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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

With 322,592 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, nursing is the #3 most popular major in the United States.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 246 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

Check out the nursing programs at these schools if you want to attend one of the most popular in the Far Western US Region .

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 large city of Anaheim.

Nursing majors at West Coast University - Orange County take out an average of $38,146 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County Report

#2

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

Out of the 246 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, West Coast University - Los Angeles landed the # 2 spot on the 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.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at West Coast University - Los Angeles take out is $38,146. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based 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, Samuel Merritt University landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the large city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

Nursing majors at Samuel Merritt University take out an average of $25,500 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $551.

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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend West Coast University - Ontario. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the midsize city of Ontario, West Coast University - Ontario is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

On average, nursing graduates from West Coast University - Ontario take out $38,146 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $665, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at West Coast University - Ontario

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Azusa Pacific University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Azusa Pacific is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Azusa.

Nursing majors at Azusa Pacific take out an average of $26,740 in student loans while working on their egree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $246, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at Azusa Pacific University

#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit school with a large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from USFCA carry an average student debt load of $27,000. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $639.

Read full report on Nursing at University of San Francisco

#7

United States University

San Diego, CA

United States University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #7 on the list. USU is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.

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California State University - Fullerton came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton.

On average, nursing graduates from Cal State Fullerton take out $18,607 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at California State University - Fullerton Report

Washington State University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Wazzu is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman.

Nursing majors at Wazzu take out an average of $23,500 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $202.

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

On average, nursing graduates from OHSU take out $31,651 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $332.

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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 large student population.

Nursing majors at National University take out an average of $37,500 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.

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With a ranking of #12, California State University - Long Beach did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. CSULB is a very large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CSULB take out is $16,575.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - Long Beach

#13

Nevada State College

Henderson, NV

Nevada State College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. NSC is a medium-sized public school located in the rural area of Henderson.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at NSC take out is $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 college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CSUSM take out is $25,000.

Full Nursing at California State University - San Marcos Report

With a ranking of #15, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public school with a very large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Sac State take out $18,574 in student loans while working on their degree.

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#16

Seattle University

Seattle, WA

With a ranking of #16, Seattle University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle U is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Seattle U accumulate an average of around $26,000 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 $722.

Read full report on Nursing at Seattle University

Roseman University of Health Sciences ranked #17 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Roseman University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Henderson.

On average, nursing graduates from Roseman University of Health Sciences take out $27,448 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $566.

Read full report on Nursing at Roseman University of Health Sciences

With a ranking of #18, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. CSUDH is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Carson.

On average, nursing graduates from CSUDH take out $17,500 in student loans while working on their degree.

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University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

After completing their degree, nursing graduates from UW Seattle carry an average student debt load of $18,723. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $234, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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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 very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas.

On average, nursing graduates from UNLV take out $17,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $203.

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University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #21 on the list. UCLA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

Nursing majors at UCLA take out an average of $19,210 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Nursing at University of California - Los Angeles

#22

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for nursing students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SDSU take out is $19,448. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $250.

Read full report on Nursing at San Diego State University

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 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 fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from Cal State LA take out $18,131 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Nursing at California State University - Los Angeles Report

With a ranking of #25, University of Nevada - Reno did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the large city of Reno, UNR is a public college with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UNR take out is $21,625. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $397.

Full Nursing at University of Nevada - Reno Report

#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 Glendale Community College Glendale, CA
39 University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK
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
California 18,329
Washington 3,851
Oregon 1,502
Nevada 2,015
Hawaii 535
Alaska 177

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

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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