Best RN Programs in Oregon: 7 BSN Programs Ranked for 2026
The best RN programs in Oregon span a wide range of cost, size, and mission, from the state's public academic medical flagship at OHSU to nationally recognized private programs in Portland and McMinnville. This ranking scores 7 Oregon BSN programs on the Hakia Score, a composite built from graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and labor-market outcomes using IPEDS and BLS data. No pay-to-play, no self-reported rankings, no reputation surveys.
Cost is the sharpest dividing line in this field. In-state tuition across the ranked programs runs from $15,624 at Oregon Health and Science University to $56,800 at the University of Portland. If you are looking for the strongest value among public options, OHSU at $15,624 is the benchmark. Private programs cluster between $35,500 and $56,800 and often justify that gap with smaller cohorts and specific program tracks. The average graduation rate across all 7 ranked programs is 68%, but individual programs range from 49% to 83%, which is the kind of variance that should factor into your decision before tuition does.
Each section below covers what Oregon RN programs cost and what the degree returns in the labor market, how licensure through the NCLEX-RN works, why accreditation from CCNE or ACEN is non-negotiable, the honest tradeoffs between ADN and BSN pathways, what online and accelerated options actually look like in Oregon, and how RN salary and job outlook stack up nationally. The ranked program profiles follow with specifics on each school's tracks, admission profile, and Hakia Score breakdown.
Key Takeaways on the Best RN Programs in Oregon
- Seven Oregon BSN programs ranked; in-state tuition runs from $15,624 (OHSU) to $56,800 (University of Portland).
- The average graduation rate across ranked Oregon RN programs is 68%, with individual programs ranging from 49% to 83%.
- OHSU leads on value among public programs at $15,624 in-state tuition with a Hakia Score of 81.
- The University of Portland earns the top Hakia Score of 81.4 and posts an 80% graduation rate.
- Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 per year, according to BLS wage data.
- All 7 ranked Oregon nursing programs hold CCNE or ACEN accreditation, the two credentials that determine NCLEX eligibility and graduate-program access.
Each program in this ranking receives a Hakia Score built from four factors: graduation rate, selectivity (admit rate), cost-effectiveness (in-state tuition), and outcomes context drawn from IPEDS institutional data and BLS OEWS labor-market figures. No school pays for placement. No reputation surveys. Scores are scaled to 100 and updated annually as new IPEDS data is released.
The 7 Best RN Programs in Oregon, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of PortlandPortland, OR | nonprofit | $56,800 | 80% | 89% | 81.4 |
| 2 | Oregon Health & Science UniversityPortland, OR | Public | $15,624 | — | — | 81.0 |
| 3 | Linfield UniversityMcMinnville, OR | nonprofit | $50,324 | 70% | 85% | 78.0 |
| 4 | George Fox UniversityNewberg, OR | nonprofit | $40,600 | 72% | 94% | 77.3 |
| 5 | Bushnell UniversityEugene, OR | nonprofit | $35,500 | 56% | 67% | 76.4 |
| 6 | Sumner CollegePortland, OR · online option | for-profit | — | 83% | 89% | 75.0 |
| 7 | Warner Pacific UniversityPortland, OR | nonprofit | $21,260 | 49% | 71% | 72.6 |
How the Top RN Programs in Oregon Compare
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
The Top RN Programs in Oregon, Reviewed in Depth
University of Portland
Portland, OR · nonprofit
UP's BSN class averages just 18 students, and the school reports a 98%+ NCLEX first-time pass rate for 2024.
- 98%+ NCLEX pass rate (2024, school-reported)
- 18-student average class size
- 80% graduation rate
- Hakia Score 81.4, #1 in Oregon
University of Portland's CCNE-accredited BSN runs as a four-year traditional program open to first-year and transfer students, including students already enrolled at UP in a non-nursing major. The curriculum is built around a concept-based model organized into five "trifecta" course clusters that pair classroom didactic work, clinical reasoning seminars, and professional practice rotations. Clinical placements use the Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) model, a partnership with local health systems that embeds students directly into patient care teams. The Simulated Health Center on campus includes high-fidelity manikins, acute care suites, telehealth provider stations, and a simulated apartment for community-based scenarios.
