Skagit Valley College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
Northwest Washington community college with ACEN-accredited Associate Degree Nursing on the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses, a Simulation Center, and clinical placements across multiple counties. This guide uses SVC’s published achievement data, official 2025–2026 tuition, and Washington State Board of Nursing NCLEX school reports.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Skagit Valley College anchors nursing education in Skagit County with a named Simulation Center, quarter-based RN cohorts on Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island, and partnerships with regional hospitals from Skagit Valley Hospital to Island Hospital—strong options if you want a public-college ADN near the I-5 corridor and San Juan access points.
Overview & Why Students Choose Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, Washington is the hub for Skagit Valley College’s Health Sciences nursing program, with additional full-time RN cohorts on the Whidbey Island campus. SVC uses a points-based application (GPA on prerequisites, active NAC license, and other published criteria) rather than NursingCAS, and publishes transparent student achievement tables for NCLEX and completion.
Clinical education extends into Whatcom, Snohomish, and Island counties; students need reliable transportation. After the ADN, many graduates pursue RN-to-BSN completion at institutions listed on the Washington Board of Nursing approved-programs resources—not through an SVC RN-BSN degree in the materials reviewed here.
The Washington State Board of Nursing NCLEX school reports (published February 2026) list Skagit Valley College with 61 of 64 first-time NCLEX-RN passes in calendar year 2025 (95.31%) and 60 of 62 (96.77%) in 2024. Separately, SVC student achievement data showed 96.77% first-time for Year 2024—confirm newer academic-year rows on the SVC site. For the latest WABON file, use program pass rates on nursing.wa.gov.
Reasons students choose Skagit Valley College
North Sound clinical geography
Rotations reach across Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, and Island counties, exposing students to community hospitals, long-term care, and specialty practices noted on SVC’s partnership list.
Published NCLEX & completion data
SVC’s About Nursing page publishes annual achievement tables; pairing those disclosures with WABON PDFs supports accountable comparisons between cohort years.
Simulation Center
The Skagit Valley College Simulation Center describes high-fidelity scenarios aligned with the nursing mission—useful if you want deliberate practice before entering high-acuity clinical units.
Multiple campus cohorts
Full-time RN programs run on Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island, each with distinct application calendars published on the nursing landing page.
ACEN-accredited ADN
SVC states ACEN accreditation alongside Washington State Board of Nursing approval—verify the current accreditation letter with ACEN and the program.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects Skagit Valley College’s nursing program index, Registered Nursing DTA/MRP, Registered Nursing AAS, Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP, and Nursing Assistant Certificate pages. SVC describes the AAS track for LPN license holders or certain transfer students; it does not award a practical-nursing (LPN) exit credential as a standalone pathway in the materials summarized here.
Pre-licensure & prerequisite pathways
Registered Nursing (Associate in Arts DTA/MRP)
Selective, cohort-based ADN after prerequisites. Combines two years of nursing core (sample: 12 credits per quarter in the FAQ sample plan) with general education. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN. Mount Vernon and Whidbey cohorts use separate deadlines on the nursing site.
Registered Nursing (AAS)
SVC markets this track for LPNs or transfers from other RN programs seeking a faster route to associate-level RN completion; confirm prerequisite and advanced-standing rules on the AAS degree page.
Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
Academic plan that finishes nursing prerequisites and supports transfer alignment; it does not confer RN eligibility until you complete an ADN or BSN nursing major elsewhere or enter SVC’s RN core.
Nursing Assistant Certificate (NAC)
Training that meets the workforce role of nursing assistant; SVC RN FAQs require an active NAC license at the time of nursing application.
Post-licensure at SVC
SVC’s nursing materials reviewed for this guide focus on pre-licensure ADN preparation and the nursing assistant certificate. Licensed RNs seeking a BSN should review Washington’s list of approved BSN programs (linked from SVC FAQs) rather than expecting an on-campus RN-to-BSN at this college.
