Nursing Programs in Portland, OR

2026 Best Nursing Schools in Portland

Choosing the right nursing program is crucial for aspiring nurses, and rankings based on objective data can guide this important decision. Registerednursing.org is creating rankings of the best nursing schools in Portland to help students identify top programs. Our methodology focuses exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criteria, ensuring transparency and reliability. For more details on how we compile these rankings, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Portland area nursing programs have shown fluctuating NCLEX pass rates over recent years, with notable peaks and variations in student numbers.

• 2020: Average pass rate 88.91% with 136 students
• 2021: Average pass rate 83.8% with 140 students
• 2022: Average pass rate 87.76% with 152 students
• 2023: Average pass rate 96.52% with 153 students
• 2024: Average pass rate 91.98% with 213 students

BSN vs ADN Pass Rate Comparison

When comparing different nursing program types in the Portland region, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs demonstrate higher average pass rates than Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs.

• ADN programs: Average pass rate 89.17% with 89 students
• BSN programs: Average pass rate 94% with 124 students

Top Performing Schools

Based on average pass rates across all available years with at least 20 students, these Portland area nursing schools consistently rank among the highest performers.

• George Fox University: Average pass rate 93.99% with 332 students over 5 years
• Clackamas Community College: Average pass rate 88.7% with 129 students over 5 years
• Mt Hood Community College: Average pass rate 86.71% with 333 students over 5 years

Pass Rate by Program Size

Program size appears to correlate with pass rate performance in Portland nursing schools, with larger programs generally achieving higher average rates.

• Small programs (<50 students/year): Average pass rate 78% with 18 students
• Medium programs (50-100 students/year): Average pass rate 92% with 71 students
• Large programs (>100 students/year): Average pass rate 94% with 124 students

Consistently High Performing Schools

Some Portland nursing schools maintain exceptional performance over multiple years, demonstrating reliability in preparing students for licensure exams.

• George Fox University: Average pass rate 93.99% with 332 students over 5 years

#1

George Fox University

Newberg, OR - Private 4-year - georgefox.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

George Fox University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, accredited by CCNE, integrates scientific rigor with compassionate care through hands-on clinical experiences across diverse healthcare settings. The program emphasizes holistic health, leadership development, and lifelong learning while meeting licensure requirements in all 50 states. Recent NCLEX pass rates have ranged from 88% to 98%, with a 94% pass rate in 2024 among 124 students. Admission requires ACT or SAT scores. Graduates are well-prepared for RN licensure and equipped with skills from simulation clinics and real-world practice to excel in various healthcare environments.

• CCNE accredited program.
• 96% NCLEX first-time pass rate.
• Prepares for RN licensure in all states.
• Hands-on clinical experiences.
• Simulation clinic for real-world practice.
• Focus on holistic health care.
• Emphasizes leadership and lifelong learning.
• Diverse healthcare settings exposure.
• Meets Oregon State Board of Nursing requirements.
• Opportunities for graduate education preparation.

#2

Portland Community College

Portland, OR - Public 2-Year - pcc.edu

Associate - Nursing AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

Portland Community College's Associate Degree in Nursing (AAS) program provides comprehensive training for aspiring nurses through a two-year campus-based curriculum. The program requires completion of pre-program courses with a grade of C or better, covering essential topics like anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and pharmacology. With a focus on both chronic and acute care nursing, it prepares graduates for diverse healthcare settings. NCLEX pass rates have been strong, reaching 100% in 2023. As an associate-level program, it does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams. Financial aid is available, making this an accessible pathway to nursing licensure.

• 2-year program length
• Campus-based learning
• Financial aid eligible
• Limited entry program
• 108 total credits
• Pre-program courses required
• Grade C or better needed
• Focus on chronic care
• Focus on acute care
• Anatomy and physiology courses

#3

Oregon Health & Science University

Portland, OR - Public 4-Year - ohsu.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Oregon Health & Science University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program delivers a comprehensive three-year curriculum requiring 180 credits, with prerequisites completed before enrollment. This campus-based program emphasizes critical thinking and leadership development through diverse clinical placements and advanced simulation labs. While the program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams, it maintains strong NCLEX preparation, with recent pass rates ranging from 68% to 96% across different cohorts. Students benefit from local clinical opportunities, scholarships, and a consistent cohort model throughout the program duration, preparing graduates for enhanced career prospects in nursing.

• 3-year program duration.
• Campuses across Oregon.
• High-quality nursing education.
• Diverse clinical experiences.
• Advanced simulation labs.
• 180 credits required.
• Prerequisites needed before enrollment.
• Scholarships available.
• Prepares for higher salaries.
• Focus on critical thinking.

#4

Mt Hood Community College

Gresham, OR - Public 4-Year - mhcc.edu

Associate - Nursing (RN) - Degree

Campus Based - Visit Website

Mt. Hood Community College's campus-based Nursing (RN) - Degree program in Gresham prepares students for RN licensure through a comprehensive curriculum focused on health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management. This program requires prerequisite courses with a minimum 3.0 GPA and emphasizes hands-on clinical experience for patient assessment, care plan implementation, and collaborative healthcare teamwork. Approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, graduates are eligible for the RN-NCLEX exam. Recent NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, reaching 95% in 2023 and 92% in 2024. The program offers an optional pathway to a BSN through partner universities. No entrance exam is required for this bachelor's-level program.

