Walla Walla University

The School of Nursing at Walla Walla University (WWU), a private, non-profit, Seventh Day Adventist institution founded in 1892, first began as a diploma program in 1897 operated by the Portland Sanitarium and Hospital (now Adventist Medical Center). In 1949, the School of Nursing became a part of Walla Walla College which in 2007 became Walla Walla University.  

The School of Nursing at Walla Walla University is a four-year program that leads to bachelor's degrees with a major in nursing. There are two campus locations: College Place, WA and Portland, OR. The first two years are taken at the College Place campus and is a combination of general studies, nursing cognates, and nursing courses. The final two years are taken on the WWU nursing campus in Portland, Oregon, where students combine classroom work with practical (clinical) experience. 

Academic Nursing Programs

The undergraduate program consists of three tracks of study that end with the Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing.

Traditional BS in Nursing

The Traditional BS in Nursing is a typical college BS degree that offers the freshman prerequisites and the sophomore nursing courses completed at the College Place campus. The last two years are at the Portland campus.

Admission (not all inclusive)

GPA: 2.75 or greater

Applicants must have 42 quarter credit hours of prerequisite coursework completed prior to acceptance to the sophomore level nursing courses.

Transfer BS in Nursing: College Place Start

This program offers the sophomore nursing courses beginning each fall at the College Place campus with the last two years on the Portland campus.

Admission (not all inclusive)

GPA: 2.75 or greater

Applicants must have 42 quarter credit hours of prerequisite coursework completed prior to acceptance to the sophomore level nursing courses

Transfer BS in Nursing

Portland Start is a more intensive program that offers the sophomore nursing courses in a Summer intensive at the Portland campus and the last two years at a less intensive pace on the Portland campus.

Admission (not all inclusive)

• GPA: 3.25 or greater (cumulative, college-level, non-vocational)
• Typically, the student accepted has A's and B's in Anatomy & Physiology, Chemistry, and Microbiology
• Prerequisites must be completed to be eligible for the Portland transfer BS in Nursing track

Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science (RN to BS)

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Current unencumbered RN Oregon license
• Official college transcripts to WWU
• Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above; includes college level class work only
• Grades from vocational schools are not included in GPA calculation
• Prerequisite courses from regionally accredited university or community college
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• Complete WWU School of Nursing pre-admissions testing

Licensed Practical Nurse to Bachelor of Science (LPN to BS)

Admission (not all inclusive)

• Current, unencumbered LPN license in any state
• Proof of passing standardized LPN validation exam score
• Cumulative GPA of at least 2.75; includes college level class work only-from all regionally accredited colleges attended
• Grades from vocational courses are not included in the GPA calculation
• No grades of C- or below in prior nursing courses or cognate courses
• Prerequisites from regionally accredited university or community college
• Completed at least 85 transferrable credits of required cognates, general studies and electives that apply to the nursing major
• Clinical experience in direct patient care equivalent to the current beginning junior nursing students in the program
• Pass standardized examination

Frequently Asked Questions

Accreditation and Approval

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accredited Walla Walla University.

The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited the Nursing programs at WWU.

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited Walla Walla University Nursing programs.

The Washington State Nursing Commission and the Oregon State Board for Nursing approved the nursing program.

Rankings and Listings

US News & World Report (2019)

• #44 (tie) in Regional Universities West
• #47 in Best Value Schools

College Factual (2019)

• Top 10% Best Value for Western US
• Top 10% Overall Diversity Nationwide
• #11 Best Colleges for the Money in Washington
• #333 Overall Best Colleges for the Money nationwide

NICHE (2019)

In 2018, nurse.org listed Walla Walla University School of Nursing in the Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Washington state.

Format & Tuition of Available Program

•  
  Format
  Tuition
  Score
• RN to BSN
  On-Campus
  $36,680
  4.1 /5
• Traditional BSN
  On-Campus
  $121,961
  4.2 /5