Nursing Programs in Portland, OR

Last Updated On Jul 30, 2026

Expert Verified: Melanie Shaw, MSN, RN, CCRN

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Portland

Rankings help prospective students choose nursing programs by objectively comparing success metrics. Registerednursing.org has created the Best Nursing Schools in Portland rankings, focusing exclusively on NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criteria. This data-driven approach highlights programs that effectively prepare graduates. Our methodology can be reviewed at https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates fluctuated over the five-year period, with a peak in 2023 and a slight decline in 2024. The number of students tested grew steadily, particularly in the final year.

2020: 88.91% average pass rate (136 students)
2021: 83.80% (140 students)
2022: 87.76% (152 students)
2023: 96.52% (153 students)
2024: 91.98% (213 students)

Yearly Nursing Graduates

The number of annual nursing graduates increased consistently, with the largest jump between 2023 and 2024.

2020: 136 graduates
2021: 140
2022: 152
2023: 153
2024: 213

Top Performing Schools

George Fox University leads with a five-year average pass rate above 93%, followed by Clackamas Community College and Mt Hood Community College.

George Fox University: 93.99% average pass rate (332 students, 5 years)
Clackamas Community College: 88.70% (129 students, 5 years)
Mt Hood Community College: 86.71% (333 students, 5 years)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Larger programs tended to have higher average pass rates, while small programs showed lower pass rates, though the sample size for small programs was limited.

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

Biggest Improvements

Mt Hood Community College showed the most notable improvement, while the other two schools experienced declines in pass rates.

Mt Hood Community College: +11 percentage points (81% to 92%)
George Fox University: -4 points (98% to 94%)
Clackamas Community College: -18 points (96% to 78%)

George Fox University

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

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at George Fox University blends scientific training with a commitment to compassionate care. Students develop skills in clinical judgment, communication, and data interpretation through hands-on experiences in acute care hospitals, community clinics, and a simulation lab. Graduates are eligible for NCLEX-RN licensure and enter nursing practice in areas like cardiology, emergency, pediatrics, and hospice. The CCNE-accredited program boasts a 91% first-time NCLEX pass rate. Grounded in a faith-based mission, it prepares students to serve as competent, ethical nurses in diverse healthcare settings.

CCNE, OSBN accredited
91% licensure pass rate
Prepares for NCLEX
Simulation clinic with patient actors
Clinical experiences in acute care and community settings
Acute care, cardiology, emergency careers
Prepares for graduate education
Accredited since 2008
Licensure eligibility in all 50 states
Cultivates exceptional clinicians and leaders

Portland Community College

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

Associate - Nursing AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

Portland Community College's Nursing AAS program prepares you for entry-level registered nurse positions in diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum combines pre-program requirements in anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, math, psychology, and writing with core nursing courses covering foundations of health promotion, chronic illness, acute care, pharmacology, and pathophysiological processes. You'll develop skills in intravenous therapy, medication administration, physical assessments, sterile techniques, and clinical judgment. The program culminates in an integrative practicum. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and have achieved over a 95% pass rate. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. With a 20.5% projected employment growth in the Portland area and an average RN salary of $106,086, this program offers a strong career pathway. The full-time, campus-based program at the Sylvania Campus takes two years and requires 108 credits. Financial aid is available.

ACEN accredited
2-Year program
108 total credit hours
95% licensure pass rate
$106,086 median earnings
RNs earn from $39.40 to $64.43 per hour
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
20.5% employment growth in Portland area

Oregon Health & Science University

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

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

OHSU's three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program offers a direct path to a rewarding nursing career. You'll complete 180 credits, blending nursing coursework with prerequisites and general education. The curriculum covers health assessment, pharmacology, and patient care across diverse clinical settings, with hands-on experience in simulation labs and placements arranged by OHSU. Learn from top faculty at Oregon's only academic health center, benefiting from a low student-faculty ratio and a supportive cohort model. Graduates are prepared for roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health, with a BSN unlocking higher salaries and more job opportunities. The program is offered at five campuses statewide—Portland, Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande, and Monmouth—each providing a full campus experience. Scholarships, including $6,000 for regional campus students, help make this high-quality education accessible. CCNE accreditation ensures excellence in nursing education.

CCNE accredited
$442 per credit
3-Year program
Complete in Graduate in just three years
180 total credit hours
Cohort-based structure
3.0 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Financial aid available
Scholarships available

Sumner College

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

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

Sumner College's BSN program offers a streamlined path to registered nursing with no prerequisites required. The hybrid format combines online classes, on-campus skills labs, and clinical rotations at partner sites, fostering hands-on learning. Over 12 terms, students develop strong clinical judgment and patient care skills, preparing for the NCLEX-RN. Small class sizes and a 97% retention rate reflect a supportive environment. Graduates find careers at leading Oregon hospitals like PeaceHealth and Providence. With rolling enrollment and new cohorts every 10 weeks, you can start in fall, winter, spring, or summer. Tuition is $510 per credit, and scholarships are available. This CCNE-accredited program equips students for a rewarding nursing career.

CCNE accredited
Entrance exam required
Exams: TEAS
$510 per credit
32-Month program
Rolling admissions
Starts fall/winter/spring/summer
Cohort-based structure
Prepares for NCLEX
Financial aid available

Clackamas Community College

Oregon City, OR - Public 2-Year - clackamas.edu

Associate - Nursing (RN), AAS

Campus Based - Visit Website

Clackamas Community College's Nursing (RN) Associate of Applied Science degree prepares students for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and a career as a registered nurse. The 2-year, 107-credit program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experience in settings like hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and outpatient clinics. Students develop skills in ethical practice, critical thinking, patient communication, and evidence-based care. The curriculum covers health promotion, chronic illness management, acute care, and end-of-life care. As part of the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), the program collaborates with OHSU and other partners. Graduates enjoy a 96.5% first-time NCLEX pass rate and above-average job growth. With low tuition and financial aid available, this limited-entry program accepts 30-36 students each fall.

ACEN accredited
$14,347 total program tuition
2-Year program
107 total credit hours
Starts fall
97% licensure pass rate
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX
Military benefits accepted
Financial aid available

*Original data: IPEDS 2025, NCES, U.S. Department of Education.

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

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

Looking for a way to advance a nursing career? This list of RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs highlights schools across the country. Each entry includes location, key program features, and a direct link to learn more. Use this table to compare options and find the right fit for professional goals. Explore the possibilities and take the next step toward higher education and leadership roles in nursing.

Portland, OR

Sumner College

RN to BSN - RN to BSN Program
Online Learning - Website
- 13-month accelerated program
- $180 per credit tuition
- Total program cost $14,660
- CCNE-accredited program
- Online learning format
- Active RN license required
- Rolling admissions policy
- Classes start every 10 weeks

Warner Pacific University

RN to BSN - RN to BSN Degree Completion Program
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Accelerated cohort-based format
- Designed for working professionals
- 40 semester credit curriculum
- 2.0 minimum GPA required
- Current RN license required
- C- or higher required
- 120 total credits required
- Specific prerequisite courses

*Source: IPEDS 2025 postsecondary education data, NCES.

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

List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Portland

Portland offers a range of advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) programs. The table below lists MSN, DNP, and NP options from local schools. Each entry includes the city and state, program highlights, and a link to the official program page. Use this overview to compare curriculum, clinical requirements, and other key details. This makes it easier to find a program that matches your career goals.