Washington State University College of Nursing: What Prospective Students Should Know (2026)
Public R1 university with the College of Nursing anchored on the WSU Health Sciences campus in Spokane and additional undergraduate and graduate sites in the Tri-Cities and Vancouver. Below: WABON first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for the aggregated WSU BSN row, WSU Spokane 2025–2026 tuition and fee tables for undergraduate and graduate nursing, and NursingCAS/TEAS requirements for pre-licensure applicants.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
WSU’s College of Nursing sits on the WSU Health Sciences—Spokane campus alongside medicine and pharmacy, which supports interprofessional education. Pre-licensure students complete two years of UCORE and prerequisites (often at Pullman, Tri-Cities, or via transfer), then apply to upper-division nursing in Spokane or the Tri-Cities. Graduate pathways are largely hybrid/online with periodic campus or video intensives. The Western Regional Graduate Program may offer resident tuition to eligible students from participating western states.
Overview & Why Students Choose WSU College of Nursing
From agricultural roots to a modern Washington State University, WSU positions the College of Nursing as a statewide workforce partner: pre-licensure cohorts in Spokane and the Tri-Cities, RN-BSN completion (including Vancouver), and graduate programs that lean on hybrid delivery so working nurses can advance.
The Spokane Health Sciences campus collocates nursing with medicine and pharmacy—useful for simulations, IPE, and research collaborations such as WSU’s public-facing health projects highlighted on nursing.wsu.edu.
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) NCLEX School Reports (February 2026 publication), Washington State University — BSN reported a 92.89% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 (196 of 211 first-time test takers) and 97.12% for 2024 (202 of 208). Confirm the latest cohort in the PDF linked from the WABON program pass rates page and with WSU.
Reasons students choose WSU
Multi-site access across Washington
Pre-licensure nursing classes run in Spokane and the Tri-Cities; RN-BSN students can study from Vancouver or other sites with minimal on-ground requirements—match the campus list on WSU’s “Is nursing for you?” overview before you apply.
In-state public pricing & WRGP savings
WSU publishes per-campus tuition PDFs; WRGP may allow eligible students from 16 western states/territories to pay resident graduate tuition when enrolled full time in selected graduate programs.
FNP, PMHNP, and DNP depth
Graduate students can pursue population-health leadership through the MN or advance clinically via DNP tracks in primary care and psychiatric mental health nursing, plus a post-master’s general DNP option.
Research-intensive PhD pathway
Spokane lists the PhD in Nursing alongside MN and DNP offerings—appealing to students who want faculty mentorship and graduate funding opportunities described on WSU’s graduate program pages.
Documented clinical geography
WSU publishes catchment counties for Spokane and Tri-Cities clinical placements (eastern Washington and north Idaho for Spokane; south-central Washington for Tri-Cities), which helps applicants plan housing and commuting early.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following aligns with WSU College of Nursing pages including Is nursing for you?, Pre-licensure BSN, Graduate program overview, and campus location guides. Always confirm the catalog for your entry term.
Pre-licensure
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Four-year progression: roughly two years of UCORE and nursing prerequisites (Pullman, Tri-Cities, or transfer equivalencies), then two years of upper-division nursing on the Spokane or Tri-Cities campus. Instruction blends in-person labs and simulations with video links between sites depending on your home campus.
Post-licensure (completion)
RN-BSN
Degree-completion program delivered primarily through Canvas; WSU states one on-campus attendance day per semester. Spokane, Tri-Cities, and Vancouver sites participate—check the RN-BSN pages for start terms.
Graduate
Master of Nursing (MN), Population Health
Prepares nurses for population-focused practice, administration, education, and policy roles; coursework is largely online/hybrid with periodic campus or videoconference blocks.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Tracks include Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Post-Master’s General for nurses who already hold an advanced practice master’s.
PhD in Nursing
Research-focused doctorate with cohort mentoring; Spokane campus lists the PhD alongside other graduate programs. Funding details appear on WSU’s PhD program page.
Graduate nursing certificates
WSU advertises Nurse Educator, Public Health, and Nursing Leadership certificates with blended delivery.
Vancouver hosts RN-BSN plus MN, DNP, and certificates, but not the pre-licensure BSN. Spokane offers the full undergraduate and graduate suite including PhD; Tri-Cities lists pre-licensure BSN, RN-BSN, MN, DNP, and certificates. Yakima-based coursework has transitioned per WSU news—confirm your clinical geography with an advisor.
