Find Nursing Colleges

What Do You Want to Study?

Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region

Find Schools Near

2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region

246 Colleges
$85,367 Avg Salary
$31,834 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Nursing School for You

In 2021-2022, 319,502 degrees and certificates were awarded to nursing students, making the major the most popular in the country.

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. 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, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This report analyzed 246 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones were the most popular programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Nursing program at each school on the list.

The colleges and universities below are the most popular for nursing majors pursuing a .

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 $34,858 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $742, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at West Coast University - Orange County

#2

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Coast University - Los Angeles. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of North Hollywood, West Coast University - Los Angeles is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Nursing majors at West Coast University - Los Angeles take out an average of $34,858 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $742, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

The excellent programs at Samuel Merritt University helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Far Western US Region . 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 $100,511 in student loans while working on their egree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $601, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read More…

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 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 $34,145 in student loans while working on their degree. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $742, 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 suburb of Azusa.

On average, nursing graduates from Azusa Pacific take out $43,250 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $312.

Read More…

#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

With a ranking of #6, University of San Francisco did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. Located in the city of San Francisco, USFCA is a private not-for-profit college with a medium-sized student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at USFCA accumulate an average of around $72,607 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $737, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of San Francisco

#7

United States University

San Diego, CA

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

Nursing majors at USU take out an average of $46,254 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at United States University 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 $39,134 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $223.

Read full report on Nursing at Washington State University

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.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of around $31,403 in student debt.

Read More…

With a ranking of #10, Oregon Health & Science University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. OHSU is a small public school located in the city of Portland.

On average, nursing graduates from OHSU take out $60,355 in student loans while working on their degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $249.

Read More…

#11

National University

San Diego, CA

With a ranking of #11, National University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students. National University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of San Diego.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at National University accumulate an average of around $66,521 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $294.

Read full report on Nursing at National University

California State University - Long Beach landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular nursing programs. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Long Beach.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at CSULB accumulate an average of around $23,622 in student debt.

Full Nursing at California State University - Long Beach Report

#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 moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Henderson.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at NSC take out is $22,827.

Full Nursing at Nevada State College Report

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 large suburb of San Marcos, CSUSM is a public school with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from CSUSM take out $42,123 in student loans while working on their degree.

Read full report on Nursing at California State University - San Marcos

California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, nursing majors at Sac State accumulate an average of around $17,927 in student debt.

Full Nursing at California State University - Sacramento Report

#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 large city of Seattle, Seattle U is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at Seattle U take out is $64,611. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $886.

Full Nursing at Seattle University Report

Roseman University of Health Sciences came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing 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.

Nursing majors at Roseman University of Health Sciences take out an average of $25,000 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 $603.

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.

Nursing majors at CSUDH take out an average of $16,750 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Nursing at California State University - Dominguez Hills Report

University of Washington - Seattle Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public college with a fairly large student population.

On average, nursing graduates from UW Seattle take out $23,126 in student loans while working on their degree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $226.

Full Nursing at University of Washington - Seattle Campus Report

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

While working on their degree, nursing majors at UNLV accumulate an average of around $27,121 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 $237.

Read More…

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

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at UCLA take out is $46,644.

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

#22

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

San Diego State University ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in the city of San Diego, SDSU is a public school with a very large student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at SDSU take out is $17,375. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $393, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at San Diego State University

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in the suburb of Los Angeles, CDU is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population.

The average amount in student loans that nursing majors at CDU take out is $88,375.

Full Nursing at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science Report

California State University - Los Angeles 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 city of Los Angeles, Cal State LA is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Nursing majors at Cal State LA take out an average of $16,500 in student loans while working on their egree.

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

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #25 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. 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 $30,250. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $588, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Nursing at University of Nevada - Reno

#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 Ontario, 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 schools for a specific state in the Far Western US region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 3,851
California 18,329
Nevada 2,015
Alaska 177
Hawaii 535
Oregon 1,502

Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Registered Nursing 262,974
Family Practice Nurse/Nursing 16,647
Nursing Practice 8,862
Nursing Administration 8,663
Other Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing 4,717
Nursing Science 4,701
Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing 2,895
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing 2,075
Public Health/Community Nurse/Nursing 2,011
Nurse Anesthetist 1,768
Critical Care Nursing 747
Geriatric Nurse/Nursing 622
Nurse Midwife/Nursing Midwifery 567
School Nursing 539
Clinical Nurse Leader 502
Clinical Nurse Specialist 340
Perioperative/Operating Room and Surgical Nurse/Nursing 269
Women’s Health Nurse/Nursing 262
Maternal/Child Health and Neonatal Nurse/Nursing 192
Emergency Room/Trauma Nursing 87
Occupational and Environmental Health Nursing 26
Forensic Nursing 23
Palliative Care Nursing 13

Majors Similar to Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 85,339

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.

Find Nursing Schools Near You

Our free matching tool for schools matches students with nursing schools across the U.S.