Cohort capacity, campus assignment, and admission scoring change. Always download the current ADN Admissions Application and points sheet from the nursing admission resources table and confirm details with the department before applying.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the WABON NCLEX school reports (February 2026 publication), Skagit Valley College’s ADN row shows 95.31% first-time for 2025 (61/64) and 96.77% for 2024 (60/62). SVC’s student achievement table lists 96.77% first-time NCLEX-RN for Year 2024 against the program’s ≥80% benchmark—pair school tables with WABON PDF columns when comparing cohort years. (The WABON PDF may list other Skagit-related rows with partial-year data.) Washington’s regulatory materials discuss an 80% first-time pass expectation—confirm how WABON applies the standard in current rules.
For comparisons across Washington ADN programs, use the same WABON table for each school rather than unofficial national averages. Always confirm the latest PDF publication date and cohort labeling.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2025, WABON) | 95.31% (61/64) — Skagit Valley College ADN row; February 2026 NCLEX school reports PDF. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024, WABON) | 96.77% (60/62) — same ADN row. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024, SVC table) | 96.77% — Skagit Valley College student achievement data, Year 2024. |
| Source | SVC About Nursing; WABON NCLEX school reports (Feb 2026); WABON program pass rates. Confirm current cohorts with the Board and SVC. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting cycle. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates and test-taker counts in the WABON PDF and with the nursing program.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international applicants and internationally educated nurses depend on Skagit Valley College admissions policies, visa status, and Washington Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission rules. Use this as a checklist—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum scores and accepted exams for degree admission—confirm with Skagit Valley College International Education.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluation requirements for prerequisites and transfer credit.
- Washington Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, NCLEX eligibility, and any CGFNS-related steps, use nursing.wa.gov.
- Out-of-state licensure: SVC states it has not determined whether the nursing curriculum meets requirements outside Washington—verify with other states if you plan to license elsewhere.
- Immigration & visa: Whether F-1 students can access required clinical placements and program pacing; clinical sites may impose additional checks.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Skagit Valley College’s international office, the nursing program, and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Skagit Valley College’s ADN cohorts are selective: completing prerequisites does not guarantee admission. The public nursing FAQs describe science and general-education prerequisites (for example BIOL& 241–242, CHEM& 121, micro nutrient courses, statistics, English, psychology, humanities) with a combined GPA of at least 3.0 in both the science and general-education groupings and at least 2.0 per individual course. Applications use a points score sheet and submitted packet—see the admission resources downloads on the nursing index page.
NAC requirement: FAQs require an active nursing assistant credential at application submission (pending licenses are not accepted). CPR: must be American Heart Association BLS per SVC FAQ.
Application timeline (examples from SVC nursing index)
| Cohort / campus | Milestone | Published date (verify for your year) |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 full-time RN · Mount Vernon | Apply to be an SVC student | By Nov. 14, 2025 |
| Spring 2026 · Mount Vernon | Transcript evaluation + official transcripts (non-SVC) | By Nov. 28, 2025 |
| Fall 2026 full-time RN · Mount Vernon | Apply to be an SVC student | By April 3, 2026 |
| Fall 2026 · Mount Vernon | Nursing application packet due | June 29, 2026 by 5 p.m. (postmark rule applies) |
| Winter 2027 full-time RN · Whidbey Island | Apply to be an SVC student | By Aug. 21, 2026 |
| Winter 2027 · Whidbey | Nursing application packet due | Oct. 15, 2026 by 5 p.m. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Cohort size (FAQ) | ~60 Mount Vernon DTA applicants / 36 seats; 30 seats Whidbey Island (per SVC nursing FAQ) |
| Prerequisite GPA | ≥3.0 in science grouping and ≥3.0 in general-education grouping with 2.0 minimum per course (SVC FAQ) |
| TEAS / HESI | Not listed in SVC nursing FAQ overview; confirm with the nursing office whether any exam is required for your cohort. |
| Nursing assistant (NAC) | Active NAC required at application (SVC FAQ) |
Honest tips
Download the current Admissions Points Score Sheet and application checklist early, finish sciences within the 10-year science window described in SVC materials, and plan transcript evaluations well before cutoff dates. If you are waitlisted, note SVC’s alternate rules differ between Mount Vernon and Whidbey.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Skagit Valley College bills on a quarter system. The figures below come directly from the college’s Academic Year 2025–2026 tuition tables (effective Fall 2025–Summer 2026). Nursing courses are typically lower-division (below 300-level); specialty or upper-division fees would use the separate upper-division grid if applicable.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Lower-division tuition (1 credit example) | WA resident: $131.96 tuition + $27.00 mandatory student fees = $158.96 total (SVC table) |
