University of Washington School of Nursing: Programs, NCLEX-RN & What Applicants Should Know (2026)
Public research university on the Seattle campus: two-year professional BSN after prerequisites, four-quarter Accelerated BSN (ABSN), and doctoral and informatics graduate pathways. This guide cites WABON first-time NCLEX-RN data for the “University of Washington – BSN” row, program scope from nursing.uw.edu, and UW Seattle tuition context from NCES.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
UW’s Seattle School of Nursing pairs a research-intensive faculty with the UW Medicine clinical ecosystem and a Simulation Center in the Health Sciences T-wing. Pre-licensure students apply into a two-year BSN professional phase (or the faster ABSN if you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s), with the Office of Clinical Placements arranging rotations rather than students self-hunting every site—confirm policies on nursing.uw.edu.
Overview & Why Students Choose UW School of Nursing
The University of Washington School of Nursing sits on the Seattle campus in the Magnuson Health Sciences complex, minutes from UW Medicine anchor hospitals. It combines large-university research infrastructure with pre-licensure pathways that start at the junior level: you complete extensive prerequisites first, then enter a full-time two-year professional BSN sequence (or the Accelerated BSN if you already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s).
Graduate offerings on nursing.uw.edu/academics include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (multiple clinical and systems tracks), PhD in Nursing Science, the jointly administered MS in Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies with the School of Medicine, graduate nursing certificates, graduate non-matriculated study, and doctoral/post-doctoral training spaces. This page centers on programs listed on that academics hub; UW Bothell and Tacoma campuses operate separate nursing units.
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) nursing program NCLEX pass rates (PDF, February 2026), the University of Washington – BSN row shows 85.43% first-time NCLEX-RN (170 of 199 first-time test takers) for 2025 and 93.03% (187 of 201) for 2024. WABON tables combine UW pre-licensure BSN outcomes under this single row; confirm the latest publication with WABON and the School of Nursing.
Reasons students choose the UW School of Nursing
UW Medicine & regional clinical density
The Office of Clinical Placements cites UW Medicine, the Clinical Placement Northwest Consortium, and other partners for rotations across community health, inpatient, pediatric, obstetric, and psychosocial settings—while noting that specific placements are not guaranteed.
Simulation Center in the T-wing
Skills and high-fidelity simulation are integrated into both BSN and ABSN curricula; public visitors may tour by arrangement via the Simulation Center contact information on nursing.uw.edu.
Accelerated BSN pacing
UW’s ABSN pages describe a four-quarter intensive track and 600+ hours of direct patient care after prerequisites—positioned for career changers who already finished a bachelor’s in another field.
Research & doctoral depth
The school advertises nationally recognized DNP faculty clusters (per program marketing) and a PhD in nursing science aligned with UW’s research mission—useful if you may eventually pursue graduate study.
Documented NCLEX reporting
WABON publishes multi-year first-time pass rates for UW’s BSN program alongside every other Washington school—compare cohort size and trends before you decide.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following reflects the Programs directory on nursing.uw.edu. UW Seattle’s nursing school does not use this page to advertise a distinct RN-to-BSN completion track; RNs seeking a UW-branded online completion option should review UW Bothell Nursing & Health Studies or other institutions.
Pre-licensure
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Two-year professional program after ~90 quarter credits of prerequisites (or a prior bachelor’s) on the Seattle campus. Includes lecture, simulation, and more than 600 hours of supervised patient care per the BSN overview. Graduates earn a BSN and prepare for NCLEX-RN.
Accelerated BSN (ABSN)
Four-quarter, full-time intensive pathway for applicants with a completed non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Per UW, ABSN includes 600+ clinical hours plus simulation; applicants must also seek UW post-baccalaureate admission separately from School of Nursing admission. At first use on this page: Accelerated BSN (ABSN)—UW uses this standard naming on nursing.uw.edu.
Graduate & doctoral
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
UW’s DNP marketing describes an ~11-quarter curriculum with multiple APRN specialties (adult-gerontology acute and primary care, family, psychiatric mental health, pediatric acute/primary, nurse-midwifery, women’s health, population health) and hybrid delivery for several tracks—verify your specialty page for exact modality.
