Compare DC nursing programs side by side — tuition, NCLEX outcomes, earnings, and admissions at a glance.
A two-year associate degree from UDC costs roughly $10,600 after aid; a traditional BSN at Georgetown runs over $40,800 net. That gap defines nursing education in the capital.
Georgetown, GWU, Howard, Catholic, and Trinity feed the metro’s hospital systems, where RNs earn well above the national norm. The trade-off: lower net prices at Trinity ($9,300) lack the resources of top-tier programs, while Georgetown and GWU graduates clear six figures a decade out.
Program selectivity amplifies the stakes, since Howard and Georgetown admit fewer than half of applicants, and NCLEX success demands rigorous clinical hours. Choosing a program means weighing upfront debt against a labor market that reliably rewards the credential.
Washington, DC's nursing schools range from direct-entry BSN programs at research universities to affordable associate degree pathways and HBCU options. This ranking compares seven programs across cost, clinical preparation, and graduate outcomes, with details on median earnings and return on investment where available. Use the profiles below to find the best fit for your goals, budget, and schedule.
| Rank | School | Location | Net price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Georgetown University | Washington, DC | $60,000 – $65,000/yr (est.) | Direct-entry nursing students valuing clinical depth | |
Georgetown University offers a direct-entry BSN grounded in Jesuit values and experiential learning, with more than 800 clinical, lab, and simulation hours, early clinical exposure, and a senior practicum at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. The school also offers a direct-entry MSN for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, and both pathways emphasize evidence-based practice and health equity. Georgetown's overall graduation rate is 95%, and graduates benefit from a strong earnings-to-debt return, with median earnings well above typical debt burdens. The program holds National League for Nursing Center of Excellence recognition and offers a BSN Honors Program. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #2 | Saint Michael College of Allied Health | Washington, DC | ~$39,000/yr (est.) | Working adults needing evening nursing classes | |
Saint Michael College of Allied Health offers a campus-based Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing designed for students balancing work or family, with day and evening tracks. The 24-month program combines 43 nursing credits with general education and emphasizes culturally aware care for DC and Northern Virginia communities. The school's overall graduation rate is 83%, and graduates report strong job placement in nursing roles. ACEN accreditation and a 90% job placement rate are highlights, though earnings data are not yet available for this program. ACEN accredited
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| #3 | George Washington University | Washington, DC | ~$37,000/yr (est.) | Career changers needing accelerated BSN options | |
George Washington University offers multiple BSN pathways, including a traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an accelerated option for career changers, a Veterans BSN, and an online RN-BSN for working nurses. Each track follows a focused four-semester plan that emphasizes leadership and evidence-based practice, with strong clinical preparation in DC-area settings. The school's overall graduation rate is 84%, and it posts a solid return on investment with median earnings comfortably above typical debt levels. CCNE accredited
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| #4 | The Catholic University of America | Washington, DC | ~$30,000/yr (est.) | ||
The Catholic University of America's Conway School of Nursing offers a four-year BSN that combines rigorous academics with a holistic, person-centered approach. Students complete clinical rotations at more than 20 partner hospitals and clinics in the DC area and can pursue a Spanish for Health Care Certificate or study abroad in five countries. The school's overall graduation rate is 79%, and the program reports a 96.4% first-time NCLEX pass rate, with a moderate earnings-to-debt return. CCNE accredited
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| #5 | Howard University | Washington, DC | $50,000 – $55,000/yr (est.) | ||
Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, DC, offers a BSN with three tracks: a basic pre-licensure track, an LPN to BSN pathway, and an RN to BSN completion option. The curriculum emphasizes cultural competence, health equity, and evidence-based care, with clinical rotations across DC's diverse healthcare facilities. The school's overall graduation rate is 70%, and it produces strong median earnings relative to debt, though admission requires a TEAS exam and Casper assessment. CCNE accredited
CCNE accredited
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| #6 | Trinity Washington University | Washington, DC | $9,000/yr (est. net price) | ||
Trinity Washington University, a women's college and Hispanic-serving institution in DC, offers a CCNE-accredited BSN that emphasizes social justice and holistic care for vulnerable populations. Students complete clinical rotations at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Children's National, and can study full-time or part-time. The school's overall graduation rate is 49%, and its affordability contributes to a favorable earnings-to-debt ratio for graduates. CCNE accredited
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| #7 | University of the District of Columbia | Washington, DC | ~$11,000/yr (est.) | ||
The University of the District of Columbia, a public historically Black university, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing through UDC Community College. The four-semester program combines high-fidelity simulation and virtual reality with small classes, and leads to a seamless transition to UDC's RN-BSN program. The school's overall graduation rate is 33%, though its low tuition, compared with DC peers, keeps graduate debt moderate and offers a positive return on investment. ACEN accredited
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Nursing school costs are under the microscope as students demand clearer return on their investment. This ranking cuts through the noise by measuring what matters most: affordability, completion, and career payoff.
