Best RN Programs in Oregon for 2024

Best RN Programs in Oregon for 2024 - Rankings for ADN, BSN

Introduction to Nursing Schools in Oregon
There are endless reasons for registered nurses to pursue higher education in the form of a bachelor’s degree. Nurses who do this will find college programs designed to meet their needs. Programs expose nurses to curriculum while preparing them for roles that are not currently covered by their certification. Registered nurses understand the important of staying updated and fresh in nursing knowledge and the effect it has on the care they provide. Nurses are encouraged to search multiple schools to ensure they find a program that best fits their needs. Schools offer online and distance education programs that allow nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree without stepping foot in a classroom.

In our Oregon RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Oregon RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Oregon, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
Oregon RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Compare RN Programs
ADN
BSN

Number of Nursing Programs
15
4

Average NCLEX Passing Rate
92.24%
89.30%

NCLEX Passing Rate Range
85.52% to 99.05%
83.79% to 92.47%

Average Net Price
$8,126.33
$27,338.50

Average Net Price Range
$3,553.00 to $10,464.00
$24,404.00 to $30,273.00

Average Student Loan
$8,948.80
$23,916.00

Average Student Loan Range
$6,334.00 to $12,113.00
$20,832.00 to $27,000.00

See Additional Detail
ADN Rankings for Oregon State
BSN Rankings for Oregon State

Best Ranked RN Programs in Oregon
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Oregon and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 15 ADN degree programs and 4 BSN degree programs in Oregon. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Oregon to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

#1

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

School of Nursing

97.22% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 2201 Silver Lake Rd, Bartlesville, OK - 74006-6299
  • (918) 333-6151
Nurse Admin: Jessica L. Johnson, DNR RN
Title: Dean
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.22%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate, Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 32
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $900
  • Book and Supplies: N/A
  • Percent Received Aid: 100%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $12,833
  • Percent Admitted: 83%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 9%
  • Graduation Rate: 36%

Oklahoma Wesleyan University is located in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.  OWU is a Christian university where students interject Christian education into their studies. They offer a traditional BSN program on-campus, as well as an RN to BSN program that can be completed on-campus or online.

#2

Oklahoma City Community College

95.20% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 7777 S May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK - 73159-9987
  • (405) 682-1611
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.20%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Associate

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 133
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,059
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 75%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $2,633
  • Percent Admitted: N/A
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
  • Graduation Rate: 15%

One of the best in the state, Oklahoma City Community College’s nursing program has been producing exceptionally talented nursing graduates for a long time. The college ranks among the nation’s and state’s best in terms of NCLEX pass rate, degree completion rate, and graduate employment rate.

The rigorous nursing course here is exceptionally hard to get into and helps shape nursing students into competent healthcare providers and leaders in the rapidly changing healthcare environment. The education here is hands-on as the faculty believes that nursing as a profession demands students to be as much practically competent as they are theoretically advanced. One of the main facilities that provide hands-on education are high-tech simulation labs and nursing laboratories. The labs allow students to get introduced to and practice the nursing skills, concepts, and technologies so that they are ready to use that knowledge in their clinical rotations. The several low-to-high-fidelity simulators allow them to replicate clinical situations where they can practice their skills in a safe and supportive learning environment. As a result of such simulations and clinical practices, the graduates are highly sought-after by employers and almost 100% of them find a job within 6 months of graduation.

Undergraduate Programs: Oklahoma City Community College offers a traditional Associate in Applied Science program that allows students to take their NCLEX-RN examinations and begin a career in healthcare. There is also a bachelor's to ADN accelerated nurse pathway for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a different field but want to start their career in nursing.

The college also offers a Career Ladder Pathway for LPNs and Paramedics that allow them to earn their RN status. The Career Ladder Pathway recognizes the previous educational experiences of LPMs and paramedics and allows the credits earned in this program to be transferred towards a bachelor’s degree at a four-year college or university.

