 2024

All nursing schools in Seattle WA are conveniently located nearby nationally and regionally ranked medical centers. As just one example, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is one of the best cancer treatment facilities in the nation. Although there are dozens of Seattle area hospitals, additional nationally ranked locations include the University of Washington Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, and the Swedish Medical Center.

After graduating from any of the nursing schools in Seattle, the healthcare worker may choose to secure a position in the city. More than 3.7 million people live in the Seattle metropolitan area. Seattle real estate is expensive, but cost-effective if residing outside the city limits. Also, since the area has a higher cost of living, nurses make very competitive salaries when working in the city.

The following are the top nursing schools in Seattle WA with on-campus and online courses for prospective nurses. Learn more about nursing programs available nationwide by visiting RNtoBSNProgram.com.

1. University of Washington

The School of Nursing at the University of Washington is one of the best BSN nursing schools in Seattle, WA area. The BSN and accelerated BSN programs are top-rated in the state with the college graduating almost 400 students yearly. Although graduate degrees are currently offered such as a DNP and MSN, the university does also have multiple certificate programs including Nurse Midwifery, Palliative Care, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology. The accelerated BSN requires no previous experience, but offers the opportunity for self-motivated students to graduate after four back-to-back quarters.

• Tuition: $11,207
• Admissions: Pre-requisite degree courses
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: BSN, MSN, DNP, Post-Graduate Certificates
• Minimum Program Length: 2 to 4 years

2. WGU Washington Online

Western Governors University has a virtual learning program for nursing students called WGU Washington Online. The degree tracks are geared to those with some nursing experience and obtain a current RN license in Washington State. For an undergraduate degree, an RN to BSN bridge is available. For graduate-level programs, online students have options such as RN to MSN or BSN to MSN. Graduation can be done within 18 months of online study at WGU Washington Online. WGU is one of the most affordable distance-learning nursing schools in Washington.

• Tuition: $6,670
• Admissions: RN license for bridge programs
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 18 months

3. Seattle Central Community College

Like many other nursing schools in Seattle, the Seattle Central Community College focuses on offering programs to prospective registered nurses. The two-year program blends both on-campus courses with clinical hours at a medical facility. At the end of the program, the ADN graduate will be prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Graduates can also choose to transfer to a four-year university since the school has transfer agreements for BSN students.

• Tuition: $3,669
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

4. Bellevue College

Bellevue College is the ideal option for those looking for entry-level nursing jobs. Multiple registered nurse pathways are available through the college, including an RN to BSN bridge. This allows the nurse to earn a bachelor’s degree in less than two years. Additional degree options include an Associate Degree in Nursing to prep students to sit for the NCLEX-RN. Bellevue College has an excellent reputation for providing flexible schedules for working professionals.

• Tuition: $3,778
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN, RN to BSN
• Minimum Program Length: 1 to 2 years

5. Everett Community College

The associate degree program at Everett Community College is ideal for those new to nursing. At the end of the program, nursing students are prepared to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and pass. The associate degree program has a very high success rate with 94 percent of students passing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. Job placement rates for the college are 100 percent among nursing degree graduates.

• Tuition: $3,794
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

6. Highline College

At Highline College, the nursing school aims to prepare students for careers as registered nurses. Two key programs are offered on-site: a traditional associate degree (ADN) and a bridge course of study for licensed LPNs. LPNs can finish graduation requirements at least six months sooner. Highline College has a 96 percent first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate and a 100 percent program completion rate.

• Tuition: $4,026
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation:  Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

7. Lake Washington Institute of Technology

As one of the best certified nursing assistant schools in Seattle, WA, Lake Washington Institute of Technology has two options for those interested in nursing: a program for certified nursing assistants (CNA) or an associate degree track that qualifies nurses to sit for the NCLEX-RN. The CNA program can be finished within a year of full-time study while the ADN program will take approximately two years. Program completion rates are over 92 percent with 90 percent passing the NCLEX on the first try.

• Tuition: $4,251
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACEN)
• Degree Options: CNA, ADN
• Minimum Program Length: 1 to 2 years

8. North Seattle College

North Seattle College offers a two-year degree program for nurses. Courses will delve into topics such as health assessments, pharmaceuticals, critical care, and ethics. The community college has multiple transfer agreements with nursing schools in Seattle WA for those interested in pursuing a BSN degree or higher. North Seattle College offers a high return on investment due to low tuition costs and superior levels of post-graduation job placements.

• Tuition: $4,461
• Admissions: None
• Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACEN)
• Degree Options: ADN
• Minimum Program Length: 2 years

9. Northwest University

Northwest University offers plenty of learning opportunities for those interested in the field of nursing. A traditional four-year BSN degree is available as well as an online RN to BSN bridge option. The bridge takes only 18 months to finish with full-time study. An online MSN degree can also be earned through the university’s virtual portal in the same length of time. With accelerated courses of study, tuition costs are drastically reduced.