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Science (PhD)
Research doctorate emphasizing nursing science, health equity, and interdisciplinary collaboration per the PhD program overview.
MS-CIPCT
Master of Science in Clinical Informatics and Patient-Centered Technologies, run jointly with the UW School of Medicine—focused on data, technology, and patient-centered improvement rather than a generic “MSN NP” concentration.
Graduate certificates, GNM, post-doc
nursing.uw.edu also lists graduate certificates, Graduate Non-Matriculated status, post-doctoral study, and continuing education hooks—confirm which options admit across state lines or require an active RN license.
Names, specialties, and delivery modes change. Confirm every pathway in the UW General Catalog, your intended specialty’s admissions PDF, and nursing.uw.edu before budgeting or moving.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to the Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON) Nursing program NCLEX pass rates PDF (February 2026), the University of Washington – BSN row reports first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for pre-licensure baccalaureate graduates. The table shows 85.43% for 2025 (170 of 199), 93.03% for 2024 (187 of 201), 90.91% for 2023 (130 of 143), 78.72% for 2022 (111 of 141), and 86.52% for 2021 (122 of 141).
WABON notes that programs must meet an 80% first-time pass-rate expectation under Washington rules—interpret enforcement details with the Board. Because UW does not have a separate WABON line for ABSN versus traditional BSN, both cohorts are reflected together in this row.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (UW BSN row, 2025) | 85.43% (170 of 199 first-time test takers), per WABON PDF February 2026 |
| NCLEX-RN first-time (UW BSN row, 2024) | 93.03% (187 of 201), same source |
| Source | WABON — Nursing program NCLEX pass rates (PDF); Program pass rates landing page. Confirm current cohorts with the Washington State Board of Nursing and UW School 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 PDF and with the School of Nursing.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
International applicants to UW nursing should follow the School’s international applicants page for transcript evaluations (WES is recommended for non-U.S. work), English proficiency expectations, and any extra documentation. This section is guidance—not legal or immigration advice.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum scores for degree admission to UW and the nursing program—confirm with UW Office of International Admissions/TISS and nursing.uw.edu.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Follow nursing.uw.edu instructions for international coursework; course-by-course reports are typically required before prerequisites can count.
- Washington Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by exam or endorsement after a U.S. degree, confirm eligibility, background requirements, and NCLEX registration steps on nursing.wa.gov.
- Immigration & visa: Clinical placements may require additional site-specific compliance; verify F-1 Curricular Practical Training timelines with International Student Services.
Policies change frequently. Verify with UW’s international office, the School of Nursing Office of Student and Academic Affairs, and the Washington State Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
UW’s pre-licensure pathways are selective: meeting prerequisite thresholds does not guarantee admission. The BSN page describes completing roughly 90 quarter credits before the professional phase, including natural science prerequisites with either three sciences at cumulative ≥3.0 or four sciences at ≥2.8 at application time, plus essays, experience statements, one recommendation, and transcript uploads. The ABSN page adds requirements such as a 2.8 cumulative GPA across college work, minimum 3.0 in each natural science prerequisite at submission, and minimum 3.0 (“B”) grades in every ABSN prerequisite including statistics and lifespan development—plus separate post-baccalaureate admission to UW.
Graduate nursing admissions (DNP, PhD, certificates) use distinct portals and faculty review; consult each program’s admissions PDF on nursing.uw.edu.