We weigh five factors that paint a practical picture of value. Net price is the average amount full-time undergraduates pay after federal, state, and institutional grants, not the sticker price. Graduation rate reflects the share of students who finish a bachelor’s degree within six years, captured at the institution level, not for nursing alone. Median graduate earnings, sourced from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, show actual early-career pay of students who received federal aid. Median debt at graduation includes only federal loans. Finally, the return-on-investment ratio compares typical earnings to typical debt, giving a quick sense of financial balance.
First-time NCLEX pass rates are a critical nursing-specific outcome, but they do not appear in the scoring formula. We separate them so you can assess both program quality and institutional value independently. A dedicated NCLEX pass rate and graduate outcomes table appears later on this page.
For the complete methodology, including exact weights and data sources, visit our full ranking methodology page.
The cost of earning a BSN in Washington, DC, varies significantly, with net prices after financial aid ranging from $9,302 at Trinity Washington University to $50,539 at Howard University. These net price figures are institution-wide averages, so your individual aid package may differ. Median graduate debt also ranges widely, from $15,500 (Georgetown) to $28,250 (Trinity).
| School | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Net Price (After Aid) | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trinity Washington University | $26,610 | $26,610 | $9,302 | $28,250 |
| The Catholic University of America | $58,378 | $58,378 | $29,561 | $26,000 |
| George Washington University | $67,710 | $67,710 | $36,586 | $20,449 |
| Georgetown University | $68,089 | $68,089 | $40,815 | $15,500 |
| Howard University | $35,810 | $35,810 | $50,539 | $24,500 |
Program-level earnings for DC nursing graduates are not yet published. However, Bureau of Labor Statistics data for the Washington metro area shows that registered nurses here earn well above the national median, reflecting the region's high demand and cost of living.
NCLEX-RN pass rates are a critical indicator: they measure how well a program prepares students for the licensure exam required to practice as a registered nurse. In 2025, the national first-time pass rate was 86.7%, while the overall pass rate (including repeat test-takers) was 69.1%. Among District of Columbia BSN programs, only the Catholic University of America publicly reports a first-time pass rate (94%), which exceeds the national benchmark. Most other schools do not disclose program-specific NCLEX outcomes, so prospective students should ask admissions officers directly. The table below combines what NCLEX data is available with institutional outcomes such as 10-year median earnings and median graduate debt. Note that these earnings and debt figures reflect the entire institution, not exclusively nursing graduates, and that program-level 1-year earnings and poverty-rate data are not yet available.
| School | NCLEX First-Time Pass Rate | 10-Year Median Earnings | Median Graduate Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University | Not reported | $103,494 | $15,500 |
| George Washington University | Not reported | $90,873 | $20,449 |
| Howard University | Not reported | $63,066 | $24,500 |
| The Catholic University of America | 94% | $73,250 | $26,000 |
| Trinity Washington University | Not reported | $53,804 | $28,250 |
| University of the District of Columbia | Not reported | $44,236 | $24,872 |
Nursing education in the District of Columbia is seeing a quiet but steady shift toward flexible degree tracks that accommodate second-career students and working nurses, not just recent high school graduates. Understanding how each BSN path is structured helps you pick the one that lines up with your past education, current life obligations, and professional timeline.
While all three lead to the same Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the entry point, pace, and total time commitment differ sharply.
