Find Healthcare Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region

165 Colleges
$41,012 Avg Salary
$17,391 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School for You

Out of all the majors we analyze each year, practical nursing and nursing assistants was ranked #21 in the country. In fact 84,274 degrees and certificates were handed out in 2020-2021.

There are so many healthcare programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

The Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Healthcare Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 165 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for practical nursing majors pursuing a .

#1

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Unitek College the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the large suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Unitek College accumulate an average of around $19,020 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $207, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a great place for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out an average of $17,317 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $152.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

#3

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend College of Southern Nevada. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. CSN is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Las Vegas.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of Southern Nevada

#4

Summit College

Colton, CA

Out of the 165 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Summit College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Colton, Summit College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Summit College carry an average student debt load of $17,496. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $119, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Summit College

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Institute of Technology. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Fresno Institute of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Clovis.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Fresno Institute of Technology carry an average student debt load of $16,719.

Read More…

American Career College - Ontario did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #6 on the list. American Career College - Ontario is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Ontario.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at American Career College - Ontario accumulate an average of around $17,200 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $194.

Read More…

Carrington College, Sacramento ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento.

Practical Nursing majors at Carrington College, Sacramento take out an average of $24,639 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento

American Career College - Los Angeles ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, American Career College - Los Angeles is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at American Career College - Los Angeles take out is $17,316. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $191.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at American Career College - Los Angeles Report

#9

Sumner College

Portland, OR

Sumner College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #9 on the list. Sumner College is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Portland.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Sumner College carry an average student debt load of $16,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $167.

Read More…

#10

Healthcare Career College

Paramount, CA

With a ranking of #10, Healthcare Career College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the large suburb of Paramount, Healthcare Career College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Healthcare Career College carry an average student debt load of $18,533.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Healthcare Career College Report

#11

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, CA

College of the Sequoias did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #11 on the list. College of the Sequoias is a large public school located in the city of Visalia.

Read More…

#12

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Riverside City College take out is $9,750.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Riverside City College Report

American Career College - Anaheim did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #13 on the list. American Career College - Anaheim is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from American Career College - Anaheim carry an average student debt load of $17,316. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $191.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at American Career College - Anaheim

With a ranking of #14, Truckee Meadows Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Located in the large city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

Read More…

#15

High Desert Medical College

Lancaster, CA

High Desert Medical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #15 on the list. High Desert Medical College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Lancaster.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from High Desert Medical College carry an average student debt load of $17,568.

Read More…

#16

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA

Homestead Schools landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Homestead Schools is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Torrance.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Homestead Schools take out $18,040 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Homestead Schools

#17

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA

Stanbridge University ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Stanbridge is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Irvine.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Stanbridge accumulate an average of around $20,000 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $176, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Stanbridge University

Concorde Career College - North Hollywood did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in the city of North Hollywood, Concorde Career College - North Hollywood is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Concorde Career College - North Hollywood take out $19,559 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $166.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Concorde Career College - North Hollywood Report

#19

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Allan Hancock College is a moderately-sized public school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Maria.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Allan Hancock College

With a ranking of #20, Concorde Career College - San Diego did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. Concorde Career College - San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Concorde Career College - San Diego carry an average student debt load of $17,179. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $197, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

California Nurses Educational Institute came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Palm Springs, California Nurses Educational Institute is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at California Nurses Educational Institute take out is $20,000. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $104.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at California Nurses Educational Institute Report

#22

Angeles College

Los Angeles, CA

Angeles College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Angeles College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Angeles College accumulate an average of around $20,000 in student debt.

Read More…

#23

Western Nevada College

Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College ranked #23 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. WNC is a small public school located in the city of Carson City.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Western Nevada College Report

#23

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students. It came in at #23 on the list. SRJC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Rosa.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College Report

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region award.

Rank College Location
25 Concorde Career College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA
26 Concorde Career College - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
26 Unitek College Hayward, CA
28 Clovis Adult Education Clovis, CA
29 Institute of Technology Salem, OR
30 Unitek College South San Francisco, CA
31 Great Basin College Elko, NV
32 Career Care Institute Lancaster, CA
33 North-West College - West Covina West Covina, CA

Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges by State

Explore the best practical nursing and nursing assistants colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US region.

State Degrees Awarded
California 1,055
Washington 113
Nevada 0

One of 30 majors within the healthcare area of study, practical nursing and nursing assistants has other similar majors worth exploring.

Practical Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 44,900
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 34,557
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,817

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Healthcare Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited healthcare schools across the U.S.