Tracks, delivery, and admissions rules change. Verify NursingCAS listings, the WSU catalog, and graduate handbooks before you budget time or tuition.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) NCLEX School Reports (February 2026 PDF listed on the pass-rates page), Washington State University — BSN reported
- 2025: 92.89% first-time pass rate (196 of 211 first-time test takers)
- 2024: 97.12% (202 of 208)
- 2023: 90.57% (240 of 265)
WABON publishes these counts for the combined WSU pre-licensure BSN program row; Washington expects nursing education programs to maintain at least an 80% first-time pass rate—see WABON materials for how compliance is applied.
NCLEX-RN applies to pre-licensure BSN graduates. RN-BSN completion, MN, DNP, and PhD students are already (or becoming) licensed/clinically advanced practitioners—do not mix their outcomes with this examination statistic.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2025) | 92.89% (196 of 211 first-time test takers), per WABON NCLEX School Reports (February 2026) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2024) | 97.12% (202 of 208), same source |
| Source | WABON — NCLEX pass rates (PDF, Feb 2026); Program pass rates landing page. Confirm current cohorts with the Washington State Board of Nursing and WSU College of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting cycle. Always confirm the latest first-time pass rates and test-taker counts in the WABON publication and with the nursing program.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
WSU’s NursingCAS instructions note that international applicants must upload a passport copy and may need transcript evaluations such as WES or ECE—parallel requirements often apply to internationally educated nurses seeking U.S. licensure. This section is guidance only, not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS/DET minimums for WSU admission—confirm with the WSU Office of International Programs.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WSU graduate and undergraduate admissions may require documented equivalencies for prerequisites completed outside the U.S.
- Washington Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement and NCLEX eligibility, follow nursing.wa.gov.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical courses require placements at U.S. agencies; visa status and background checks affect placement availability.
Policies change frequently. Verify with WSU International Programs, the College of Nursing admissions team (nursing.admissions@wsu.edu), and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Pre-licensure BSN: WSU admits through NursingCAS. Prerequisite coursework must average at least 3.0 with every required science/social science course at C (2.0) or better, and you may have no more than three prerequisites still in progress at submission. Application requirements also emphasize recent healthcare or volunteer exposure (within three years) and completion of junior-level credit before nursing coursework. After submitting to NursingCAS, WSU invites competitive applicants to a mandatory interview—plan travel or Zoom logistics accordingly.
ATI TEAS: WSU requires ≥ 70% overall on the TEAS; upload the Individual Performance Profile to NursingCAS by the same deadline as your application. Register at a location—sign up under WSU Spokane or Tri-Cities per WSU instructions.
Graduate nursing (MN, DNP, PhD, certificates): Each pathway has distinct prerequisites (RN licensure, statistics, health assessment, etc.). Start with How to apply to our graduate programs and the relevant track page.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-licensure BSN (Spokane/Tri-Cities) | Fall start: opens Nov 15, due Jan 15; Spring start: opens May 15, due Jul 15 | Deadlines end 11:59 p.m. Eastern per NursingCAS; NursingCAS also serves as the WSU application—do not submit a duplicate WSU application before decisions (per WSU). |
| RN-BSN / Graduate nursing | Term-based rolling or priority deadlines | Follow the RN-BSN and graduate admissions pages for your intended semester. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (PL-BSN) | WSU’s public BSN page includes a graphic citing roughly 60% acceptance—treat as marketing unless admissions publishes a data dictionary. |
| Prerequisite GPA / grades | 3.0 prerequisite GPA with at least C in each listed prerequisite; see WSU BSN prerequisite table. |
| TEAS | Required for pre-licensure BSN; minimum 70% composite. |
| Experiences | Healthcare or approved non-clinical service within three years; NursingCAS experience section. |
Honest tips
Order transcripts early—NursingCAS rejects applications missing institutions, and WSU recommends avoiding the paid Professional Transcript Entry shortcut if it risks deadlines. Because Spokane and Tri-Cities share coursework via video, test your home internet and plan for synchronous class blocks before you commit.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
WSU is a public university with different tuition tables per campus (Pullman, Spokane, Tri-Cities, Vancouver, Global Campus). Pre-licensure upper-division nursing students are based at Spokane or Tri-Cities, so the figures below come from the official WSU Spokane 2025–2026 printable PDF; compare the Tri-Cities PDF if Richland is your assigned campus. The Board of Regents approved a 3.3% tuition increase for 2026–2027—watch for updated PDFs on the Budget Office tuition page.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Resident undergraduate (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $12,260 tuition + building/operating + S&A + mandatory health components per PDF totals |
| Non-resident undergraduate (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $29,366 (same PDF) |
| Resident Graduate Nursing (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $18,334 |
| Non-resident Graduate Nursing (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $33,806 |
| Resident Professional DNP (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $24,342 |
| Non-resident Professional DNP (full-time academic year, Spokane 2025–26) | $39,814 |
| Part-time rule | Tuition PDF states part-time rates equal 1/10 of the full-time rate per credit hour with a minimum of two credits. |
| Source | WSU Spokane 2025–2026 tuition & fees PDF; Tuition and fee rates index; Student Financial Services — tuition & expenses |
WSU’s BSN overview cites about $12,000 vs. $29,000 year-one tuition for resident/non-resident Washington students—roughly consistent with the Budget Office totals above but rounded. Add housing, books, transportation, and optional university health insurance; explore College of Nursing scholarships and FAFSA (school code 003800).
