Washington’s accelerated second degree nursing programs run from 12 to 16 months, with total costs ranging from approximately $53,720 to $75,450. Both programs are CCNE-accredited and managed by established research universities.
Read on to see how they differ significantly in format, admissions structure, and prerequisite requirements.
Program Comparison Table
| School | Length | Format | Cost | GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University of Washington Seattle | 12 mos | Fully in-person | $54K | 2.8 cumulative; 3.0 per prereq; 3.0 Natural Sciences GPA |
Pacific Lutheran University Lywnwood | 16 mos | Hybrid (online theory + on-campus labs) | $76K | 3.0 cumulative; B- minimum per prereq |
How to Choose the Right Program for You
TLDR: Quick Selection Guide
Choose University of Washington if you hold a completed bachelor’s degree, want to accelerate nursing completion in the shortest timeline available in Washington (12 months), prefer fully in-person instruction, and want access to the UW Medicine clinical network and over $700,000 in annual student funding.
Choose Pacific Lutheran University if you have 60+ college credits but not a completed bachelor’s degree, need flexible entry points throughout the year, prefer a hybrid format with online theory delivery, or want a smaller cohort environment with a dedicated admissions representative from day one.
Fastest ABSN Program in Washington
The University of Washington ABSN is the fastest second degree nursing program in Washington state at 12 months across four consecutive quarters.
Pacific Lutheran University runs 16 months across four semesters in a hybrid format.
Most Affordable Program
University of Washington is the more affordable option at approximately $53,720 total — a flat per-quarter rate that applies equally to Washington residents and out-of-state students.
Pacific Lutheran University totals approximately $75,450 in tuition and program fees across 68 nursing credit hours.
Prerequisite Course Patterns
Both Washington ABSN programs require the same foundational science core:
- Human Anatomy and Physiology (I and II)
- Microbiology with a lab component
- Statistics course.
Both also require a Lifespan Development or Growth and Development course, and both require Nutrition.
UW adds Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry to its Natural Sciences requirement list, bringing its total to a minimum of six Natural Sciences courses (28 quarter credit hours) — a heavier science load than PLU’s seven-course prerequisite set.
UW also requires a minimum 3.0 in every individual science course and a 3.0 cumulative Natural Sciences GPA calculated across all completed science coursework, with at least three Natural Sciences courses completed (not in progress) at the time of application.
PLU requires a minimum B- in every prerequisite and imposes a 6-year recency limit on its four science courses — a distinction that affects applicants returning to school after a gap.
Start Dates and Cohort Availability
| School | Start Dates | Starts Per Year | Admissions Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
Spring, Autumn | 2 | Fixed deadline | |
February, June, September | 3 | Rolling |
Schools with spring or fall starts: The University of Washington offers two fixed entry points per year — Spring and Autumn. Applications follow a defined deadline cycle tied to each cohort, and acceptance to UW’s post-baccalaureate program must be secured separately from School of Nursing admission.
Schools with year-round start dates: Pacific Lutheran University offers three annual start dates — February, June, and September — giving applicants the most scheduling flexibility of any ABSN program in Washington state.
Rolling vs. fixed admissions: PLU uses rolling admissions, meaning complete applications are reviewed as submitted and decisions are issued within weeks rather than after a closing deadline. UW operates on fixed admissions cycles tied to each cohort’s start quarter.
Clinical Training Structure
Both Washington programs deliver 600+ hours of hands-on clinical training and fully manage clinical placement on behalf of students — no self-sourcing required at either school. That said, the networks, intensity progression, and preceptorship structures differ in ways that matter for career-focused applicants.
Total clinical hours: Both PLU and UW report 600+ hours of patient care across the full program. UW’s final-quarter Transition to Clinical Practice practicum (NCLIN 411) carries 7 credits — the single largest clinical block in either program. PLU’s clinical credit load increases each semester: 3 credits in Semester 1, 5 in Semester 2, 5 in Semester 3, and 6 in Semester 4.
Guaranteed placements: PLU’s Office of Clinical Affairs coordinates all placements at Seattle-area healthcare facilities. UW’s Office of Clinical Placements manages all site coordination through the UW Medicine health system and the Clinical Placement Northwest Consortium. Students at both programs can expect assigned placements rather than self-arranged rotations.
Clinical networks: UW’s primary clinical partner is UW Medicine — one of the nation’s leading academic health systems — supplemented by the Clinical Placement Northwest Consortium and community health partners across the Seattle metro. PLU rotates students through Seattle-area healthcare facilities with a consistent student-to-instructor ratio of 8:1.
Simulation infrastructure: UW’s Simulation Center holds the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement, a nationally recognized designation covering prebriefing, facilitation, professional integrity, and debriefing. PLU operates a dedicated simulation facility in Lynnwood with high-fidelity full-body manikins and clinical task trainers; faculty observe from an adjacent control room and conduct structured debriefings after each scenario.
ABSN Program Summaries
Pacific Lutheran University ABSN Program
Lynwood | $76,000 | 16 Months
Pacific Lutheran University offers a 16-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program in Lynnwood, Washington, designed for students with at least 60 non-nursing college credits or a bachelor’s degree. The program blends online coursework, in-person labs, and clinical rotations to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN and professional nursing practice. Accredited by the CCNE, the ABSN program admits students three times a year and emphasizes leadership, patient care, and interprofessional collaboration... read more.
University of Washington ABSN Program
Seattle | $53,720 | 12 Months
The University of Washington's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is a rigorous, 12-month, full-time pathway designed for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. Located in Seattle, WA, this program combines over 1,000 hours of hands-on patient care with advanced coursework in areas like health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and community health nursing. Fully accredited, the program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam and successful careers in various healthcare settings. With tuition around $50,000, financial aid and support services are available to help students navigate their educational journey... read more.