Nursing Schools in Portland, Oregon: Top Online & Campus Programs

CCC, a public institution with one of the top Portland nursing schools, is one of the largest community colleges in the state. Its Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree holds ACEN accreditation and boasts a 98.2% NCLEX pass rate. The school also offers affordable tuition rates at $111 (in-state) and $277 (out-of-state) per credit.

This AAS program follows a competency-based curriculum in collaboration with the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE). Over six terms, students complete 90-93 credits. Required classes include clinical pharmacology, chronic illness and end-of-life care, and pathophysiological processes. Students also complete two hands-on practicums and clinicals for graduation.

This in-person, two-year AAS program is competitive with a limited number of open spots each year. Students must first complete 30 credits of pre-nursing coursework, and applicants must receive a C or higher in these courses.

UP boasts a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program along with a BS in integrative health and wellness, a doctorate in nursing practice, and a healthcare management certificate.

The BSN program develops a strong foundation of knowledge in holistic generalist nursing care, social justice, evidence-based practice, and population health. BSN-seekers need 122 credit hours and 765 clinical hours to graduate. They complete clinical placements in-person with one of the school’s partners, which include the Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, West Hills Health and Rehab, and Providence Portland Medical Center. Full-time students complete this in-person program in four years and pay $24,712 per semester for 12 or more credits. Part-time students pay $1,548 per credit.

GFU is a private Christian school offering a BSN program with a 2020 NCLEX pass rate of 97.67%, the highest in the state. This in-person BSN program serves those looking for a Christian-centered education while developing nursing skills in areas like population health, adult health, maternal childcare, and nursing leadership. In addition to 40 hours of pre-nursing coursework, students complete 57 hours of nursing core classes like mental health nursing, evidence-based nursing, medical-surgical nursing, and leadership principles. They also complete 800-1,000 clinical hours in approved healthcare facilities – correctional facilities, local schools, clinics, and hospitals – around Portland.

GFU nursing students taking 12-18 credits per year pay $38,860. To offset the cost, students can obtain merit-based awards worth up to $20,000 per year.

CSP is a private institution offering an online Accelerated BSN for nursing students living in the Portland area. Students take didactic coursework online and complete in-person clinicals at approved healthcare facilities in Portland. The program reported a 92.31% first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2019.

This 16-month accelerated program features three starting dates per year, and students complete 61 credits over four semesters. Required classes include nursing informatics, leadership and management in nursing, and evidence-based practice. In addition to online, asynchronous classes, students also complete lab simulations online before competing in-person clinicals in areas like pediatrics, obstetrics, and community health.

Incoming students need at least 60 non-nursing college credits at the time they apply for this accelerated BNS program. The cost is $1,050 per credit for nursing courses and $420 per credit for pre-requisite and co-requisite tuition.

OHSU’s school of nursing offers an online RN to BSN completion program. Students can also take advantage of the school’s RN to BS to master’s programs with available concentrations in nursing education and health systems and organizational leadership. The school also offers DNP and PhD programs in nursing.

The RN to BSN online program accommodates both full-time and part-time learners and features a flexible, asynchronous format. All didactic learning is remote, coupled with in-person clinical training in-person in Portland. Students can also complete clinical training in Thailand during their winter terms. Tuition is about $13,000 for the program.

Linfield offers a 12-month, online RN to BSN with in-person labs and clinical training in Portland. The nursing program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Nursing students choose from a variety of electives in trauma-informed care, health disparities, palliative care, and nursing history. The program requires 86 credits total and a 2.0 or higher GPA in all nursing classes for graduation.

Applicants must have 2.75 or higher GPAs and unencumbered nursing licenses. Before gaining full acceptance to the nursing program, students must complete prerequisite classes with a C or higher. Prerequisite coursework includes writing, statistics, nutrition, behavioral sciences, and life sciences. Expect to pay about $22,700 per 12-18 credit hours.