Six accredited programs in Oregon can put you on the path to NCLEX-RN eligibility and licensure. They range from 12-month accelerated tracks to three-year programs, with tuition generally falling between $9,000 and $13,000 depending on the school and format.
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Which RN programs should Oregon students compare first?
Six Oregon RN options cover associate, bachelor, and accelerated pathways into NCLEX-RN eligibility. The table below ranks them by total cost. Click a name to jump to the detailed write-up.
| Program | Length | Tuition | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland Community College — Nursing Associate Degree | 2 yr | $9,000–$13,000 | NCLEX-RN prep |
| Chemeketa Community College — Associate of Applied Science in Nursing | 2 yr | $10,000–$15,000 | NCLEX-RN prep |
| Lane Community College — Nursing Associate of Applied Science | 2 yr | $10,000–$15,000 | NCLEX-RN prep |
| Linfield University — Traditional BSN | 2 yr | $54,000–$62,000 | NCLEX-RN prep |
| Linfield University — Accelerated BSN | 12 mo | $60,000–$70,000 | NCLEX-RN prep |
| Oregon Health & Science University — B.S. with a Major in Nursing | 3 yr | $62,823–$97,140 | NCLEX-RN prep |
Portland Community College — Nursing Associate Degree
- Cost:
- $9,000–$13,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Hybrid
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; ACEN candidate/OCNE-aligned curriculum
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
PCC is the lower-cost Portland-area RN path, with an associate degree designed to prepare graduates for entry-level RN licensure. It is best for students who want community-college pricing, OCNE-style progression, and clinical placements near the Portland metro.
View program at Portland Community College →Chemeketa Community College — Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
- Cost:
- $10,000–$15,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Hybrid
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; OCNE partner school
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Chemeketa gives Salem-area students a community-college nursing path with OCNE transfer continuity. It is a practical fit if you want to start near home and keep the door open to a BSN-completion pathway.
View program at Chemeketa Community College →Lane Community College — Nursing Associate of Applied Science
- Cost:
- $10,000–$15,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Hybrid
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; OCNE partner school
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Lane is the Eugene-area community-college RN route and a better geographic fit than commuting to Portland or Salem. Compare it if you want local clinical relationships and an associate-degree path before BSN completion.
View program at Lane Community College →Linfield University — Traditional BSN
- Cost:
- $54,000–$62,000
- Length:
- 2 yr
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
Linfield's Portland nursing campus offers a four-semester BSN sequence after prerequisites. It fits students who want a private-school BSN with simulation, clinical training, and direct preparation for NCLEX-RN.
View program at Linfield University →Linfield University — Accelerated BSN
- Cost:
- $60,000–$70,000
- Length:
- 12 mo
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; CCNE-accredited nursing program
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
The Linfield ABSN runs from June to June for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. It is the fastest Oregon BSN path in this set, but the pace and private-school price make it a serious full-time commitment.
View program at Linfield University →Oregon Health & Science University — B.S. with a Major in Nursing
- Cost:
- $62,823–$97,140
- Length:
- 3 yr
- Format:
- Campus-based
- Accreditation:
- Oregon State Board of Nursing approved; CCNE-accredited school of nursing
- Credential prep:
- NCLEX-RN
- FAFSA eligible:
- Yes
OHSU is the statewide public-university BSN option, with campuses in Portland and regional Oregon communities. Pick it if you want a bachelor-prepared RN route and can handle a higher tuition tier than a community college.
View program at Oregon Health & Science University →Which RN credential path should you choose?
RN programs differ by award level, but every pre-licensure path has to prepare you for NCLEX-RN and state licensure.
| Credential | Issuing body | Exam cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADN Associate Degree in Nursing | Community college | Varies by college | Fastest lower-cost route to NCLEX-RN eligibility and entry-level RN work. |
| BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing | University | Varies by university | Students targeting hospitals that prefer bachelor-prepared nurses or future graduate study. |
| ABSN Accelerated BSN | University | Varies by university | Career changers who already hold a bachelor degree and can handle an intensive schedule. |
| NCLEX-RN National Council Licensure Examination | NCSBN | $200 exam fee | Required licensure exam after graduation from a board-approved RN program. |
Credential and accreditation sources: NCSBN, AACN, and ACEN.
How much do RN programs cost in Oregon?
RN program costs in Oregon range from roughly $9,000 to over $97,000 depending on whether you attend a community college or a research university, and whether you pursue an associate or bachelor's degree.
