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

Western Washington University's nursing graduates earn well above national averages but trail most Washington state programs—a meaningful distinction in a state where nursing salaries run particularly high. While first-year earnings of $80,808 exceed the national median by $6,000, they fall short of the state median by $4,400. Among Washington's 19 nursing programs, this ranks in the 40th percentile, below even regional competitors like Bellevue College ($97,067) and Olympic College ($88,069). For context, Washington nurses generally command premium salaries, making this middle-of-the-pack state performance worth noting if your child plans to work locally.

The financial fundamentals work, though. With just $20,146 in median debt—well below both state and national averages—the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 means graduates can reasonably pay off loans within months of starting work. Earnings do grow to $87,295 by year four, though that 8% increase is modest compared to many nursing programs where early career growth accelerates faster.

This is a solid, safe choice that delivers on nursing's core promise: immediate, well-paying employment with manageable debt. However, if your child is committed to staying in Washington, particularly the Puget Sound region, several less selective schools actually produce stronger earning outcomes. The accessible admissions (91% acceptance rate) offer good value for students who might not get into UW-Seattle, but the earnings gap suggests Western's program doesn't command the same market premium as its competitors.