UP is a private nonprofit, and tuition runs $56,800 per year with no in-state/out-of-state difference. The 80% graduation rate and 89% admit rate put it in an accessible-but-selective range: most applicants gain entry, but a meaningful share do not finish. The Hakia Score of 81.4 places it first among Oregon BSN programs in this ranking. The school reports a #1 Oregon nursing ranking from Niche.com, though that figure is Niche's own methodology, not an independent audit. For students who can absorb the private-school cost, the small cohort size and DEU clinical model are the clearest differentiators.
Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. UP students also have access to nursing-specific financial aid partnerships tied to Oregon's nursing shortage, which is worth exploring before comparing sticker prices.
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, OR · Public
Oregon's only academic health center BSN costs $442 per credit for in-state students and delivers a degree in three years across five Oregon campuses.
- $15,624 in-state annual tuition
- 3-year BSN path to licensure
- Five Oregon campus locations
- Hakia Score 81.0, #2 in Oregon
Oregon Health and Science University offers a three-year BSN through its School of Nursing, with campuses in Portland, Ashland, Klamath Falls, La Grande, and Monmouth. The program partners with host universities at each regional site: Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Western Oregon University in Monmouth, and Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Students at every location take the same OHSU curriculum, taught by OHSU faculty, and receive an OHSU degree. OHSU arranges all clinical placements, which span multiple sites and patient populations. The program requires 180 quarter credits, including 93 nursing credits and 28 prerequisite quarter credits completed before enrollment, with a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisites.
OHSU is the only option on this list with a meaningful tuition gap by residency: $442 per credit for Oregon residents versus $811 for non-residents, which works out to roughly $15,624 in-state versus $28,656 out-of-state annually. For Oregon residents comparing public and private options, that gap against UP's $56,800 flat rate is substantial. The Hakia Score of 81.0 ranks it second in Oregon. Admit rate and graduation rate figures were not available for public reporting. OHSU also offers a $6,000 scholarship for new BSN students enrolling at its four regional campuses, reducing cost further for students outside Portland.
The three-year timeline is a real tradeoff: it compresses the path to licensure and salary entry, but the accelerated schedule is demanding. OHSU explicitly notes the cohort model keeps students with the same peers for all three years, which functions as both an academic and social support structure. National median RN pay is $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS.
Linfield University
McMinnville, OR · nonprofit
Linfield offers both a traditional BSN and an accelerated ABSN for career-changers, with fall and spring entry points for the traditional track.
- Traditional BSN plus ABSN for degree-holders
- Fall and spring entry available
- CCNE-accredited both tracks
- Hakia Score 78.0, #3 in Oregon
Linfield University runs two distinct CCNE-accredited pathways under its School of Nursing. The traditional BSN admits students in both fall and spring semesters, spans four 15-week semesters, and is designed for students coming directly from high school or transferring without a prior degree. The Accelerated BSN (ABSN) targets people who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field; it runs June to June in 10-week accelerated semesters and leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility. Linfield also offers a master's entry into professional nursing (MEPN) option for degree-holders who want to enter nursing at the graduate level. The curriculum across both tracks emphasizes evidence-based practice, simulation, virtual reality, and clinical reasoning across the lifespan, with a stated focus on social justice and care for underrepresented populations.
As a private nonprofit in McMinnville, Linfield charges $50,324 per year with no residency differential. The 70% graduation rate is the lowest among the four programs ranked here, and the 85% admit rate makes it slightly more selective than UP or George Fox. The Hakia Score of 78.0 ranks it third in Oregon. Those graduation numbers are worth weighing against the cost: one in three students who enroll does not graduate, which matters both financially and logistically for anyone planning a career timeline. The ABSN option partially offsets that concern for career-changers who arrive with a completed degree and clearer professional focus.