Most nursing schools in Washington, DC, including Georgetown University, George Washington University, Howard University, Catholic University of America, Trinity Washington University, and the University of the District of Columbia, offer a traditional four-year BSN. These programs are designed for incoming freshmen and transfer students who need the full sequence of general education and nursing prerequisites. Clinical rotations begin in the junior year, and graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Only a handful of DC institutions have published accelerated BSN tracks. Georgetown University’s ABSN is a 15-month program open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree outside nursing; prerequisite GPA information is not publicly listed. George Washington University offers an accelerated path requiring 60 credits of nursing coursework and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; the curriculum includes 540 clinical hours. Both are full-time, intensive programs suited to career changers who can commit to an accelerated schedule.
Georgetown and George Washington both operate RN-to-BSN pathways. These programs recognize the existing license and clinical experience of registered nurses, allowing them to complete upper-division nursing courses and earn a bachelor’s degree without repeating foundational training. While other DC schools may offer similar options, program details beyond Georgetown and GWU are not always publicly available; RNs should inquire directly with admission offices.
If you are coming straight from high school or lack any college degree, the traditional four-year BSN aligns with standard academic calendars and gives time to build clinical competence. Holders of a previous bachelor’s degree who want a rapid entry into nursing can target the ABSN at Georgetown or GWU, keeping in mind the rigorous, full-time pace. Current RNs who want career advancement or a higher salary step should consider an RN-to-BSN, often completed while working. Because tuition and fees vary widely by format and school, check the net price comparison in the table above as you weigh your options.
Gaining admission to a nursing program in DC requires more than a strong application; it demands careful alignment with each school’s distinct prerequisites and competitive landscape.
A school’s overall admission rate offers a starting point, but nursing programs often enforce stricter internal standards. For example, Georgetown University accepts only 12.9% of applicants university-wide, but its accelerated BSN requires a prior bachelor’s degree and core science grades of B or better.4 Howard University admits 41.3% of all applicants, yet its traditional BSN expects a 3.0 minimum GPA, a 3.0 science GPA, and a TEAS VI score.1 George Washington University’s 47.1% overall admission rate sits alongside a BSN that demands a 3.0 GPA and a separate prerequisite GPA of 3.0, without requiring an entrance exam.3 At the other end, Trinity Washington University admits nearly all applicants (99.5% overall), but nursing students must maintain a 2.75 science GPA and achieve a “Proficient” level on the TEAS.2 These discrepancies remind applicants that institutional selectivity does not automatically mirror nursing program competitiveness.
Nearly all DC nursing programs require a sequence of science courses with minimum grades. Howard’s BSN mandates College Algebra, General Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, and two semesters of Anatomy & Physiology.1 George Washington’s accelerated track adds Ethics, Nutrition, and Statistics, with Chemistry with lab starting in Spring 2027.3 Georgetown’s program broadens the list to include Growth & Development, Psychology, and Sociology or Anthropology alongside the typical lab sciences.4 Howard and Trinity use the TEAS VI for entry evaluation[[CITE:1][CITE:2]], while George Washington and Georgetown skip the exam entirely[[CITE:3][CITE:4]], weighing academic history and the interview process instead.
Multiple DC programs accommodate students with prior college experience. Howard University’s BSN explicitly welcomes transfer applicants1, while the accelerated BSN tracks at George Washington and Georgetown are designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field.[[CITE:3][CITE:4]] These second-degree pathways allow career changers to complete nursing training in under two years, provided they meet prerequisite GPA and course requirements. Trinity’s BSN, housed within a women’s college, also considers transfer students on a case-by-case basis.2
Top-tier clinical rotations distinguish DC nursing education. Students at nearly every program gain experience at nationally ranked institutions: MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Children’s National Hospital, Howard University Hospital, George Washington University Hospital, and the DC VA Medical Center. Access to these sites is a significant draw for competitive applicants, offering hands-on training in high-acuity and specialized settings that few other metropolitan areas can match.
To practice as a registered nurse in Washington, DC, you must earn a BSN or equivalent, apply through the DC Board of Nursing, pass the NCLEX-RN, and submit your license application. DC is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, so your license is valid only here. The process includes a background check and fingerprinting, with typical processing times of 30 days.
Navigating nursing education in the District of Columbia raises common questions about costs, licensure, and program formats. Below are clear answers to help you compare your options and plan your next steps in the capital’s healthcare landscape.
