2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Oregon

Overview of Nursing Schools in Oregon

About 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

Nursing Programs Offered by Oregon Nursing Schools

• Registered Nursing: 20
• Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner: 1
• CNL: 1
• Family Nurse Practitioner: 1

Oregon Nursing Schools with the Most Degree Types

• University of Portland: 3
• Oregon Health and Science University – Accelerated Portland: 2
• Linn-Benton Community College: 1
• Clatsop Community College: 1
• Linfield College-School of Nursing: 1
• Umpqua Community College: 1
• George Fox University: 1
• Portland Community College: 1
• Rogue Community College: 1
• Treasure Valley Community College: 1

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. 

Chemeketa Community College

99.10% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR - 97305
• 
  (503) 399-5000

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 99.10%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

The nursing program at Chemeketa Community College has a long and strong tradition of preparing nurses to be life-long learners and to practice safely, accurately, and compassionately in all kinds of healthcare settings. The program has been deemed as one of the state’s best by multiple sources. The nursing faculty

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 187
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,850
• Book and Supplies: $975
• Percent Received Aid: 90%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,169
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Rogue Community College

99.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  3345 Redwood Hwy, Grants Pass, OR - 97527-9291
• 
  (541) 956-7501

Nurse Admin: Linda Wagner,

Title: Nursing Instructor/Department Head

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 99.00%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

The nursing program at Rogue Community College is one of the best in the state and is concurrent with the OCNE curriculum. Students here focus on health promotion across the life span including learning about self-health as well as client health practices. Nursing students at Rogue Community College learn to

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 71
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,184
• Book and Supplies: $1,365
• Percent Received Aid: 91%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,817
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 11%

Clatsop Community College

97.40% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1651 Lexington Avenue, Astoria, OR - 97103
• 
  (503) 325-0910

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.40%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Located in Astoria, Oregon, Clatsop Community College’s nursing program is one of the best not only in the state but also in the entire country. The competitive nursing curriculum here allows students to bring out the best in themselves right from the application process. Nursing students at Clatsop Community College

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 27
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,230
• Book and Supplies: $1,590
• Percent Received Aid: 90%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $6,833
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 22%

Lane Community College

96.60% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  4000 E 30th Ave, Eugene, OR - 97405-0640
• 
  (541) 463-3000

Nurse Admin: Maggie McHugh,

Title: Associate Dean, Director of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.60%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Lane community college is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. It is one of the top colleges not only within the state but nationwide with its three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 95%. LCC has set an affordable price for tuition fees and other costs with the

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 193
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,333
• Book and Supplies: $1,490
• Percent Received Aid: 91%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,241
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 21%

Portland Community College

96.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  12000 SW 49th Avenue, Portland, OR - 97219-7132
• 
  (971) 722-6111

Nurse Admin: Heather Reynolds,

Title: Director of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 96.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Portland Community College is a member of the Oregon Consortium for nursing education (OCNE) with an NCLEX-RN passing rate of almost 95% in each of the three most recent years. PCC is currently ranked one of the top 10 nursing colleges in Oregon. The college provides knowledge and skills designed

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 381
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,810
• Book and Supplies: $1,731
• Percent Received Aid: 76%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,267
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 20%

Clackamas Community College

94.50% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  19600 Molalla Ave, Oregon City, OR - 97045-8980
• 
  (503) 594-6000

Nurse Admin: Sarah Morris,

Title: Nursing Sabbatical

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.50%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Located in Eugene, Oregon, Clackamas Community College is a public institution with a three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 95%. CCC is one of the top five nursing colleges in the state and it also holds a high rank in the national ranking, making it a prime destination

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 121
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,625
• Book and Supplies: $1,800
• Percent Received Aid: 82%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,092
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 22%

Oregon Health and Science University - Accelerated Portland

School of Nursing

93.62% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR - 97239-3098
• 
  (503) 494-7800

Nurse Admin: Susan Bakewell Sachs, PhD, RN, CRNP, PNP, FAAN

Title: Dean

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.62%
• Programs: Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate

Oregon Health and Science University School of Nursing is a public institution located in Portland, Oregon that is one of the finest nursing institutions in the state in terms of NCLEX pass rates and program completion rates. Nursing programs at OHSU are rooted in evidence-based learning and interprofessional education and

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 2112
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: N/A
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: N/A
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,948,847
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: N/A

Umpqua Community College

93.20% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  1140 Umpqua College Rd., Roseburg, OR - 97470-0226
• 
  (541) 440-4600

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.20%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Located in Roseburg, Oregon, Umpqua Community college is a public institution dedicated to making nursing an affordable and accessible profession for all students. Their nursing program ranks among the best in the state as well as the country. Nursing in UCC covers clinical judgment and critical thinking, evidence-based practice, relationship-centered

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 59
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,282
• Book and Supplies: $1,500
• Percent Received Aid: 90%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,733
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 28%

University of Portland

School of Nursing

92.97% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  5000 N Willamette Blvd, Portland, OR - 97203-5798
• 
  (503) 943-8000

Nurse Admin: Casey R. Shillam, PhD, RN

Title: Dean And Professor

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.97%
• Programs: CNL, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP

University of Portland is located in Portland, Oregon.  NursingSchoolAlmanac.com has rated University of Portland's nursing program as #4 in the West and #46 nationally.  They offer a BSN program; at this time, they do not offer an RN to BSN option.

University Information

• Total Faculty: 287
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $750
• Book and Supplies: N/A
• Percent Received Aid: 99%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $27,663
• Percent Admitted: 77%
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 8%
• Graduation Rate: 84%

Linn-Benton Community College

92.90% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  6500 Pacific Blvd SW, Albany, OR - 97321
• 
  (541) 917-4999

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.90%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Located in Albany, Oregon, Linn-Benton Community College is a public institution that has a three-year average NCLEX-RN passing rate of more than 90%. The LBCC Nursing Program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing by teaching current evidence-based concepts and competencies in nursing theory and practice, developing clinical and

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 124
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,675
• Book and Supplies: $927
• Percent Received Aid: 82%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,446
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 21%

Central Oregon Community College

92.40% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  2600 NW College Way, Bend, OR - 97703
• 
  (541) 383-7500

Nurse Admin: Jane Morrow,

Title: Professor of Nursing, Chair of Nursing

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.40%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Central Oregon Community College's nursing school is a public college in Bend, Oregon which trains students, both national and international, to be able to take state and national licensure exams. It ranks among one of the top nursing institutions in the state. The graduates of Central Oregon Community college have

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 125
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,527
• Book and Supplies: $12,051
• Percent Received Aid: 81%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,461
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 24%

Treasure Valley Community College

92.00% 3-Year
Pass Rate

• 
  650 College Blvd, Ontario, OR - 97914
• 
  (541) 881-8822

• NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 92.00%
• Programs: Registered Nursing
• Award Levels: Associate

Treasure Valley Community College is a public college in Ontario, Oregon. The college admits nursing students based on a point system; where students with prior healthcare experience as LPNs or paramedics, can get higher points based on the hours they’ve practiced. The highly-qualified faculty members provide the students with the

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University Information

• Total Faculty: 41
• In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,895
• Book and Supplies: $1,359
• Percent Received Aid: 92%
• Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,457
• Percent Admitted: N/A
• Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
• Graduation Rate: 35%

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:

• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

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.