Linfield's alumni data, cited by the school, shows top career paths including Staff Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, and Critical Care RN. National RN median pay is $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS; the $85,300 and $96,800 wage estimates shown on Linfield's own site reflect its alumni outcomes methodology, not BLS data.
George Fox University
Newberg, OR · nonprofit
George Fox reports a 91% three-year average NCLEX first-time pass rate and guarantees at least 800 clinical hours across six distinct placement settings.
- 91% NCLEX first-time pass rate (3-year avg, school-reported)
- 800-1,000 clinical hours across 6 setting types
- $40,600 flat tuition (no residency surcharge)
- Hakia Score 77.3, #4 in Oregon
George Fox University in Newberg offers a CCNE-accredited BSN through its four-year traditional program, approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The program is explicitly Christian in orientation, integrating whole-person care and compassion as stated curriculum values alongside clinical training. Students complete at least 800 to 1,000 clinical hours across six different placement types, including hospitals, community clinics, home health, hospice, local schools, and correctional facilities. The program operates on a small cohort model with peer mentoring built in, and runs interprofessional education exercises twice per year, pairing nursing students with other health profession students for collaborative case work. George Fox launched a Nurse Anesthesia DNP in 2025, extending the school's graduate-level nursing offerings.
At $40,600 per year flat (no residency difference), George Fox sits between OHSU's in-state rate and Linfield's or UP's private-school pricing. The 72% graduation rate and 94% admit rate mean nearly all applicants are accepted, but completion is not guaranteed. The Hakia Score of 77.3 ranks it fourth among these Oregon programs. George Fox's page notes recognition as a US News and World Report "Best Undergraduate" nursing program; that designation reflects US News's methodology and is not independently verified here. The 91% NCLEX first-time pass rate (three-year average) is the most specific outcomes figure the program publishes, and it is meaningfully higher than the national average tracked by NCSBN.
The faith-based mission is a real differentiator: students who want that environment will find it fully integrated, not incidental. Students who do not will likely find OHSU, UP, or Linfield a better fit. National RN median pay is $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS.
Bushnell University
Eugene, OR · nonprofit
Bushnell's 12-month ABSN reported 100% NCLEX first-time pass rates in 2022, 2023, and 2024, with a 93.85% program completion rate as of February 2025.
- 100% NCLEX first-time pass rate (2022, 2023, 2024)
- 93.85% ABSN program completion rate (Feb. 2025)
- 12-month accelerated format, two cohorts per year
- CCNE-accredited BSN program
Bushnell University's College of Health Professions in Eugene offers a single accelerated path to the BSN: a 12-month, 44-credit Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) delivered entirely on-site. The program runs two cohorts per year (August and January starts) and requires no prior nursing coursework, only completion of science and general education prerequisites. Clinical rotations span acute care hospitals, clinics, specialty hospitals, and community-based settings, with assigned sites up to 75 miles from campus. The program is accredited by CCNE, and Bushnell reports 100% NCLEX first-time pass rates for 2022, 2023, and 2024, along with a 93.85% completion rate as of February 2025. The school attributes a NCLEX-RN preparation focus to its evidence-based curriculum and small cohort structure. The ABSN is affiliated with Bushnell's broader baccalaureate nursing program, which holds CCNE accreditation.
At $1,225 per credit for 44 credits, the total program cost sits around $53,900 in tuition, which aligns with the listed $35,500 institutional tuition figure (room, board, and fees add materially per semester). Bushnell is a small private nonprofit with 761 total students and a 67% admit rate, meaning most qualified applicants gain entry, but cohort caps keep class sizes tight. The Hakia Score of 76.4 reflects solid outcomes data relative to cost at this price point. This program suits career-changers who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want the fastest route to RN licensure in Oregon. The faith-integrated environment is part of daily campus life, though Bushnell states no faith commitment is required to apply or enroll.
Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year according to BLS OEWS data. Bushnell's 56% graduation rate across the full institution is below average, but the ABSN program's own reported 93.85% completion rate tells a more program-specific story. Prospective students should confirm current cohort completion data directly with admissions.
Sumner College
Portland, OR · for-profit · online option
Sumner College is the only BSN program in Oregon and Washington that embeds prerequisites into the curriculum, letting applicants start without prior college science coursework.
- 83% graduation rate
- No prerequisite coursework required before applying
- BSN in under 3 years, two Oregon campus locations
- CCNE-accredited program
Sumner College in Portland (with a second campus in Bend) offers a BSN completable in under three years via a 12-term program that is unique in Oregon: it requires no prerequisite coursework before applying. Instead of front-loading anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and chemistry as admission barriers, Sumner embeds those courses inside its own curriculum. Students who have completed college-level coursework elsewhere can transfer up to 25% of credits, potentially cutting tuition. The program holds CCNE accreditation and is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. Institutional accreditation comes from ABHES, a U.S. Department of Education-recognized national accrediting body. Campuses are at 8338 NE Alderwood Rd in Portland and 960 SW Disk Drive in Bend. Sumner describes its student body as primarily working adults, and the program is designed around work-life balance for that population.
Sumner's numbers are notable at this rank: an 83% graduation rate and an 89% admit rate make it both accessible and sticky once enrolled, which is an uncommon combination. With 532 enrolled students, it is a mid-size school for a private for-profit. No in-state/out-of-state tuition split is listed because Oregon residency does not affect pricing here. The Hakia Score of 75.0 reflects the strong graduation rate tempered by the for-profit control designation and the national accreditor rather than a regional one. This program fits students who lack prerequisite science courses and want to start immediately, working adults who need scheduling flexibility, and applicants who have been turned away elsewhere due to prerequisite gaps.
Registered nurses nationally earn a median of $97,550 per year per BLS OEWS. Sumner's 50-plus-year operating history in Portland and its referral-driven enrollment suggest reasonable community standing, though prospective students should verify current NCLEX pass rates directly with the school before enrolling, as the scraped page does not publish them.
Warner Pacific University
Portland, OR · nonprofit
Warner Pacific University's four-semester BSN sets a concrete target of over 90% RN licensure for all test-takers in a calendar year, with $21,260 flat tuition regardless of residency.
- $21,260 flat tuition, no out-of-state premium
- Published 90%+ RN licensure rate target
- CCNE-accredited four-semester BSN
- 71% admit rate with small cohort structure
Warner Pacific University in Portland offers a traditional four-semester, in-person BSN designed for undergraduate students. The program is accredited by CCNE and follows Oregon State Board of Nursing licensure requirements. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA or higher across all prior college coursework and on prerequisite science courses, a nursing application essay focused on diversity, documentation of healthcare experience, and two professional references. Prerequisites include two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology with lab, Chemistry with lab, college-level Math, General Psychology, Sociology, and Life-Span Development. Science prerequisites must have been completed within the past seven years. The curriculum spans medical-surgical nursing, maternal and neonatal health, pediatrics, community health, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and leadership, with coursework integrating equity, diversity, and evidence-based practice throughout.
Warner Pacific publishes specific program outcome targets: GPA above 3.0, program satisfaction above 90%, RN licensure rate above 90% for all test-takers in a calendar year, and employment in any capacity at 12 months post-graduation above 90%. These are stated goals, not verified outcomes, and prospective students should ask for the most recent published results. Tuition is $21,260 regardless of residency, which is considerably lower than Bushnell's ABSN cost and the lowest published figure among these three programs. With a 71% admit rate and 378 enrolled students, Warner Pacific is small and selective enough to keep cohorts manageable. The Hakia Score of 72.6 reflects a 49% institutional graduation rate, which is the weakest figure in this group and warrants a direct question to admissions about nursing-program-specific retention.