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
WABON’s official table (cited above) remains the best primary source for NCLEX-RN first-time performance. WSU’s marketing pages state that a large share of graduates obtain jobs in their preferred fields, but any placement or employment percentage should be verified on the school’s outcomes or career pages with cohort year and methodology.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2025) | 92.89% (196 of 211), per WABON NCLEX School Reports (February 2026) |
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (BSN, 2024) | 97.12% (202 of 208), same source |
| Employment / placement | Confirm current figures on WSU College of Nursing publications; avoid comparing NCLEX and placement claims without understanding separate data sources. |
| Source | WABON — NCLEX pass rates (PDF); WSU nursing news and outcomes pages. |
Is WSU College of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
WSU fits students who want a public-university price point (especially for Washington residents), are comfortable with multi-site video instruction for portions of the pre-licensure curriculum, and plan clinical rotations across WSU’s published eastern Washington or Tri-Cities catchments.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want a CCNE-accredited public BSN with documented WABON outcomes and strong ties to Spokane’s Health Sciences campus.
- Thrive in structured NursingCAS/TEAS admissions timelines and can supply healthcare or service experiences from the last three years.
- Need graduate FNP, PMHNP, population-health MN, or DNP options with hybrid flexibility and WRGP possibilities.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Expect a fully online pre-licensure BSN (WSU requires in-person simulation and clinical immersion).
- Cannot relocate or commute within WSU’s clinical placement counties for Spokane or Tri-Cities.
- Prefer a single small campus experience for all four years without video-linked lectures.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Spokane campus: WSU lists clinical partners such as Providence and MultiCare hospitals in Eastern Washington, Kootenai Health in northern Idaho, plus skilled nursing and community agencies across a broad multi-county catchment. Tri-Cities campus: Rotations may include Trios Health, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, Lourdes Health, Columbia Basin Health Association, community health centers, and the Washington State Veterans Administration sites cited on WSU’s campus pages.
| Facility / system | Details |
|---|---|
| Providence & MultiCare (Spokane cohorts) | Major inpatient networks referenced by WSU for eastern Washington clinical training. |
| Kootenai Health | Regional medical center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho—within Spokane catchment counties. |
| Kadlec & Trios Health (Tri-Cities) | Acute and specialty care anchors for Richland/Kennewick/Pasco placements. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
Undergraduate Cougs often split time between a WSU residential campus for prerequisites (Pullman or Tri-Cities) and the Riverpoint nursing facilities in Spokane or Richland. Expect skills labs, high-fidelity simulation, and interprofessional touchpoints with pharmacy and medical learners on the Spokane Health Sciences campus. Graduate students attend concentrated on-campus or sim-lab blocks a few times each semester while completing most coursework online. Student life varies by campus—Pullman offers a classic residential flagship experience, while Spokane and Tri-Cities skew toward health-sciences student communities; consult each campus’s student affairs office for organizations and wellness resources.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- College hub
- Washington State University College of Nursing · Spokane Health Sciences campus
- Nursing building
- 103 E. Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202, US
- Admissions email
- nursing.admissions@wsu.edu
- Campus switchboard
- (509) 358-7500 (WSU Spokane—routing)
- Website
- nursing.wsu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Create a NursingCAS account and pull unofficial transcripts to map WSU nursing prerequisites.
