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Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region

165 Colleges
$40,989 Avg Salary
$16,762 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants School for You

In 2021-2022, 85,339 practical nursing & nursing assistants students received a degree or certificate, making the major the #2 most popular in the country.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for nursing students. 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.

The Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 165 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants program at each school on the list.

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

#1

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Unitek College the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Fremont.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Unitek College accumulate an average of around $14,567 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $226, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

Out of the 165 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts landed the # 2 spot on the list. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of San Mateo.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out is $17,548. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $181, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#3

College of Southern Nevada

Las Vegas, NV

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means College of Southern Nevada is a great place for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public school with a very large student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of Southern Nevada Report

#4

Summit College

San Bernardino, CA

The excellent programs at Summit College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools in the Far Western US Region . Located in the midsize city of San Bernardino, Summit College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Summit College take out is $17,492. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $157.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Summit College

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Institute of Technology. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large suburb of Clovis, Fresno Institute of Technology is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Fresno Institute of Technology accumulate an average of around $16,719 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Institute of Technology Report

American Career College - Ontario came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Ontario, American Career College - Ontario is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at American Career College - Ontario take out an average of $17,200 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $228.

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Carrington College, Sacramento landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College, Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Carrington College, Sacramento carry an average student debt load of $18,158. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $203, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento Report

American Career College - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. American Career College - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from American Career College - Los Angeles carry an average student debt load of $17,200. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $238.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at American Career College - Los Angeles Report

#9

Sumner College

Portland, OR

Sumner College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in the large city of Portland, Sumner College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from Sumner College carry an average student debt load of $16,322. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $159, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sumner College

#10

Healthcare Career College

Paramount, CA

With a ranking of #10, Healthcare Career College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Healthcare Career College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Paramount.

Practical Nursing majors at Healthcare Career College take out an average of $20,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Healthcare Career College

#11

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, CA

College of the Sequoias came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the midsize city of Visalia, College of the Sequoias is a public school with a large student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Sequoias

#12

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #12 on the list. Riverside City College is a large public school located in the city of Riverside.

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American Career College - Anaheim did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the large city of Anaheim, American Career College - Anaheim is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at American Career College - Anaheim take out an average of $17,200 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $238.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at American Career College - Anaheim Report

Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Truckee Meadows Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the large city of Reno.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Truckee Meadows Community College

#15

High Desert Medical College

Lancaster, CA

High Desert Medical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the large suburb of Lancaster, High Desert Medical College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at High Desert Medical College take out is $17,567. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $116.

Read More…

#16

Homestead Schools

Torrance, CA

With a ranking of #16, Homestead Schools did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Located in the midsize city of Torrance, Homestead Schools is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Homestead Schools take out is $18,040.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Homestead Schools

#17

Stanbridge University

Irvine, CA

Stanbridge University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the city of Irvine, Stanbridge is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Stanbridge take out is $19,996. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $170.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Stanbridge University

With a ranking of #18, Concorde Career College - North Hollywood did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Concorde Career College - North Hollywood is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of North Hollywood.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Concorde Career College - North Hollywood take out $17,179 in student loans while working on their degree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $179.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Concorde Career College - North Hollywood Report

#19

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a public school with a large student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Allan Hancock College Report

With a ranking of #20, Concorde Career College - San Diego did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Located in the city of San Diego, Concorde Career College - San Diego is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

While working on their degree, practical nursing majors at Concorde Career College - San Diego accumulate an average of around $17,179 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $219.

Read More…

California Nurses Educational Institute ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California Nurses Educational Institute is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Palm Springs.

After completing their degree, practical nursing graduates from California Nurses Educational Institute carry an average student debt load of $20,000. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $120, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

#22

Angeles College

Los Angeles, CA

Angeles College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Angeles College is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Practical Nursing majors at Angeles College take out an average of $20,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Angeles College Report

#23

Western Nevada College

Carson City, NV

With a ranking of #23, Western Nevada College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. Located in the city of Carson City, WNC is a public college with a small student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Western Nevada College Report

#23

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for practical nursing & nursing assistants students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa, SRJC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College

Honorable Mentions

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

Rank College Location
25 Concorde Career College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA
26 Unitek College Hayward, CA
26 Concorde Career College - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
28 Clovis Adult Education Clovis, CA
29 Institute of Technology Salem, OR
30 Unitek College South San Francisco, CA
31 Great Basin College Elko, NV
32 Career Care Institute Lancaster, CA
33 North-West College - West Covina West Covina, CA

Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges by State

Explore the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools for a specific state in the Far Western US region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 113
California 1,055
Nevada 0

Practical Nursing Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 45,031
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 35,655
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,653

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 319,502

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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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