2023 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region
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. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
The Most Popular Healthcare 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. Our analysis looked at 546 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs were the most popular for healthcare students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named University of Southern California the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for healthcare students working on their degree. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 1,950 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,661 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $489. Once they receive their degree, USC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,044 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a great place for healthcare students. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school handed out 1,845 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UW Seattle accumulate an average of $18,284 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $303, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW Seattle graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,782 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Read full report on University of Washington - Seattle Campus
The programs at Unitek College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular healthcare schools in the Far Western US Region . Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in Fremont, California that handed out 1,758 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,947 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $130 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Unitek College graduates make an average of $49,641 annually. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 546 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, West Coast University - Orange County landed the # 4 spot on the list. This small private for-profit school is located in Anaheim, California, and it awarded 1,596 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from West Coast University - Orange County accumulate an average of $35,896 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $639, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, West Coast University - Orange County graduates make an average of $79,576 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in San Marcos, California that handed out 1,515 degrees in 2020-2021.
Once they receive their degree, USAHS graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,345 during the early year of their career. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is located in San Mateo, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,454 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,438 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $118. During the early years of their career, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts graduates make an average of $52,087 annually. Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.
Loma Linda University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Loma Linda, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,446 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Loma Linda University accumulate an average of $27,492 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $416.After graduating from Loma Linda University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $77,096 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 67% were women.
National University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 1,319 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $31,362 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $198, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from National University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,580 during the early years of their career. Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #9, Sierra College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Sierra College is a fairly large public school located in Rocklin, California that handed out 1,203 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Sierra College accumulate an average of $16,268 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Northridge came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Northridge, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,194 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from CSUN accumulate an average of $18,166 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CSUN graduates make an average of $44,924 annually. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Read full report on California State University - Northridge
Northwest Career College landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Northwest Career College is a private for-profit institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,173 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,718 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $55, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northwest Career College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $23,983 during the early year of their career. Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1,124 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $17,931 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $191, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Cal State Fullerton, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,875 during the early years of their career. Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.
California State University - Long Beach came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 1,033 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,702 in student loans.After graduating from CSULB, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,445 during the early years of their career. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #15, Charter College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. Charter College is a small private for-profit school located in Vancouver, Washington that handed out 1,007 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,228 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Charter College graduates make an average of $35,122 annually. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
Oregon Health & Science University ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region list. OHSU is a small public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 989 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from OHSU accumulate an average of $33,079 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $332. During the early years of their career, OHSU graduates make an average of $95,327 annually. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
College of Southern Nevada landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the large public school awarded 948 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,327 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CSN graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,877 during the early year of their career. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
American Career College - Los Angeles came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 947 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,684 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $126, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, American Career College - Los Angeles graduates make an average of $37,752 annually. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #19 on the list. Carrington College, Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 937 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $22,403 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $94 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Carrington College, Sacramento graduates make an average of $39,519 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
University of California - San Francisco landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Located in San Francisco, California, the small public school handed out 934 degrees in 2020-2021.
During the early years of their career, UCSF graduates make an average of $86,882 annually. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Nevada - Reno ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large public school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 882 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,835 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $322. During the early years of their career, UNR graduates make an average of $43,406 annually. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
Samuel Merritt University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for healthcare students. It came in at #22 on the list. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Oakland, California that handed out 918 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Samuel Merritt University accumulate an average of $28,570 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $551 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Samuel Merritt University graduates make an average of $96,872 annually. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #23, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for healthcare students working. This large public school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 863 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from SDSU accumulate an average of $18,150 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $251, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, SDSU graduates make an average of $45,826 annually. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
University of California - Irvine landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular healthcare programs. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 832 students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from UC Irvine accumulate an average of $16,722 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $209. During the early years of their career, UC Irvine graduates make an average of $44,120 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
California State University - East Bay came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Hayward, California, and it awarded 815 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,301 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $176. Once they receive their degree, Cal State East Bay graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,422 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.
Rest of the Top 50 Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region
Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Healthcare Schools in the Far Western US Region
To learn more about the schools below, just click on their names:
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular healthcare schools ranking:
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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