#3

Northwestern Okla. State University-Alva

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

92.59% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 709 Oklahoma Blvd, Alva, OK - 73717-2799
  • (580) 327-1700
Nurse Admin: Leslie Collins, DNP, MS, RN
Title: Chair of the Charles Morton Share Trust Division of Nursing
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.59%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 83
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,280
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 97%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,953
  • Percent Admitted: 70%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 46%
  • Graduation Rate: 26%

#4

University of Central Oklahoma - Edmond

Department of Nursing

90.76% 3-Year
Pass Rate
  • 100 N University Dr, Edmond, OK - 73034
  • (405) 974-2000
Nurse Admin: Leann Laubach, PhD, MSN, RN
Title: Chairperson
  • NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 90.76%
  • Programs: Registered Nursing
  • Award Levels: Bachelor, LPN to BSN, MSN, RN to BSN

University Information

  • Total Faculty: 557
  • In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $8,030
  • Book and Supplies: $1,600
  • Percent Received Aid: 89%
  • Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,727
  • Percent Admitted: 80%
  • Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 48%
  • Graduation Rate: 35%

The University of Central Oklahoma department of nursing has been producing competent, highly skilled, and compassionate nurses since 1972. Graduates of the program are some of the most highly sought after nurses in the state and are known as the best in both the state and the nation, which is one of the reasons why this nursing program ranks as one of the state’s best.

Students at University of Central Oklahoma get the chance to participate in clinical rotations in multiple high-end healthcare facilities in the state where they are instructed by highly-qualified health professionals. Students are also provided access to the Broncho Education and Learning Lab (BELL) where they learn via peer tutoring, supplemental instruction, study skills development, time-management tools, and other facilities. Similarly, the University of Central Oklahoma also features a Student Transformative Learning Record (SLTR) which is like a second transcript that helps students track their growth in core areas that employers and graduate schools actively seek.  There are five tenets of the SLTR including research, creative and scholarly activities, health and wellness, leadership, and service learning and civic engagement, which are also skills that are considered valuable in a nursing career.

Undergraduate Programs: The four-year BSN degree prepares students for a plethora of nursing careers including clinical, bedside nursing, as well as nursing management and research. Students can also opt for a five-year plan if they are not able to complete the degree via a full-time four year commitment.

Additionally, for students who have a bachelor’s degree in a different field and want to obtain their RN license, the university offers a fast-track BSN program that can be completed in 16 months via hybrid courses. Similarly, the RN to BSN degree is an online program that is available for RNs who want to complete their BSN degree.

Graduate Programs: Furthermore, there is a MSN degree that allows students to choose from either a nursing education track or a specialty track to meet individual goals in leadership, administration, and clinical competence


Grade
University
Oregon Rank
Degree
88.30 Columbia Gorge Community College 12 ADN
87.38 Southwestern Oregon Community College 13 ADN
87.04 Mt Hood Community College 14 ADN
86.04 Blue Mountain Community College 15 ADN
85.52 Oregon Coast Community College 16 ADN
86.53 Linfield University 4 BSN
83.79 University of Portland 5 BSN

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Oregon

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Oregon

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Oregon offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Online NP Programs Liked by Oregon Nurses

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Oregon  RN Licensing Requirements

Oregon State Board of Nursing
17938 SW Upper Boones Ferry Road
Portland, OR 97224-7012
(971) 673-0685

Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs and LPNs: Complete the one-time Pain Management Continuing Education requirement

RN Licensure by Exams

After a candidate has completed the degree requirements, he/she will have the dean or director to sign the appropriate form to verify identity. A Passport-type photograph will be required. Official transcripts will need to be sent to the Board. The candidate must also complete the verification form that is found in the application along with the correct fingerprint card to a fingerprinting facility. That candidate will pay the Oregon State Board of Nurses $52 to process a background check and $160 for the application fee. From here, the candidate will register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX exam and pay the $200 fee. When, and only when, the candidate receives authorization to test (ATT) he/she can schedule the test at the most convenient center. Candidates who do not pass the NCLEX on the first attempt will have to apply to retake and pay an additional $25 fee to the Oregon State Board.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Candidates who obtained licensure in one of the other fifty states can apply for licensure in Oregon by endorsement. This application is online. Candidates must submit license verification from the first state of licensure as well as the most recent one. Registered nurses applying by endorsement will be responsible for a $195 fee as well as $52 for fingerprint processing. Nurses who are not currently practicing will be required to complete a reentry course.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

Nurses who completed a program outside of the U.S. jurisdiction will need to obtain a CGFNS certificate or VisaScreen. If the nursing program was not in English, candidates will be required to pass an English proficiency exam. Fees for internationally educated nurses vary.

RN Salaries in Oregon

There are many nursing positions that are only available to nurses who have obtained a bachelors degree. Becoming a hospice or home health care nurse are both positions that require higher education. There is a huge demand for nurses in Oregon and the need is expected to increase by 109% by the year 2020. Graduates are likely to choose management and administrative options that allow them to work in a hospital setting with a different role. Graduates may also become charge nurses or hospital administrators.

Oregon Registered Nursing Salaries

The Portland metropolitan area has the highest amount of registered nurses along with the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.

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