2023 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region
Finding the Best Health Professions School for You
In 2020-2021, 977,800 health professions students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #2 most popular in the country.
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 323 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
2023 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region
The colleges and universities below are the best for health professions majors pursuing a .
Top 25 Top Far Western US Region Schools in Health Professions
Our analysis found University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences to be the best school for health professions students who want to pursue a degree in the Far Western US Region . USAHS is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of San Marcos.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.
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Out of the 323 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Samuel Merritt University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the city of Oakland, Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.
On average, health professions graduates from Samuel Merritt University take out $25,500 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $551.
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The excellent programs at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best health professions schools in the Far Western US Region . Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Mateo.
On average, health professions graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out $15,293 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $118, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Stanbridge University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. Located in the large city of Irvine, Stanbridge is a private for-profit school with a small student population.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Stanbridge carry an average student debtload of $28,848. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $226, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Blake Austin College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Blake Austin College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Vacaville.
While working on their degree, health professions majors at Blake Austin College accumulate an average of around $13,700 in student debt.
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Unitek College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health professions students. It came in at #8 on the list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Fremont.
On average, health professions graduates from Unitek College take out $16,126 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $141, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Western States did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health professions students. It came in at #9 on the list. Western States Chiropractic College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Portland.
The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Western States Chiropractic College take out is $13,327.
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Institute of Technology landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. Located in the midsize suburb of Salem, Institute of Technology is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Institute of Technology take out is $12,667. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $134.
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Pacific College of Health and Science landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. Pacific College San Diego is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Pacific College San Diego carry an average student debtload of $19,090.
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Western University of Health Sciences came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
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University of California - Berkeley did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health professions students. It came in at #13 on the list. UC Berkeley is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Berkeley.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from UC Berkeley carry an average student debtload of $11,875. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $304, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Puget Sound came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Tacoma.
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Touro University California came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. TUC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Vallejo.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from TUC carry an average student debtload of $16,982.
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Oregon Health & Science University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. OHSU is a small public school located in the large city of Portland.
While working on their degree, health professions majors at OHSU accumulate an average of around $31,651 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $332, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of Southern California ranked #17 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit college with a very large student population.
The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at USC take out is $23,375. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $831.
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Butte County Regional Occupational Program ranked #18 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Butte County ROP is a small public school located in the midsize city of Chico.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Butte County ROP carry an average student debtload of $8,000.
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University of the Pacific ranked #19 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of Stockton, Pacific is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Pacific carry an average student debtload of $24,741.
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Loma Linda University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Loma Linda University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Loma Linda.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Loma Linda University carry an average student debtload of $25,495. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $416, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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Roseman University of Health Sciences came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Roseman University of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Henderson.
On average, health professions graduates from Roseman University of Health Sciences take out $27,448 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $566, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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West Coast University - Orange County landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. West Coast University - Orange County is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim.
On average, health professions graduates from West Coast University - Orange County take out $36,823 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $639.
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Dominican University of California ranked #23 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of San Rafael, DUofC is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from DUofC carry an average student debtload of $28,094. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $636, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.
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University of California - Los Angeles landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. UCLA is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Los Angeles.
Health Professions majors at UCLA take out an average of $19,210 in student loans while working on their egree.
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California Career Institute came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the city of Garden Grove, California Career Institute is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
After completing their degree, health professions graduates from California Career Institute carry an average student debtload of $12,482.
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Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | California State University - San Marcos | San Marcos, CA |
| 50 | University of California - San Francisco | San Francisco, CA |
| 51 | North Seattle College | Seattle, WA |
| 52 | Biola University | La Mirada, CA |
| 53 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
| 54 | Vanguard University of Southern California | Costa Mesa, CA |
| 55 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA |
| 56 | Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA |
| 57 | California State University - Sacramento | Sacramento, CA |
| 58 | University of California - Davis | Davis, CA |
| 59 | National University | La Jolla, CA |
| 60 | University of Washington - Bothell Campus | Bothell, WA |
| 61 | Alaska Career College | Anchorage, AK |
| 62 | Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA |
| 63 | Glendale Career College - Brightwood-Teachout | San-Diego, CA |
| 64 | Heritage University | Toppenish, WA |
Best Health Professions Colleges by State
Explore the best health professions schools for a specific state in the Far Western US region.
| State | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|
| California | 54,872 |
| Washington | 10,021 |
| Oregon | 5,865 |
| Hawaii | 1,126 |
| Nevada | 4,207 |
| Alaska | 578 |
More Health Professions Rankings in the Far Western US Region
Rankings in Majors Related to Health Professions
Health Professions Majors to Study
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing | 322,592 |
| 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 |
| Health Sciences & Services | 35,945 |
| Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions | 29,833 |
| Mental & Social Health Services | 29,053 |
| Medicine | 28,629 |
| Dental Support Services | 26,399 |
| Communication Sciences | 22,298 |
| Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences | 20,393 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science | 18,901 |
| Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services | 10,751 |
| Health/Medical Prep Programs | 9,210 |
| Other Health Professions | 7,984 |
| Dentistry | 6,770 |
| Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services | 6,158 |
| Bioethics/Medical Ethics | 5,115 |
| Alternative Medicine & Systems | 3,564 |
| Chiropractic | 2,658 |
| Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies | 2,374 |
| Medical Illustration & Informatics | 2,089 |
| Optometry | 1,822 |
| Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences | 1,775 |
| Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services | 960 |
| Medical Science | 909 |
| Movement & Mind-Body Therapies | 294 |
| Alternative Medical Support Services | 227 |
| Energy & Biologically Based Therapies | 68 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- 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.