• Tuition: $31,540
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: BSN, RN to BSN, MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 18 months for RN to BSN and MSN, 3 to 4 years for BSN

10. Seattle Pacific University

The BSN program from Seattle Pacific University is considered an upper-division degree that can be entered into after completing a liberal arts foundation. Undergraduate and graduate program options follow a traditional format with courses taken on-campus and at local clinical placements. Degrees available include BSN, MSN, and DNP. The university has a very high first-time pass rate average of 90 percent for NCLEX test takers.

• Tuition: $42,939
• Admissions: Pre-requisite degree courses
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: BSN, MSN, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 4 years

11. Seattle University

Seattle University offers very traditional learning programs in the field of nursing. The college has a BSN program open to all students without any bridge or accelerated learning option available. Full-time students take four years to earn their BSN degrees. Graduate degree programs do offer more flexibility including an Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion track that allows non-nursing students earn a DNP without previous healthcare experience. The college is also one of the few nursing schools in Seattle to have a Bachelor of Science in Diagnostic Ultrasound available to nurses.

• Tuition: $44,610
• Admissions: Pre-requisite degree courses
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: BSN, MSN, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 4 to 6 years

Bonus Online Options

Sometimes attending a traditional campus isn’t a viable option for students. The following schools offer nursing programs 100% online for nursing students in the Seattle, Washington area.

Utica College Online

For nurses looking to earn a BSN and higher online, they can consider Utica College. The college has an RN to BSN bridge with students able to earn their undergraduate degrees in just 16 months of online study. To qualify for the bridge program, nurses must’ve earned their initial RN licenses in the last 10 years. Three master’s level online degrees are available too: an MSN with a specialization in Nursing Leadership, Nursing Education, or Family Nurse Practitioner. Utica College has flexible course schedule times to work with any schedule and a low tuition cost for a private university.

• Tuition: $21,382
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 16 months

Maryville University Online

Maryville University has a 100 percent online degree option for licensed Seattle nurses. For the undergraduate program, the college has an RN to BSN bridge. The graduate department has online degrees for MSN, BSN to DNP, and DNP. All curriculums use past clinical experience to reduce graduation times. Current BSN degree holders can earn their doctoral degrees in just 40 months of online study. The RN to BSN track is typically completed in two years or less. Graduate-level degrees have specializations such as Psychiatry, Pediatrics, and Adult Gerontology.

• Tuition: $28,470
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, BSN to DNP, MSN, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 3 semesters for RN to BSN, 2 to 4 years for all other degree options

Misericordia University Online

Misericordia University provides online degrees to Seattle registered nurses with a previously earned bachelor’s degree. The college’s DNP bridge program is for nurses with a BSN from an accredited college. Graduate program completion times range between two and three years of online study. Within six to nine months of conferment, Misericordia University nurses have a 100 percent post-graduation job placement rate.

• Tuition: $30,740
• Admissions: BSN
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: MSN, BSN to DNP, DNP
• Minimum Program Length: 2 to 4 years

Benedictine University Online

At Benedictine University’s virtual campus, experienced nurses can enter into the RN to BSN bridge or traditional MSN. The RN to BSN degree can be finished in just one year of full-time study. To qualify for the two-year MSN, students must obtain a BSN from an accredited college or university. Program outcomes for the online degrees are very positive with 95 to 100 percent of graduates finding employment within their field in less than a year.

• Tuition: $34,290
• Admissions: RN license for bridge program
• Accreditation:  Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, MSN
• Minimum Program Length: 1 year for RN to BSN, 2 years for MSN

Sacred Heart University Online

Sacred Heart University’s online nursing programs are an alternative learning option. Virtual courses are available exclusively for registered nurses and graduate students. Sacred Heart University has one of the only online Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree tracks. Bridge programs include RN to BSN and RN to MSN, which both allow students to apply work experience toward degree requirements. Another option is to secure clinical placements abroad in school-sponsored locations such as Haiti, Jamaica, Luxembourg, and Mexico.

• Tuition: $41,420
• Admissions: RN license for bridge programs
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Degree Options: RN to BSN, RN to MSN, MSN, DNP, FNP
• Minimum Program Length: 2 to 4 years

Methodology

All nursing schools in Seattle WA were ranked on three features: current annual tuition costs, nursing degree options, and program outcomes. Tuition costs made up of 50 percent of each school’s score while program availability and graduation/NCLEX pass rates were calculated equally for the other 50 percent. Tuition costs are subject to change annually for both online and on-campus programs. If any nursing schools in Seattle are not listed above or any colleges note an error, please contact our editorial team to make the necessary corrections.

Prospective and current nursing students are invited to visit RNtoBSNProgram.com to learn more about the best nursing schools in Seattle WA and around the globe. Reviews highlight multiple degree options that are made available online, on-campus, and through hybrid nursing programs.