Application timeline
| Program | Deadline pattern | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| BSN professional phase | Quarterly nursing application + UW admission | See Apply Now — Undergraduate for cycle dates. |
| ABSN | Spring and autumn cohort starts (four-quarter sequence) | Must apply to UW as post-baccalaureate for the matching quarter; nursing admission does not guarantee UW general admission. |
| Graduate (DNP/PhD) | Program-specific | Many tracks use NursingCAS plus UW Graduate School steps—read your specialty page. |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite GPA benchmarks | See BSN natural science GPA rules above; ABSN requires stricter per-course grades—confirm updates on nursing.uw.edu PDFs. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the BSN/ABSN overview pages used for this guide—confirm on the current application instructions. |
| Clinical clearance | Expect immunizations, background checks, and site-specific policies before clinical rotations. |
Honest tips
Map prerequisites to the official worksheets early (BSN vs ABSN PDFs differ). If you pursue ABSN, synchronize the dual application streams—School of Nursing and UW post-baccalaureate—so you do not miss a quarterly deadline. Use WABON data to benchmark pre-licensure outcomes, but remember cohort sizes at UW are large (see 199 first-time testers in 2025), so year-to-year percentages can shift.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
The University of Washington operates on a quarter system. Figures below come from the U.S. Department of Education / NCES College Navigator (IPEDS) for UW Seattle (id=236948) for 2024–2025. They are university-wide averages, not a nursing-specific fee schedule—clinical courses, differential tuition, or professional program charges may alter your bill.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition & fees (2024–2025) | Washington resident: $12,973 · Non-resident: $43,209 (NCES) |
| Graduate tuition & fees (2024–2025, NCES summary) | Resident tuition: $17,688 + $1,104 fees · Non-resident tuition: $31,707 + $1,104 fees (NCES) |
| Food & housing + COA (NCES full-time UG, 2024–2025) | Food & housing (on- or off-campus) $18,405; other expenses $3,027; total published on-campus COA $35,305 in-state / $65,541 out-of-state including tuition, fees, books (NCES) |
| Nursing funding / cost tools | Funding your School of Nursing program |
| Source | NCES College Navigator — University of Washington-Seattle Campus; confirm current tuition, segregated fees, and professional program charges with UW Student Fiscal Services. |
The stat banner rounds NCES undergraduate tuition & fees to $12.9k / $43.2k for readability. ABSN marketing notes higher total investment versus the traditional BSN pace—budget with official quarterly statements, not summary figures alone.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Pre-licensure graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN; official first-time pass-rate history appears under the UW – BSN row in WABON’s PDF (see NCLEX-RN Pass Rate). For employment or salary figures, rely on UW consumer disclosures or school-reported outcome dashboards rather than uncited percentages on third-party sites.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (UW BSN row, 2025) | 85.43% (170 of 199), per WABON PDF February 2026 |
| Job placement / employment rate | Not publicly disclosed on this page; see UW career outcomes and institutional consumer information. |
| Source / next step | Confirm outcomes with the UW School of Nursing and WABON; see References. |
Is UW School of Nursing the Right Fit for You?
UW fits applicants who want a public research university tied to UW Medicine, can thrive in a fast quarter pace, and are prepared for competitive admission and large-cohort NCLEX reporting.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want access to UW Medicine, Harborview, Children’s, and other major Puget Sound systems through structured clinical placement processes.
- Plan to finish rigorous science prerequisites before a two-year professional BSN or can commit to an intensive ABSN year.
- Value optional pathways into DNP or PhD study within the same institution.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a part-time or fully online pre-licensure program (UW pre-licensure is campus-intensive).
- Expect a typical freshman-entry four-year nursing major without two years of upper-division prerequisites elsewhere.
- Require the lowest possible tuition as a non-resident without scholarships—verify residency rules and net price carefully.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The UW Seattle campus sits adjacent to the UW Medical Center – Montlake campus and within a few miles of Harborview Medical Center (King County’s Level I trauma center), Seattle Children’s Hospital, veterans care through the VA Puget Sound system, and numerous Swedish/Providence, MultiCare, Kaiser Permanente Washington, and community clinics. Demand for baccalaureate-prepared nurses remains strong regionally, but placement is not automatic—confirm hiring trends with workforce reports rather than relying on any single statistic.
| Facility / system | Relevance |
|---|---|
| UW Medicine | Flagship academic health system; frequent rotation and employment destination for UW nursing graduates. |
| Harborview Medical Center | County-owned trauma and safety-net hospital with high-acuity learning opportunities when assigned. |
| Seattle Children’s Hospital | Pediatric quaternary hospital; pediatric experiences depend on cohort placement. |
| VA Puget Sound Health Care System | Federal system serving veterans; may host select student experiences. |
Exact facilities vary by course, instructor, and memoranda of understanding—verify active partners with the Office of Clinical Placements.