• Approved by Oregon State Board
• Prepares for RN-NCLEX exam
• Hands-on clinical experience
• Optional BSN pathway
• Minimum 3.0 GPA required
• Focus on health promotion
• Collaborative healthcare team training
• Disease prevention emphasis
• Chronic disease management
• Patient assessment skills

#5

Sumner College

Portland, OR - Private 4-year - sumnercollege.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sumner College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program in Portland offers a hybrid format combining online coursework with on-campus clinical experiences over 32 months. This CCNE-accredited program requires the TEAS entrance exam for admission and has demonstrated strong NCLEX performance, with pass rates ranging from 72% to 93% in recent years, including a 93% pass rate in 2024. The program features no prerequisites, rolling enrollment, and allows transfer of up to 25% of credits. Oregon's nursing field shows promising growth at 15.2% with average RN salaries reaching $98,630 annually.

• No prerequisites required
• Hybrid delivery format
• 32 months to complete
• $510 per credit tuition
• 98% retention rate
• CCNE and OSBN approved
• Rolling enrollment
• Transfer up to 25% credits
• Hands-on learning
• High RN salaries in Oregon

*Data citation: NCES, IPEDS 2024 Final Release Data.

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Portland, OR

Few careers offer as much day to day and long term job satisfaction as nursing. For entry-level workers, career changers, high school graduates and others looking to begin a career in the nursing profession, LPN to RN, ADN, and BSN programs in Portland, OR are great places to begin.

LPN to RN Programs

LPN to RN bridge programs, or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) programs, allow students to earn their RN license in less time than in stand-alone programs. By focusing on nursing fundamentals, theory, and real-world experience, these programs ready students to become RNs and sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. Mt. Hood Community College offers a limited LPN to RN bridge program for LPNs with current licensures and at least 5 years of work experience. The intensive competency-based program, which is only offered once every other year, requires applicants to pass the HESI LPN-ADN entrance exam.

ADN Programs

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) programs in Portland, OR take approximately two years to complete and prepare students to successfully complete the NCLEX exam, a requirement to become an RN. Most require students to complete prerequisites before applying to their programs; however, by incorporating general education material into its ADN program, Sumner College allows those without prerequisites to apply. This accelerated, 24-month ADN program, which limits cohort sizes and focuses on professional nursing excellence, has a 95% student retention rate and a 98% rate of job attainment upon graduation.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Nurses who earn their BSN degrees can become more sought after by employers and earn a higher salary. As such, many colleges in Portland, OR are offering both four-year and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. BSN programs combine general education as well as practical and theoretical nursing coursework. The BSN program at OHSU, which is part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), allows students entering the program from Portland Community College others to graduate at an accelerated pace.

Find out more about Oregon Accelerated BSN Programs

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Portland, OR

Registered Nurses can take on advanced roles and earn a higher salary and by completing their bachelor’s or master’s degrees while they continue to work. These bridge ADN to BSN/MSN programs or RN to BSN/MSN programs are comprehensive and thorough while allowing nurses to complete them at an accelerated pace.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs are designed for expediency so that working registered nurses can obtain their bachelor’s degree in a year of full-time study or two years of part-time study. Located in Portland, OR, Linfield College offers an online RN to BSN program so working nurses can take courses during daytime, evening, or night hours. The accelerated program grew from its traditional nursing offerings; the College enjoys a 30+ year partnership with the nearby Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center.

Find out more about Oregon RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

Nurses who are certain about their long term career trajectory can benefit by entering a bridge RN to MSN program. By choosing an area of specialty at the on-set of the bachelor’s program, nursing students can take a faster track to obtaining their master’s degree. The RN to MSN program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) offers this option for students so they can finish their programs sooner and advance their careers faster.

Find out more about Oregon RN to MSN Programs

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Portland, OR

To advance their careers, take on leadership roles, or specialize in niche fields of study, registered nurses in Portland, Oregon can pursue an MSN, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral program.  Area universities offer online and blended on-ground and online advanced practice nursing programs so that working professionals in the field can readily achieve their educational and career goals.

MSN Programs

For those nurses who want to take on administrative roles or serve as nurse practitioners, they can advance their careers with a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland, OR offers an online MSN program specializing in areas such as Gerontology, Midwifery, Anesthesia, Psychiatric, and Public Health.

Find out more about Oregon Nurse Practitioner Programs

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Practicing nurses with a master’s degree who want to focus their career in a specialized area can complete a certificate program. Many of these certifications are offered online, such as Walden University’s Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Informatics. Many of these programs offer a lot of flexibility so busy working nurses can earn their certificate at their own pace.

Learn more about Oregon Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP & Ph.D. Programs

Nurses who wish to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) or enter other APRN specialties are afforded the opportunity to provide clinical nursing care at the highest levels via a doctoral program. University of Portland offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree for registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree; no master’s degree is required. The terminal degree program prepares graduates to sit for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination.

Learn more about Oregon DNP Programs