Best Online Nursing Programs in Washington (2026)

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Washington Nursing At a Glance

MetricDetail
Median Nursing Salary$140,998
Salary OutlookWashington offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing BodyWashington Board of Nursing
Accreditation RequiredInstitutional + Regional

Earning an online nursing degree in Washington offers a flexible path into nursing careers. Washington offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Washington students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Nursing Schools in Washington

The following schools offer accredited online nursing programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Washington.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
76.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 46%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $52,009
Avg net price $8,585/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 33

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

Washington State University

Pullman, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
74.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 66%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $68,905
Avg net price $14,971/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 79%
  • Programs offered: 15

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#3

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, WA
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
73.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 72%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $66,990
Avg net price $19,589/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 1

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Columbia Basin College

Pasco, WA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
61.3 BOC Score
Graduation rate 30%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $46,680
Avg net price $8,317/yr
Tuition
In‑state$6,555
Out‑of‑state$8,668
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 56

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

Green River College

Auburn, WA
  • 4 year
  • Accredited
56.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 40%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $50,712
Avg net price $13,803/yr
Tuition
In‑state$4,711
Out‑of‑state$5,263
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 49

Source:Accreditor: Northwest Commission on Colleges and UniversitiesIPEDSCollege Scorecard

#7

Centralia College

Centralia, WA
  • 4 year
56.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 46%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,140
Avg net price $9,862/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 44

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#8

Yakima Valley College

Yakima, WA
  • 4 year
55.9 BOC Score
Graduation rate 50%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $43,499
Avg net price $11,843/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Programs offered: 60

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard


Career Outlook and Salaries in Washington

Nursing professionals in Washington experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Washington.

OccupationMedian Annual Salary (Washington)
Registered Nurse$124,200
Licensed Practical Nurse$83,150
Nurse Anesthetist$274,390
Nurse Midwife$158,970
Nurse Practitioner$156,100
Nursing Assistant$49,180

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Nursing Degree in Washington?

Choosing a program in Washington can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Washington offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Licensing Alignment: Local nursing programs are designed to meet Washington Board of Nursing requirements, facilitating your path to RN or APRN licensure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are online nursing programs in Washington accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Nursing pay in Washington compare to other states?

Washington offers competitive wages for nursing professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Washington a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for nursing in Washington?

The Washington Board of Nursing oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Washington. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Nursing Programs by City in Washington

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Aberdeen · Auburn · Bainbridge Island · Battle Ground · Bellevue · Bellingham · Bonney Lake · Bothell · Bremerton · Burien · Camas · Centralia · Covington · Des Moines · Edmonds · Ellensburg · Everett · Federal Way · Issaquah · Kenmore · Kennewick · Kent · Kirkland · Lacey · Lake Stevens · Lakewood · Longview · Lynnwood · Maple Valley · Marysville · Mercer Island · Mill Creek · Moses Lake · Mount Vernon · Mountlake Terrace · Mukilteo · Oak Harbor · Olympia · Pasco · Port Angeles · Pullman · Puyallup · Redmond · Renton · Richland · Sammamish · SeaTac · Seattle · Sequim · Shoreline · Snoqualmie · Spokane · Spokane Valley · Tacoma · Tukwila · Tumwater · University Place · Vancouver · Walla Walla · Wenatchee · Yakima


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