Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Washington State University

Washington State University's nursing program delivers solid national performance but falls short of the state's competitive landscape. While graduates earn $83,894 in their first year—ranking in the 81st percentile nationally—this places them in just the 40th percentile among Washington nursing programs, where the median is $85,196. With 19 nursing programs across the state, WSU finds itself in the middle of the pack despite its strong national standing.

The financial picture is reassuring, with graduates carrying just $21,500 in debt compared to the national median of $27,000. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26, meaning students can reasonably expect to pay off their loans. However, earnings actually decline to $76,963 by year four, which is unusual for nursing and suggests graduates may be starting in higher-paying acute care roles before transitioning to different nursing specialties.

For families considering WSU's nursing program, the value proposition is straightforward: you'll get solid preparation at a reasonable cost, but you're paying a premium compared to community colleges like Olympic College or Bellevue College that produce higher-earning graduates. If your child is set on the four-year university experience at WSU, the program won't break the bank and provides good national-level outcomes, just not the premium returns available elsewhere in Washington.