The gap comes down to degree level, institutional type, and accreditation body. Community colleges with state subsidies sit at the low end; CCNE-accredited university BSN programs sit at the high end.
| Tier | Tuition range | What you get | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon community college ADN | $9,000–$13,000 | Tuition covers NCLEX-RN preparation, Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved curriculum, and FAFSA eligibility at an OCNE-aligned or ACEN-candidate institution. | Portland Community College |
| Oregon community college ADN mid-range | $10,000–$15,000 | Tuition covers NCLEX-RN preparation, Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved curriculum, and FAFSA eligibility at an OCNE partner institution. | Chemeketa Community College |
| Private university traditional BSN | $54,000–$70,000 | Tuition covers NCLEX-RN preparation, FAFSA eligibility, and enrollment in a CCNE-accredited four-year or accelerated bachelor's program with clinical placements. | Linfield University |
| Public research university BSN | $62,823–$97,140 | Tuition covers NCLEX-RN preparation, FAFSA eligibility, and enrollment in a CCNE-accredited program at Oregon's flagship academic medical institution. | Oregon Health & Science University |
How do you become a registered nurse in Oregon?
- 1
Choose ADN, BSN, or accelerated BSN
education2-4 weeks · $0 (research only)
Oregon accepts three entry paths to RN licensure: a 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or an accelerated BSN for applicants who already hold a non-nursing bachelor's degree. Spend a few weeks comparing Oregon's 6 approved programs across cost, schedule, and format before committing.
- 2
Complete a board-approved nursing program
training licensing16 mo to 4 yr · Varies by program
Enroll in and complete an Oregon State Board of Nursing-approved program, which runs roughly 16 months for accelerated options or up to 4 years for a traditional BSN. Clinical rotations are built into every program and must be finished before you can sit for licensure.
- 3
Pass NCLEX-RN and apply for state licensure
career1-3 months · $200+ state fees
After graduating, register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE and submit your licensure application to the Oregon State Board of Nursing, which charges state fees of $200 or more. Most candidates receive their results within a few days of testing and can expect the full process to wrap up within 1 to 3 months.
Do you need a license to work as a registered nurse in Oregon?
Oregon registered nurses must hold a valid RN license issued by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The board requires graduation from an approved pre-licensure program before you can sit for the licensing exam or submit a state application. The credential that unlocks everything else is the NCLEX-RN, and your program's board-approval status determines whether you're eligible to take it. Here's what Oregon employers are actually listing as requirements in their current openings.
What is the Oregon job market like for registered nurses?
We pulled the most recent registered nurse postings open to Oregon residents from Indeed, employer career sites, and relevant professional job boards. The numbers below summarize roughly 3,820 postings from the last 90 days; the three sample postings further down are representative examples we analyzed to figure out what employers actually require.
Top-level findings: median posted pay is $112,600, 3% of roles are remote or remote-eligible, and the largest employers hiring right now include Providence, Oregon Health & Science University, Kaiser Permanente.
Sources: posting count from Indeed; median salary from BLS OEWS 29-1141.
Sample postings analyzed below
All three postings require an active Oregon Registered Nurse license and current Basic Life Support certification as non-negotiable minimums. OHSU also lists ACLS as expected for emergency roles. Beyond credentials, every posting names the same core competencies: nursing assessment, care planning, medication administration, documentation in the electronic medical record, and patient and family education.
The language in the postings gives a clear picture of the performance bar. OHSU asks nurses to handle "rapid changes in patient condition" and work within "an academic medical center" coordinating with "an interdisciplinary team." Kaiser frames the stakes plainly, expecting nurses to use "professional judgment to escalate changes in patient status."
All three positions are bedside and onsite, consistent with the 3% remote rate across the broader Oregon market. Two of the three are Portland metro, one in Clackamas. The roles span medical-surgical and emergency settings, but the skill floor is identical: acute care experience, solid documentation habits, and comfort with interdisciplinary collaboration. None of the postings are entry-level in practice, even where they don't state a minimum year requirement.
If you're choosing a nursing program, prioritize one that builds acute care clinical hours and gets you ACLS-eligible before graduation.
FAQ
Can I work full-time while enrolled in any of these programs?
None of these programs are designed for full-time workers. The accelerated Linfield BSN compresses coursework into 12 months, and even the 2-year associate programs at Portland Community College, Chemeketa, and Lane carry clinical requirements that make full-time employment very difficult.
Do these programs accept FAFSA?
Yes, all six programs accept FAFSA, including the community college options starting at $9,000 and the OHSU program that can reach $97,140.
Will an out-of-state program count for Oregon employers?
Oregon employers hire based on passing the NCLEX-RN, not the specific school. Every program listed leads to the NCLEX-RN, so graduates from any accredited out-of-state program who pass that exam are equally eligible.
How long until I can sit for the NCLEX-RN exam?
The fastest path is Linfield's Accelerated BSN at 12 months. The associate degree programs at Portland Community College, Chemeketa, and Lane take 2 years, the Traditional Linfield BSN also takes 2 years, and OHSU's program takes 3 years before you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.