| Lower-division tuition (1 credit, non-resident) | Out-of-state: $198.03 tuition + $27.00 fees = $225.03 total (SVC table) |
| International lower-division (1 credit) | $339.30 tuition + $27.00 fees = $366.30 (SVC table) |
| Nursing-specific fees | Class or program fees (for example optional fitness center, name-tag replacement) may add to billed costs—see SVC fees catalog notes. |
| Official source | Skagit Valley College — Tuition & Fees (2025–2026); Cost of attendance / net price tools |
| Secondary context | NCES College Navigator — Skagit Valley College for IPEDS summaries; confirm billed charges with the cashier. |
The stat banner’s $131.96 figure matches the published Washington resident lower-division tuition per credit at the one-credit tier before bundling discounts for larger credit loads. Use the full grid on SVC’s tuition page to model a full quarter.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Graduates of SVC’s ADN pathways are eligible to sit for NCLEX-RN after Washington Board approval. SVC’s student achievement table also lists a program completion rate alongside NCLEX; cite numbers with the year and methodology shown on the About Nursing page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2025, WABON) | 95.31% (61/64), Skagit Valley College ADN row — February 2026 NCLEX school reports PDF. |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2024, school table) | 96.77% (Skagit Valley College student achievement data, Year 2024) |
| Program completion (2024, school table) | 77% (SVC reports actual vs expected achievement for completion within 100% of program length—confirm definition on About Nursing) |
| Job placement within 6 months | Not publicly disclosed in sources used for this guide |
| Source / next step | Confirm current cohorts with SVC and the Washington State Board of Nursing; see References. |
Is Skagit Valley College the Right Fit for You?
Skagit Valley College suits students who want a public, North Sound ADN close to home, can commit to county-wide travel for clinicals, and accept that admission uses points-based selection with more qualified applicants than seats.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live in Skagit, Island, Whatcom, or nearby Snohomish communities and can commute to Mount Vernon or Oak Harbor instructional sites.
- Value documented simulation resources and named regional hospital partnerships highlighted by SVC.
- Prefer Washington community-college tuition and are ready to maintain a strong science GPA and active NAC license through the application window.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a guaranteed clinical seat—Mount Vernon and Whidbey cohorts cap applicants annually.
- Cannot travel reliably across multiple counties for assigned rotations.
- Expect an on-campus RN-to-BSN from SVC; plan for transfer partnerships instead.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The North Sound and Whidbey Basin include community hospitals, critical-access facilities, long-term care, tribal and public health services, and specialty clinics extending toward Bellingham and the I-5 corridor. SVC’s nursing partnership list names organizations such as Skagit Valley Hospital, Island Hospital, PeaceHealth United General Hospital, WhidbeyHealth (Coupeville), and Naval Hospital Whidbey—assignments rotate; confirm the current affiliation roster with the program.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| Skagit Valley Hospital (Mount Vernon) | Regional acute care cited on SVC’s nursing partnership page. |
| Island Hospital (Anacortes) | Island County access; cited among SVC partners. |
| PeaceHealth St. Joseph (Bellingham) | Acute partner noted in SVC’s partnership list; reinforces northward clinical opportunity. |
| Community LTC & clinics | Partnership page also lists skilled nursing, home health, dialysis, and school-based sites—confirm individual assignments. |
Labor-market demand fluctuates; consult Washington Employment Security Department nursing employment data for trend context rather than a placement guarantee.
Student Experience & Campus Life
SVC’s nursing department hosts information sessions in Angst Hall (A-129) on Mount Vernon with published spring 2026 calendar dates, plus periodic Zoom sessions. The Skagit Valley College Simulation Center is emphasized on About Nursing as part of skills and judgment development. Nursing students follow a Student Nurse Handbook (2025–26 PDF linked from the nursing index) governing professionalism, clinical expectations, and safety. SVC recommends limited work hours during the full-time program—see About Nursing’s guidance on working while enrolled.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Primary nursing campus
- Mount Vernon, WA
- Address (Health Sciences / nursing)
- 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, US
- General college phone
- (360) 416-7600
- Nursing department contacts
- See Faculty & Staff (e.g., program specialist (360) 416-7045, department chair (360) 416-7892—confirm current roles on the page).
