Compare 11 Nursing Science. programs in Washington. Average earnings: $81,324.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Nursing Science tells a different story. Across 11 programs in Washington, earnings range from $71,583 to $87,295—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation.
Western Washington University's Nursing Science program leads with graduates earning $87,295, well above the state average of $81,324. Gonzaga follows at $86,777, while Walla Walla delivers $85,847. The tight earnings spread shows Washington's nursing programs compete at a consistently high level.
For students, University of Washington-Seattle offers the lightest debt burden at 3.2% of discretionary income with $14,615 in borrowing. But families should consider Western Washington University, where total family debt creates just a 9.5% burden—landing in the 'Good' affordability tier despite higher earnings.
Highest program earnings: $87,295
Strong outcomes with 91% acceptance rate
3.2% payment burden | Excellent
9.5% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $87,295 | 30 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Good | |
| #2 | Gonzaga UniversityPrivate | $86,777 | 77 | $24,454 | Excellent | $37,652 | Manageable |
| #3 | Walla Walla UniversityPrivate | $85,847 | 67 | $26,842 | Excellent | $28,131 | Manageable |
| #4 | $84,469 | 169 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Good | |
| #5 | Seattle Pacific UniversityPrivate | $83,422 | 32 | $24,000 | Excellent | $37,687 | Manageable |
| #6 | Seattle UniversityPrivate | $82,480 | 157 | $19,883 | Excellent | $37,520 | Manageable |
| #7 | Saint Martin's UniversityPrivate | $80,995 | 15 | $22,500 | Excellent | $22,678 | Good |
| #8 | Northwest UniversityPrivate | $77,913 | 48 | $20,891 | Excellent | $17,284 | Good |
| #9 | $76,963 | 345 | $19,500 | Excellent | $29,968 | Manageable | |
| #10 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityPrivate | $76,825 | 82 | $22,578 | Excellent | $25,000 | Manageable |
| #11 | Whitworth UniversityPrivate | $71,583 | 25 | $25,000 | Excellent | $35,875 | Challenging |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
