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Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region

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2023 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region

323 Colleges
$50,283 Avg Salary
$17,412 Avg Student Debt

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 2023 rankings named University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences the best school in the Far Western US Region for health professions students. USAHS is a moderately-sized private for-profit school located in the large suburb of San Marcos.

Full Health Professions at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Report

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Stanford University is a great place for health professions students. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Health Professions at Stanford University

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies is a great place for health professions students. West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Full Health Professions at West Coast University-Center for Graduate Studies Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Samuel Merritt University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region 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.

Full Health Professions at Samuel Merritt University Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. 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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#6

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA

With a ranking of #6, Stanbridge University did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Located in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge is a private for-profit college 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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#7

Blake Austin College

Vacaville, CA

Blake Austin College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. 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.

Read full report on Health Professions at Blake Austin College

#8

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Unitek College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. 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.

Read full report on Health Professions at Unitek College

With a ranking of #9, University of Western States did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Western States Chiropractic College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large 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 came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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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With a ranking of #11, Pacific College of Health and Science did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. 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.

Full Health Professions at Pacific College of Health and Science Report

Western University of Health Sciences landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best health professions programs. Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Western University of Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school 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 very large public school located in the medium-sized 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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With a ranking of #14, University of Puget Sound did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Tacoma.

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Touro University California ranked #15 on this year’s Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region list. TUC is a small private not-for-profit school located in the medium-sized 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 did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health professions students. It came in at #16 on the 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.

Full Health Professions at Oregon Health & Science University Report

With a ranking of #17, University of Southern California did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Located in the city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly 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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With a ranking of #18, Butte County Regional Occupational Program did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Butte County ROP is a fairly 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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#19

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA

With a ranking of #19, University of the Pacific did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Located in the city of Stockton, Pacific is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

After completing their degree, health professions graduates from Pacific carry an average student debtload of $24,741.

Full Health Professions at University of the Pacific Report

#20

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. 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.

Read full report on Health Professions at Loma Linda University

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.

Full Health Professions at Roseman University of Health Sciences Report

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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With a ranking of #23, Dominican University of California did quite well on this year’s best schools for health professions students. Located in the small 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.

Full Health Professions at Dominican University of California Report

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCLA is a very 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.

Full Health Professions at University of California - Los Angeles Report

#25

California Career Institute

Garden Grove, CA

California Career Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for health professions students. It came in at #25 on the list. 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.

Read full report on Health Professions at California Career Institute

Rest of the Top Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Region

#26

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA
#27

Casa Loma College

Van Nuys, CA
#28

Pacific University

Forest Grove, OR
#29

Merced College

Merced, CA
#30

Gonzaga University

Spokane, WA
#31

Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR
#32

University of Portland

Portland, OR
#34

Touro University Nevada

Henderson, NV
#35

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, CA
#36

University of Redlands

Redlands, CA
#37

Mendocino College

Ukiah, CA
#39

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA
#40

Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA
#43

Canada College

Redwood City, CA
#44

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA
#45

Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA
#47

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#48

Sumner College

Portland, OR

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

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.

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