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Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region

246 Colleges
$85,206 Avg Salary
$22,066 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

Nursing is the most popular major in the United States with 26,717 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021.

With all the healthcare programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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.

Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Healthcare Degree Search has created the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 246 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 Nursing program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Nursing Colleges.

Our analysis found West Coast University - Orange County to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a degree in the Far Western US Region . West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim.

On average, nursing graduates from West Coast University - Orange County take out $38,146 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $665, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County Report

#2

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend West Coast University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large city of North Hollywood, West Coast University - Los Angeles is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from West Coast University - Los Angeles carry an average student debt load of $38,146. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $665, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at West Coast University - Los Angeles

Out of the 246 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Samuel Merritt University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Samuel Merritt University take out $25,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $551.

Full Nursing at Samuel Merritt University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Coast University - Ontario. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Ontario, West Coast University - Ontario is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at West Coast University - Ontario take out is $38,146. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $665, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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Out of the 246 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Azusa Pacific University landed the # 5 spot on the list. Azusa Pacific is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Azusa.

On average, nursing graduates from Azusa Pacific take out $26,740 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $246.

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#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at USFCA accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $639.

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#7

United States University

San Diego, CA

United States University ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. USU is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego.

Read full report on Nursing at United States University

Washington State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Wazzu is a fairly large public school located in the distant town of Pullman.

On average, nursing graduates from Wazzu take out $23,500 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $202.

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With a ranking of #8, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Fullerton.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Cal State Fullerton take out is $18,607.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Fullerton

Oregon Health & Science University ranked #10 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. OHSU is a small public school located in the large city of Portland.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at OHSU take out is $31,651. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $332, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#11

National University

La Jolla, CA

With a ranking of #11, National University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of La Jolla, National University is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from National University take out $37,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $198.

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California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSULB is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from CSULB carry an average student debt load of $16,575.

Full Nursing at California State University - Long Beach Report

#13

Nevada State College

Henderson, NV

Nevada State College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. NSC is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Henderson.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from NSC carry an average student debt load of $27,747.

Read full report on Nursing at Nevada State College

California State University - San Marcos came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from CSUSM carry an average student debt load of $25,000.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - San Marcos

California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Sac State take out is $18,574.

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#16

Seattle University

Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle U is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

Nursing majors at Seattle U take out an average of $26,000 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $722.

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Roseman University of Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #17 on the list. Roseman University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Henderson.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Roseman University of Health Sciences take out is $27,448. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $566, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at Roseman University of Health Sciences Report

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. CSUDH is a large public school located in the city of Carson.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CSUDH take out is $17,500.

Full Nursing at California State University - Dominguez Hills Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UW Seattle accumulate an average of around $18,723 in student debt. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $234.

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University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. UNLV is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Las Vegas.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UNLV take out is $17,500. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $203, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCLA is a very large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

On average, nursing graduates from UCLA take out $19,210 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles Report

#22

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large city of San Diego, SDSU is a public school with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from SDSU carry an average student debt load of $19,448. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $250.

Full Nursing at San Diego State University Report

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the suburb of Los Angeles, CDU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

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With a ranking of #23, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Cal State LA take out is $18,131.

Read More…

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the city of Reno, UNR is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UNR carry an average student debt load of $21,625. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $397.

Read More…

#27

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA
#28

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA
#29

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#29

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA
#32

Fresno City College

Fresno, CA
#34

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV
#35

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

Honorable Mentions

Here are some additional popular schools for Nursing students in the Far Western US Region that almost earned our Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region award.

Rank College Location
37 University of Phoenix - California Costa Mesa, CA
38 Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CA
39 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
39 Glendale Community College Glendale, CA
41 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
42 University of Washington - Bothell Campus Bothell, WA
43 California State University - Fresno Fresno, CA
43 Carrington College, Reno Reno, NV
45 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
46 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
47 University of San Diego San Diego, CA
48 Pacific Union College Angwin, CA
49 Seattle Central College Seattle, WA

Best Nursing Colleges by State

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

State Degrees Awarded
Oregon 1,502
California 18,329
Washington 3,851
Nevada 2,015
Hawaii 535
Alaska 177

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

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 266,651
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,104
Nursing Administration 9,838
Nursing Practice 7,992
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 5,092
Nursing Science 4,600
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,287
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,021
Nurse Anesthetist 1,936
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 1,883
Critical Care Nursing 773
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 563
School Nursing 553
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 509
Clinical Nurse Leader 444
Clinical Nurse Specialist 419
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 331
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 181
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 57
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 53
Palliative Care Nursing 14
Forensic Nursing 14

Related Major Annual Graduates
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Aleksahgabrielle.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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