Student Experience & Campus Life
The School of Nursing occupies floors 3–6 of the T-wing in the Magnuson Health Sciences Building, with the main office at T-301. Students use the publicly marketed Simulation Center, Learning Lab spaces, and typical UW student services (libraries, counseling, clubs). Husky life spans intercollegiate athletics, hundreds of RSOs, and city living in Seattle’s University District—budget for housing and transportation accordingly.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Seattle, WA
- Mailing address
- Box 357260, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Shipping / office
- Health Sciences Building, Room T-301, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195
- Telephone
- (206) 543-8736
- asknursing@uw.edu
- Website
- nursing.uw.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the current BSN or ABSN prerequisite worksheet and map every course you still need.
- Open the WABON NCLEX PDF and read the UW – BSN row for multi-year context.
- Register for a School of Nursing information session if available.
- If ABSN-bound, verify both UW post-baccalaureate deadlines and nursing deadlines.
- Review funding options for scholarships and aid contacts.
- Sketch transportation and housing plans for quarter schedules that may include early clinical starts.
- Add calendar reminders for application materials, transcript uploads, and recommendation requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What nursing degrees does the University of Washington School of Nursing list on its main programs page?
As of this review, nursing.uw.edu/academics lists pre-licensure BSN and ABSN, DNP, PhD in Nursing Science, MS-CIPCT (with the School of Medicine), graduate certificates, graduate non-matriculated study, post-doctoral training links, and other graduate options—not a Seattle-campus RN-to-BSN completion track.
What is the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for UW’s BSN program in the latest WABON report?
According to the WABON NCLEX pass rates PDF (February 2026), the University of Washington – BSN row shows an 85.43% first-time pass rate (170 of 199) for 2025. Confirm future cohorts in updated WABON tables.
How long is UW’s Accelerated BSN?
UW describes ABSN as a four-quarter, full-time intensive program after prerequisites, designed for students who already hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
How much does UW Seattle cost for undergraduates?
NCES College Navigator lists tuition and required fees of $12,973 for in-state and $43,209 for out-of-state undergraduates in 2024–2025—before housing, food, or nursing-specific charges. Confirm your personalized cost of attendance with UW.
Does UW require post-baccalaureate admission separately from nursing for ABSN?
Yes. The ABSN page states you must apply to UW as a post-baccalaureate student for the appropriate quarter and that nursing admission does not guarantee UW admission.
Where will I take clinical rotations as a UW nursing student?
UW cites UW Medicine partners, the Clinical Placement Northwest Consortium, and many other agencies; rotations span community through inpatient settings. Specific hospitals are assigned and can change.
Is the UW School of Nursing CCNE accredited?
The school publishes CCNE accreditation for its nursing programs. Verify specialty coverage and effective dates with CCNE’s directory.
Are Bothell and Tacoma nursing programs the same as Seattle?
No. UW Bothell and UW Tacoma operate separate nursing or health leadership schools with different degrees and contacts. This guide covers the Seattle School of Nursing only.
Where can I verify Washington NCLEX pass rates?
Use the Washington State Board of Nursing program pass rates PDF (see References) and cross-check counts with UW if needed.
References
- UW School of Nursing — Programs (academics)nursing.uw.edu/academics
- UW School of Nursing — BSNnursing.uw.edu/academics/bsn
- UW School of Nursing — ABSNnursing.uw.edu/academics/absn
- UW School of Nursing — Contactnursing.uw.edu/contact
- Washington State Board of Nursing — NCLEX pass rates (PDF)NCLEX-pass-rates.pdf (February 2026)
- Washington State Board of Nursing — program pass rates pagenursing.wa.gov — Program pass rates
- NCES College Navigator — University of Washington–Seattle (tuition)nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator — UW Seattle
- 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 alignment with the February 2026 WABON pass-rate PDF, program scope against nursing.uw.edu/academics, tuition against NCES College Navigator (UW Seattle), and related-school merge order against nursing-schools-data.json.
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