- Schedule the ATI TEAS under WSU Spokane or Tri-Cities and budget the $120 exam fee noted on WSU’s TEAS page.
- Download the correct campus tuition PDF (Spokane vs. Tri-Cities vs. Pullman) and sketch housing/clinical commute costs.
- Attend a WSU nursing information session or open house (RN-BSN sessions are advertised on the events calendar).
- Email nursing.admissions@wsu.edu with documentation questions before the deadline crunch.
- Bookmark the WABON NCLEX pass rate PDF for Washington State University — BSN.
- Complete FAFSA (school code 003800) if you need federal or institutional aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing programs does Washington State University College of Nursing offer?
WSU offers pre-licensure BSN (Spokane and Tri-Cities), RN-BSN completion, Master of Nursing (Population Health), DNP tracks (FNP, PMHNP, Post-Master’s General), PhD in Nursing, and graduate certificates in Nurse Educator, Public Health, and Nursing Leadership. Confirm campus availability because Vancouver does not host the pre-licensure BSN.
What is the first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for WSU’s BSN program?
According to the WABON NCLEX School Reports (February 2026 PDF), Washington State University — BSN reported a 92.89% first-time pass rate for 2025 (196 of 211 testers) and 97.12% for 2024 (202 of 208). Confirm the latest year on nursing.wa.gov.
What TEAS score does WSU require?
WSU’s TEAS page requires a minimum composite of 70% and directs applicants to upload the Individual Performance Profile into NursingCAS by the application deadline.
When are NursingCAS deadlines for WSU pre-licensure BSN?
Fall: opens November 15, due January 15; Spring: opens May 15, due July 15 (11:59 p.m. Eastern). NursingCAS is the sole application pathway until WSU instructs otherwise.
How much is WSU Spokane undergraduate tuition for 2025–2026?
The Budget Office PDF lists resident undergraduate totals of $12,260 per academic year and non-resident undergraduate $29,366 before optional insurance and living expenses.
What are WSU’s graduate nursing tuition totals at Spokane for 2025–2026?
The same PDF shows resident Graduate Nursing at $18,334 per academic year, non-resident at $33,806, resident Professional DNP at $24,342, and non-resident DNP at $39,814—verify Tri-Cities or other campus PDFs if applicable.
Is WSU’s nursing program accredited?
WSU states that its BSN, MN, and DNP are accredited by CCNE; confirm PhD and certificate inclusion with CCNE’s directory and the college.
Does WSU use holistic admissions for nursing?
Yes—WSU markets holistic review and cites roughly a 60% acceptance figure on the BSN landing page. Treat that summary as promotional unless you obtain audited statistics.
Where do WSU pre-licensure nursing students complete clinicals?
Spokane materials reference Providence/MultiCare hospitals, Idaho partners such as Kootenai Health, and community agencies; Tri-Cities references Kadlec, Trios, Lourdes, CBHA, and others. Your admit letter lists the responsible campus.
Where can I verify Washington NCLEX data?
Use the Washington State Board of Nursing pass-rates landing page and PDF (see References) and cross-check figures with WSU if something looks outdated.
References
- Washington State University College of Nursingnursing.wsu.edu
- WSU — Pre-licensure BSN overviewnursing.wsu.edu/bsn
- WSU — How to apply (NursingCAS)nursing.wsu.edu/how-to-apply-pl-bsn
- WSU — TEAS testingnursing.wsu.edu/bsn/teas-testing
- WSU — Graduate program optionsnursing.wsu.edu/graduate-program-options
- WSU Budget Office — Spokane tuition PDF (2025–2026)wsu-spokane-tuition-rates-academic-year-2025-2026.pdf
- WSU Budget Office — tuition and fee ratesbudget.wsu.edu/tuition-and-fee-rates
- Washington State Board of Nursing — program pass ratesnursing.wa.gov/…/program-pass-rates
- Washington State Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (PDF, Feb 2026)NCLEX-pass-rates.pdf
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm
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 WABON NCLEX table alignment, WSU Budget Office Spokane 2025–2026 tuition PDF accuracy, and NursingCAS/TEAS requirements on the official WSU nursing site.
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