Portland’s nursing school landscape is a mixed bag of surprises and disappointments. The rankings tell one story, but the reality hits different when you’re actually trying to get through these programs.
University of Portland sits pretty at #1 with its B+ grade and thousand-plus reviews. Sounds impressive until you check their NCLEX pass rates. In 2024, only 91 out of 225 students passed—that’s roughly 40%. For a program costing around $213,000, those numbers are brutal. The previous years weren’t much better, with 2022 hitting a dismal 33% pass rate. Ouch.
Meanwhile, Portland Community College is quietly crushing it. They ranked #1 nationally among 2,228 programs and maintain NCLEX pass rates above 90% over 15 years. In 2023, they hit a perfect 100%. Not bad for a community college that costs a fraction of private universities. The program is highly competitive with approximately 400 applicants annually competing for just 40 spots.
OHSU’s accelerated BSN program boasts a 95.45% NCLEX pass rate, which is stellar. But at $1,700 per credit hour for both in-state and out-of-state students, it’s not exactly budget-friendly. At least you’re paying for results.
Sumner College lands at #2 with its small classes and accelerated pace. Their 87% acceptance rate suggests they’re somewhat selective, though specific NCLEX data wasn’t available. The nursing job growth is projected at 15% over the next decade, making these programs increasingly vital.
Here’s the kicker—statewide ADN programs average 93.5% NCLEX pass rates, while BSN programs only hit 90.09%. So much for that four-year degree premium. The Portland metro average sits at 88.83%, which is actually below Eugene and Newberg. Not exactly bragging rights.
Most programs stick to on-campus formats, though University of Portland offers some hybrid graduate options. PCC emphasizes simulation tech and practical skills, while University of Portland partners with Providence Health for clinical placements. They even have an employment-guaranteed Providence Scholars Program. The school maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that provides personalized attention and support throughout the program.
The accreditation game varies too. University of Portland holds CCNE accreditation, while PCC goes with ACEN. Both work fine for licensing purposes.
Bottom line? Rankings don’t always match outcomes. Sometimes the community college route makes more sense than the prestigious private university path.