The faith context at Warner Pacific is Christian-mission-rooted with a stated emphasis on diversity and multicultural competency, and the diversity essay is a required part of the nursing application. BLS data shows the national RN median at $97,550 annually. For students who want an affordable private-school BSN in Portland with clear outcome benchmarks and a campus-based experience, Warner Pacific is the lowest-cost option in this set, though the overall institutional graduation rate is a genuine tradeoff to weigh.
What RN Programs in Oregon Cost (and What the Degree Returns)
Oregon RN programs cover a wider cost range than most prospective students expect. Public programs, led by OHSU at $15,624 in-state tuition, represent the most direct path to an affordable BSN. Private nonprofit programs run from $21,260 at Warner Pacific University up to $56,800 at the University of Portland. That $41,000 gap in tuition is a real number, and it compounds across four years of full-time study.
The degree itself pays back regardless of which accredited program you attend. BLS projects 6% growth for registered nurses through 2033, and the national median wage sits at $97,550 per year. Oregon's job market for RNs, anchored by OHSU Health, PeaceHealth, Providence, and Legacy Health, consistently tracks above the national median due to cost of living and high regional demand. That wage applies to RNs who graduated from a $15,000 public program the same as it does to graduates of a $56,000 private one, so cost efficiency at the entry point is a genuine financial advantage.
When comparing nursing programs, look beyond published tuition to fees, clinical-supply costs, and whether the program requires relocation for clinical rotations. Some Oregon RN programs embed clinical placements near major metro hospitals; others send students to rural partner sites that may require temporary housing. These secondary costs can add $5,000 to $15,000 per year on top of base tuition and deserve the same scrutiny as the sticker price.
NCLEX-RN Licensure: What Passing Means for Oregon RN Graduates
Every graduate of an accredited nursing program in Oregon must pass the NCLEX-RN before practicing as a registered nurse. The exam is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and uses computerized adaptive testing, meaning the number of questions you see adjusts based on your performance. Oregon's State Board of Nursing processes licensure applications after NCLEX passage.
NCLEX pass rates vary meaningfully across RN programs, and that variation matters when you are choosing where to enroll. A program with a 75% first-attempt pass rate is graduating a quarter of its class into a retake process that delays licensure by months and signals a gap between what the curriculum taught and what the exam tests. When you are comparing Oregon nursing programs, ask specifically for the first-attempt NCLEX pass rate for the most recent graduating cohort, not a rolling multi-year figure. Strong programs post rates at or above 90%.
The NCLEX-RN changed format in 2023 with the introduction of Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), which places greater emphasis on clinical judgment rather than rote recall. Programs that have updated their simulation labs and case-based curriculum to reflect NGN demands are better positioned to send graduates into that exam prepared. Ask admissions whether the program has formally revised its curriculum since the NGN rollout.
CCNE vs ACEN: Why Accreditation Determines Your Options
The two bodies that accredit BSN nursing programs in the United States are CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the accrediting arm of the AACN) and ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). Both are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. CCNE accreditation is most common among four-year BSN programs at colleges and universities. ACEN accreditation covers a broader range of nursing programs including ADN, diploma, and BSN.
Accreditation is not a formality. Without it, your degree may not qualify you to sit for specialty certification exams after licensure, may not be accepted by graduate nursing programs if you later pursue an MSN or DNP, and may not qualify for federal financial aid. All seven programs in this ranking are accredited, but the distinction between CCNE and ACEN matters if you are planning to pursue a specific graduate path. Most CCNE-accredited universities look favorably on BSN graduates from other CCNE programs, while some MSN programs specify which accrediting body they recognize for admission.
Accreditation status also tells you something about institutional commitment. A nursing program that has maintained continuous CCNE or ACEN accreditation for a decade or more has been through multiple review cycles and has demonstrated sustained curriculum quality. A newly accredited program may be excellent, but it has less of a track record to evaluate. When you are comparing nursing programs in Oregon, check when each program was first accredited and when its next review is scheduled.
ADN vs BSN: The Honest Tradeoff for Oregon Nursing Students
An ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) takes roughly two years and costs significantly less upfront than a BSN. Oregon community colleges offer ADN programs that allow graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and work as licensed registered nurses. If your priority is entering the workforce quickly with lower debt, the ADN is a legitimate path.