- Website
- skagit.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the ADN Admissions Application, points sheet, and handbook PDFs from the nursing admission resources table.
- Verify every prerequisite—including the 10-year science rule—against your transcripts and plan any missing courses at SVC to avoid transfer delays.
- Ensure your NAC license will be active (not pending) before your packet deadline and obtain AHA BLS CPR certification.
- Register for a nursing information session (Mount Vernon or Zoom) listed on the nursing index.
- Build a transportation plan for multi-county clinical travel and budget for gas/parking.
- Create a WABON bookmark for NCLEX PDF updates and compare SVC data with peer schools you are considering.
- Add official deadlines for both general admission to SVC and the nursing packet postmark to your calendar—these are separate steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ADN pathways does Skagit Valley College offer?
SVC offers the Registered Nursing DTA/MRP (pre-licensure ADN with transfer framework), the Registered Nursing AAS (for LPNs or certain transfer students), Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP for prerequisites, and a Nursing Assistant Certificate. RN-to-BSN is not listed as an SVC degree in the nursing pages reviewed for this guide.
What is the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for Skagit Valley College?
WABON’s February 2026 NCLEX school reports list Skagit Valley College with 61 of 64 first-time NCLEX-RN passes in 2025 (95.31%) and 60 of 62 (96.77%) in 2024. SVC’s student achievement table lists 96.77% first-time for Year 2024. Confirm the newest PDF and school table with WABON and SVC.
Does Skagit Valley College require the TEAS exam for nursing?
SVC nursing FAQs emphasize prerequisite GPA, course lists, and NAC licensure; they do not list TEAS among the public requirements reviewed here. Always confirm with the nursing department before applying.
What GPA do Skagit Valley College nursing applicants need?
FAQs require at least 3.0 in the science grouping and 3.0 in the general-education grouping, with every prerequisite at 2.0 or higher, using the CollegeBoard GPA scale for point calculations.
How much is Skagit Valley College lower-division tuition in 2025–2026?
SVC lists $131.96 per credit for Washington residents at the one-credit lower-division tier, plus mandatory fees (for example $27.00 on the one-credit example). Non-resident lower-division tuition starts at $198.03 per credit at that tier.
Is Skagit Valley College’s nursing program accredited?
SVC states the program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Washington State Board of Nursing. Verify the current ACEN letter and Board approval.
Do I need an active NAC license for Skagit Valley College RN admission?
Yes. FAQs require an active nursing assistant credential at application time; pending approval is not accepted.
How many students apply to each Skagit Valley College RN cohort?
Mount Vernon DTA applicants are estimated near 60 per cohort with 36 seats; Whidbey cohorts offer 30 seats, per SVC FAQ.
Where are Skagit Valley College nursing clinicals located?
SVC lists clinical travel throughout Skagit, Whatcom, Snohomish, and Island counties; students cannot choose sites—faculty assign placements.
Where can I verify Washington nursing program NCLEX data?
Use nursing.wa.gov program pass rates and download the latest NCLEX PDF. Always confirm cohort year and first-time definition with the Board.
References
- Skagit Valley College — Nursing program hubskagit.edu/…/nursing
- Skagit Valley College — About Nursing (achievement data)About Nursing
- Skagit Valley College — Nursing FAQsNursing FAQs
- Skagit Valley College — Tuition & Fees (2025–2026)Tuition & Fees
- Skagit Valley College — Faculty & Staff (partnerships list)Contact Faculty/Staff
- Washington State Board of Nursing — NCLEX school reports (Feb 2026)NCLEX-pass-rates.pdf
- Washington State Board of Nursing — Program pass ratesnursing.wa.gov program pass rates
- NCES College Navigator — Skagit Valley Collegences.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=236638
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX figures against SVC student achievement tables and the WABON February 2026 NCLEX school reports PDF, program scope against SVC nursing pages, and tuition against the college’s 2025–2026 schedule.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Published: April 1, 2026 · Last reviewed: April 1, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy