Compare NCLEX pass rates, tuition, earnings, and program formats across every accredited Oregon nursing program.
With the Oregon Employment Department projecting roughly 2,800 annual openings for registered nurses through 2033, demand for skilled nurses is clear. The OCNE partnership uniquely allows students to start at a community college and finish with an OHSU BSN, bridging access and quality.
Top programs range from research-focused OHSU, where graduates earn a national median of $101,028, to smaller private universities like Linfield and Sumner College. With NCLEX pass rates above 90% at many schools, the challenge is less about finding a good program and more about matching one's budget and timeline to the right pathway.
Our 2026 ranking of Oregon’s best nursing programs evaluates schools on affordability, student outcomes, and program quality. We considered net price, institution-wide graduation rates, and career earnings alongside program-specific features like NCLEX pass rates and clinical access. The top 10 schools reflect a range of degree levels and learning formats to help you find the right fit for your nursing career.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Sumner College | Portland, OR | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | No-prerequisite BSN pathway in Oregon | |
Sumner College offers Oregon’s only BSN program that requires no prerequisites, making it a uniquely accessible direct-entry option for aspiring registered nurses. The hybrid program combines online and on-campus coursework with clinicals over 32 months, with new cohorts starting every 10 weeks to fit varied timelines. Sumner reports a 98% retention rate and strong employer connections, with over 72% of students hired at their capstone sites. The program holds CCNE accreditation and is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.
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| #2 | University of Portland | Portland, OR | $28,000/yr (net price) | Social justice-focused BSN with simulation training | |
The University of Portland’s BSN program is rooted in social justice and population health, integrating ethical leadership with rigorous clinical training. Students practice in the campus’s high-fidelity Simulated Health Center and complete rotations at top Portland-area facilities. With a 9:1 student-faculty ratio and a strong graduate earnings record, the program offers a supportive path to an RN career.
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| #3 | Linfield University | McMinnville, OR | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | Accelerated MSN for career changers | |
Linfield University’s McMinnville and Portland campuses offer both a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and an accelerated Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing (MEPN) for career changers. The BSN emphasizes holistic care, social justice, and hands-on clinical experiences in state-of-the-art facilities. The MEPN is a 15-month campus-based MSN track for those with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, preparing graduates for NCLEX and RN licensure through an intensive, CCNE-accredited curriculum.
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| #4 | George Fox University | Newberg, OR | $30,000 – $35,000/yr | ||
George Fox University offers a CCNE-accredited BSN program that integrates a Christian worldview with rigorous clinical training. The program boasts a 96% first-time NCLEX pass rate and prepares students for RN licensure in all 50 states. With a holistic care emphasis and strong simulation clinics, students gain real-world experience in diverse settings.
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| #5 | Oregon Health & Science University | Portland, OR | |||
As Oregon’s only public academic health center, OHSU operates a coordinated, multi-campus BSN program designed to serve the state’s workforce needs. Through its leadership of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), OHSU partners with community colleges to create seamless ADN-to-BSN pathways. The three-year program emphasizes critical thinking and leadership, with clinical placements across Oregon, and boasts the highest 10-year median earnings among ranked schools at $101,028.
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| #6 | Bushnell University | Eugene, OR | ~$21,000/yr (est.) | ||
Bushnell University in Eugene offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) in 12 months and a traditional BSN, both with a Christian worldview. The ABSN features a 100% NCLEX pass rate and a 93.85% completion rate, with clinical rotations in local hospitals, clinics, and community settings. The programs emphasize ethical leadership and compassionate care, preparing students well for the licensure exam.
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| #7 | Warner Pacific University | Portland, OR | $25,000 – $30,000/yr | ||
Warner Pacific University’s pre-licensure BSN program in Portland emphasizes compassionate care and serves a diverse student body, including many Pell-eligible students. The CCNE-accredited curriculum includes extensive clinical experience, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. With a holistic admission process and a 92% retention rate, the program supports students from many backgrounds.
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| #8 | Oregon Coast Community College | Newport, OR | $8,000/yr (net price) | ||
Serving the central Oregon coast, Oregon Coast Community College offers an affordable AAS in Nursing that feeds directly into OHSU’s BSN through statewide articulation agreements. The OSBN-approved program combines classroom and clinical instruction, with a low net price of $7,666, making it an economical entry point into nursing.
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| #9 | Umpqua Community College | Roseburg, OR | $8,000/yr | ||
Umpqua Community College’s AAS in Registered Nursing benefits from OCNE alignment, enabling a smooth transfer to OHSU’s BSN. With an 85% NCLEX first-time pass rate and approximately 90% job placement in Douglas County and surrounding areas, the program is a strong workforce feeder for southern Oregon.
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| #10 | Southwestern Oregon Community College | Coos Bay, OR | $9,000/yr (net price) | ||
Southwestern Oregon Community College’s nursing program features a formal co-admission pathway to OHSU’s BSN, allowing students to plan their transition while completing the AAS. With a net price of $8,527, the program provides an affordable, OSBN-approved route to RN licensure, though it is not nationally accredited, so graduates should verify state requirements.
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This table compares annual in-state tuition, median graduate debt, and national median earnings for BSN graduates from Oregon nursing schools. Data comes from the College Scorecard and IPEDS, reflecting federal financial aid recipients. Earnings are measured 10 years after enrolling and may vary by employer and specialty.
| School | In-State Tuition | Median Graduate Debt | Median Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon Health & Science University | $24,306 | $16,625 | $101,028 |
| University of Portland | $58,100 | $21,370 | $82,804 |
| Linfield University | $51,736 | $25,000 | $78,638 |
| Oregon Institute of Technology | $13,260 | $22,500 | $72,273 |
| George Fox University | $41,320 | $24,250 | $59,761 |
| Warner Pacific University | $22,220 | $25,000 | $55,204 |
| Warner Pacific University Professional and Graduate Studies | $14,640 | $25,000 | $55,204 |
| Bushnell University | $35,800 | $23,500 | $53,623 |
| Eastern Oregon University | $11,184 | $20,500 | $50,112 |
| Southern Oregon University | $12,762 | $20,332 | $49,175 |
| Corban University | $37,963 | $22,625 | $48,917 |
| Sumner College | N/A | $16,500 | $46,639 |
Oregon offers multiple pathways to a nursing career, from affordable community college ADN programs to fast-track accelerated BSNs for career changers. The OCNE partnership further streamlines the journey by letting students start at a community college and finish a BSN at OHSU. Use this roadmap to find the timeline and budget that match your goals.
What does the co-admission process actually look like for a nursing student entering through a community college? The Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE) makes it possible to start at a local community college and finish with an OHSU Bachelor of Science in Nursing without ever reapplying.
The partnership between OHSU School of Nursing and nine Oregon community colleges follows a straightforward, fully mapped pathway from associate degree to BSN. Here is how the process works:
As of 2024, the nine community colleges that participate in this co-admission model are:
No colleges have joined or left the consortium since 2023, making this a stable network with six OHSU campus locations including Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Monmouth, Portland, and a fully online option for BSN completion.
Paying community college tuition rates for the majority of your pre-licensure nursing courses delivers substantial savings. While enrolled in the AAS portion of the pathway, you pay your community college’s per-credit rate, not OHSU’s university tuition. This means the first two years of your BSN, often the most expensive phase at a traditional four-year university, cost thousands less. Once you transition to OHSU for the final BSN courses, you pay OHSU’s published tuition for those remaining credits, but by then you may already be earning a registered nurse’s salary and could benefit from employer tuition assistance.
Completing the OCNE pathway does not result in a different degree or transcript notation. You graduate with the exact same Bachelor of Science in Nursing awarded to students who started at OHSU as freshmen. The diploma, the credential for licensure, and the career prospects are indistinguishable. Employers recognize that the curriculum is standardized across all OCNE sites, so your clinical judgment and foundational knowledge align with the same high standards expected of any OHSU nursing graduate.
The OCNE co-admission process is distinct from other statewide nursing education partnerships, such as the RN to BSN Statewide Community College Consortium, which serves a different student population. If you are starting fresh or early in your prerequisites, the OCNE shared curriculum and guaranteed progression offer the most direct route from community college to an OHSU BSN.
Graduate outcomes measure what you can realistically expect to earn after completing a BSN program in Oregon. While precise early-career salary data for individual programs is not yet available, long-term earnings figures from the College Scorecard and statewide wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics offer a clear picture of nursing salaries in the state.
The College Scorecard reports median earnings of former students 10 years after they first enrolled, a useful proxy for long-term income potential. Among top Oregon nursing schools, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) leads with median earnings of $101,028, followed by the University of Portland at $82,804 and Linfield University at $78,638. Oregon Institute of Technology reports $72,273, while George Fox University and Warner Pacific University show medians of $59,761 and $55,204, respectively. These numbers represent all graduates from each institution, not just nursing majors, but nursing programs typically drive the results for these schools.
Registered nurses in Oregon earn a mean annual wage of $106,610 as of May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics1. That figure is roughly 5% above the national median of $101,1002. Actual pay varies by location: the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area tends to offer higher salaries than smaller cities like Salem or Eugene, and rural regions generally pay less. Even at the lower end, Oregon nurses outearn their counterparts in many other states, reflecting strong demand for nursing careers and a higher cost of living in the Pacific Northwest.
A simple ROI ratio (median earnings divided by median debt at graduation) helps gauge financial value. OHSU graduates carry a median debt of just $16,625, producing an exceptional ratio of 6.1, meaning earnings exceed debt by more than six times. University of Portland (ratio 3.9) and Linfield University (3.1) also offer solid returns, despite higher tuition. Even programs with lower ratios, such as George Fox (2.5) or Bushnell University (2.3), still show graduates earning substantially more than they borrowed, underscoring the strong wage floor in Oregon nursing.
Registered nurse salaries vary across Oregon’s metro areas, reflecting regional demand and cost-of-living differences. Using the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2023, Portland offers the highest median annual wage at $105,470, while Medford is lower at $94,120. All five highlighted metros exceed the national median of $86,070, with the statewide median sitting at $101,700. These wage differences can influence where new nurses choose to work and live, with higher urban salaries often paired with steeper housing costs, while smaller cities like Medford and Bend may offer more affordable living conditions. Job availability, workplace environment, and career growth opportunities also factor into a nurse’s location decision.
Securing a spot in an Oregon BSN program takes more than a strong interest in healthcare; it requires meeting specific academic benchmarks and navigating a selective admissions process. While requirements differ across schools, a few common threads tie the state’s top programs together.
Almost every BSN program in Oregon expects applicants to complete a set of foundational courses before enrolling. The list typically includes anatomy and physiology (often with lab), microbiology, statistics, and developmental psychology across the lifespan. Some schools add chemistry, nutrition, or sociology. For example, OHSU’s 3-year BSN requires 28 credits of prerequisites, with a minimum grade of C- in each.1 Its accelerated BSN raises the bar to a B- in all prerequisite courses.2 Completing these courses early, and performing well, is essential, especially since many programs evaluate prerequisite GPA separately from overall GPA.
Admissions committees look closely at both overall and prerequisite GPAs. A 3.0 cumulative GPA is a common baseline, though competitive applicants often exceed that figure. OHSU’s traditional BSN sets a hard floor of 3.01, while its accelerated BSN also demands a 3.0 prerequisite GPA2. Some private universities may publish slightly lower institutional minimums, but the nursing applicant pool pushes actual cutoffs higher.
The TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) remains a staple for many schools, but test-optional policies are spreading. In 2026, OHSU does not require the TEAS for either its 3-year or accelerated BSN tracks.12 However, other programs in the state may still consider TEAS scores, often targeting a benchmark in the mid-70s to mid-80s percentile range. Always verify the current testing policy on each program’s admissions page.
Institution-wide acceptance rates can paint a misleading picture of nursing school competitiveness. For example, University of Portland and Linfield University report university-wide admission rates of 89% and 85%, respectively. Those numbers apply to all applicants, not just nursing. Nursing cohorts are far smaller and typically admit only a fraction of interested students. OHSU’s nursing program is housed within a graduate-focused health sciences university, so a standard institutional admission rate isn’t available, but its nursing programs are notoriously selective. Small cohort sizes, often 40 to 80 students, help preserve clinical placement quality but intensify competition.
Most Oregon BSN programs use centralized application platforms like NursingCAS. OHSU’s 3-year BSN has a priority deadline of February 15 and a final deadline of April 15 for fall entry.3 The accelerated track moves even faster: priority deadline January 5, final February 1.3 Other schools spread deadlines throughout winter and spring, but early submission is often tied to priority consideration for scholarships or clinical placement preferences. Rolling admissions at some institutions reward applicants who submit early. Planning backwards from your target term, and tracking each school’s unique timeline, can make or break an application.
NCLEX pass rates for Oregon BSN programs are pulled directly from the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), but they don’t factor into the composite ranking score. Instead, the ranking model focuses on four financial and outcome metrics that directly affect a nursing student’s return on investment.
Each school receives a weighted score built from these four data points:
NCLEX first-time pass rates are critical for evaluating program quality, but they aren’t included in the composite score. Why? Because the pass-rate data comes from OSBN, not from a consistent federal source, and aggregation across school types can distort comparisons. Still, every school profile and ranking commentary points to NCLEX performance so readers can weigh it alongside the financial metrics.
Schools that have permanently closed, like Concordia University, are left out of the current rankings entirely. The directory only features active, currently accepting programs, so the list reflects real options available to Oregon nursing applicants. Ultimately, the ranking gives more weight to what graduates actually earn and owe than to how quickly they pass a licensing exam.
Oregon faces strong demand for nurses: the Oregon Employment Department projects roughly 2,800 annual openings for registered nurses each year from 2023 to 2033.
Prospective nursing students in Oregon often ask these questions. Here are quick answers based on the data and insights from our ranking. For more details, explore the sections throughout this guide.
Beyond the top-ranked programs, Oregon offers many additional nursing schools across the state. Programs at Concordia University in Portland permanently closed in 2020, so prospective students should not apply. Explore the directory below to find accredited programs near you.
