Best Nursing Schools in Oregon for 2023

Nursing Degrees & Schools / Best Schools Oregon

Oregon is known for its lush green forests and rocky beaches. This is a popular destination for those seeking cooler temperatures and unique landscapes, as well as  impressive nursing schools and medical centers. Those interested in continuing their education for professional development find the Pacific Northwest to be a great choice.

While it can be overwhelming to find the right path for you, there are varying levels of nursing programs meant to help you succeed, such as online courses, bridge programs, and accelerated learning. Oregon especially has unique opportunities and competitive salary ranges for those interested in becoming nurses.

Making the right choice can be a stressful process, which is why Incredible Health has tried to streamline it for you with this list below. In this post, we’ll cover the top nursing schools in Oregon and which one may be the right fit for you. 

Oregon’s top nursing programs:

1. Oregon Health and Science University
2. Linfield University 
3. University of Portland 
4. George Fox University 

1. Oregon Health and Science University – Score 87.5

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.30%

In-state tuition: $13,848

Out-of-State tuition: $18,480

Founded originally in 1887, the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) is Oregon’s only public academic health center. This nursing school has over 80 programs, rotations in rural communities, and cutting-edge simulation labs. 59% of OHSU graduates held postdoctoral positions 1 year after graduation, while 36% of graduates become tenure track faculty within 10 years. The overall graduation rate is 93%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• MSN
• DNP 
• ABSN

2. Linfield University – Score 67.5

NCLEX Pass Rate: 86.52%

Annual tuition: $22,670

Linfield University was initially founded in 1858 as the Baptist College at McMinnville, before changing names in later years. This college is currently an independent nonprofit university with a variety of nursing programs, clubs and organizations, and an experiential learning center. 

They offer online degrees in their School of Nursing, which includes RN to BSN and MSN. The graduation rate is 97%. 

Their CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• RN to BSN
• MSN

3. University of Portland – Score 52.5

NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.59%

Annual tuition: $51,352

Though it began as Columbia University in 1901, the University of Portland has changed over the years to become a thriving community on a grand bluff. Its School of Nursing has an Integrative Health Coaching Program encompasses integrative, spiritual, mental, physical, and social health. This program is an Approved Health and Wellness Coach Training & Education Program by the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). 

They also have the UP Student Nurses Association (UPSNA) which is a chapter of the Oregon Student Nurses Association. Their graduation rate is 82%. 

The CCNE accredited programs for nursing students are:

• BSN 
• DNP 

4. George Fox University – Score 42.5

NCLEX Pass Rate: 87.50%

Annual tuition: $38,860

What began as the Pacific College in 1891 has grown into the oldest Christian college in the state of Oregon. George Fox University is also the largest private university in the state, and it offers classes on their campuses of Newberg, Portland, Salem, and Redmond. 

Their nursing program launched in 2006 and has been accredited since 2008. This college also has  a Nursing Club and monthly nursing events and activities. The graduation rate is 74%. 

Their CCNE accredited program for nursing students is the BSN.

How to choose the right nursing program

With nursing, you have the option of different programs and paths to take. It’s important to take into consideration which degree you want, where you’d like to study, tuition costs, and what these programs can offer you.

Location

As the ninth largest state in the country, finding the right school in Oregon is imperative. With its rocky coastlines, beautiful forests, and easygoing culture, it’s a great place for continued learning. Make sure you factor in the commute time and distance to any clinicals or labs. Some may offer online courses and programs, which is helpful in cutting down time spent on campus.

Tuition

As a college student, saving money where you can is crucial! There are many scholarships and grants you may be eligible for, but you should also weigh your options with student loans through FAFSA. Consider the tuition costs, especially if you’re an out-of-state student. You can even look into loan repayment or loan forgiveness programs upon graduation, since many facilities offer these benefits for new nurses.

NCLEX pass rate

To become a registered nurse, you have to take and pass the NCLEX exam. Review a school’s pass rate before applying, since this is data that will help you plan for your own exam. This demonstrates a school’s credibility, but it can also  show what level of support they may offer students for exam preparation and their focus on providing the right material in their courses and programs.

Programs offered

Part of choosing the best nursing school for you is ensuring they have the right programs for your degree. Take a look at their websites to see what their requirements are and if they accept any of the previous courses you may have taken from other schools or programs. Finding the school that matches your needs will help to set you up for success in your advanced education.

Graduation rate 

Selecting a school with high graduation rates will be a helpful factor in making your decision. These statistics are based on the percentage of undergraduates who complete their program between 4-6 years of study. This is a great way to measure a school’s track record and its dedication to providing quality courses and programs for its students.

Next steps

Though it can feel a bit overwhelming to narrow down your choices, finding the right nursing school for you just requires some key factors. Take into consideration the things that are most important to you, the financial costs, and job prospects within the state. For Oregon, the schools listed above are a great place to start.

After graduation, there are other significant aspects to think about regarding your career. Incredible Health has many resources meant to help grads kickstart their nursing careers, including state-specific requirements.

These next steps include having the right licensing and certifications for Oregon, which is essential if you’re coming from another state. 

Where should you go after graduation to continue your education credits? Check out Oregon’s free CEU courses that will provide you with the right certifications you need.

Prospective students can also turn to other nurses and professionals who can offer advice, help, and answer questions  about nursing in Oregon.

Once you start looking for a job, come to us here at Incredible Health. . We can connect you with employers just waiting to hire you!

Methodology

In order to determine the best nursing schools in a state, Incredible Health compared the top schools among five categories: graduation rate, tuition, NCLEX pass rate, accreditation, and the number of nursing programs offered.

Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale with 100 representing the highest total for that category. Then we compiled the individual scores to get an overall score.

We used data from: 

• University webpages
• Oregon Board of Nursing
• U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
• U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings 

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