The tradeoff is real. Major Oregon hospital systems, including OHSU Health and PeaceHealth, increasingly require or strongly prefer BSN-prepared nurses for hiring and advancement. The Magnet Recognition Program, which designates hospitals with the highest nursing practice standards, requires 80% of its direct-care nursing staff to hold BSN degrees. Nurses hired as ADNs into these systems often find themselves completing an RN-to-BSN program within a few years of hire, which adds cost and time that erases much of the initial savings.
This ranking focuses on BSN RN programs because the BSN is where the long-term labor-market data is strongest and where Oregon employer demand is clearest. If you are considering the ADN route, factor in the cost and timeline of the subsequent RN-to-BSN bridge when comparing total program costs. Several Oregon universities, including OHSU and Linfield, offer RN-to-BSN completion pathways for working nurses, which can be an efficient second step after an ADN start.
Online RN Programs and Accelerated BSN Paths in Oregon
Online and hybrid RN programs have expanded access to nursing education for Oregon students who cannot relocate or attend full-time on campus. The nursing-specific caveat is that no online program can eliminate the clinical-hours requirement. Oregon's Board of Nursing requires a fixed number of supervised clinical hours for licensure eligibility, and those hours happen in person at approved clinical sites regardless of whether your coursework is delivered online.
What varies between programs is how clinical placements are arranged. Some Oregon nursing programs, particularly at OHSU, have established clinical partnership networks across the state. Others require students to identify and secure their own clinical sites, which can be a significant burden for students in rural counties or outside the Portland metro. If you are considering a hybrid or online nursing program, ask the admissions office whether the school arranges clinical placements for you or whether that responsibility falls on the student.
Accelerated BSN programs (ABSN) are a distinct category worth understanding. They are not online-only programs but rather compressed, intensive tracks designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree in another field. ABSN programs in Oregon typically run 12 to 18 months of full-time, often year-round study. They are academically demanding and not compatible with significant outside employment. The tradeoff is speed: an ABSN-prepared nurse can be licensed and working in 18 months from program start versus four years for a traditional BSN track. Several of the ranked Oregon nursing programs offer ABSN options alongside traditional tracks.
RN Salary and Job Outlook: National Context for Oregon Nursing Graduates
Registered nurses earn a national median of $97,550 per year, according to BLS OEWS data. That figure is a national field median, not a school-specific outcome, and it applies equally to graduates of every accredited nursing program. Oregon wages for RNs tend to run above the national median, particularly in the Portland metro where hospital competition for nurses is high and cost of living drives wage pressure.
The BLS projects 6% job growth for registered nurses through 2033, adding an estimated 177,400 positions nationally. Oregon mirrors this trajectory, with demand driven by an aging population in rural counties, expansion of community health systems, and ongoing turnover in acute-care settings. Hospital bedside nursing, ambulatory care, and community health represent the largest hiring sectors for new BSN graduates in Oregon.
What separates RN earnings over a career is not which accredited BSN program you attended but rather specialty, setting, shift differentials, and seniority. ICU and emergency nurses typically command higher hourly rates than general medical-surgical nurses. Nurses who pursue certifications in specific specialties, or who advance to nurse practitioner or CRNA roles through graduate programs, access a separate wage tier entirely. The BSN is the floor, not the ceiling, and the Oregon nursing programs in this ranking all provide a legitimate starting point for that progression.
RN Programs in Oregon: Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a BSN program in Oregon take to complete?
What is a good NCLEX-RN pass rate for RN programs?
Is an online BSN degree respected by employers?
What do RN programs in Oregon cost?
ADN or BSN: which should I pursue?
What accreditation should RN programs have?
What do registered nurses earn in Oregon?
Can I become an RN in Oregon with an online degree?
How We Rank RN Programs in Oregon
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many community colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: clinical placement quality, NCLEX pass rates, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.