2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.
To assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Nursing Degree Search has created its Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Our analysis looked at 108 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. To come up with a school's ranking, we analyzed numerous factors related to post-graduation wages, the quality of education offered by the school, average accumulated student debt, and more.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Merced College the best school in the Far Western US Region for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they attend Merced Community College District full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,444. Associate Degree recipients from Merced Community College District accumulate an average of $10,503 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Columbia Gorge Community College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Full-time students from Oregon pay an average of $4,752 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Columbia Gorge Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,468. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,392 in student loans.
Columbia Gorge Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Modesto Junior College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MJC is $1,274. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,550. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,121 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that MJC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 84% took at least some of their classes online.
Out of the 108 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific Union College landed the # 4 spot on the list.
The average tuition and fees at PUC is $32,103. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,513 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at PUC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 95% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Butte College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Butte College is $1,368. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,848. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,685 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average tuition and fees at MSMU is $45,388. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,268 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MSMU. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
San Joaquin Delta College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,761 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Delta. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Cabrillo College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list.
Students from California who attend Cabrillo College full time pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,630.
Cabrillo College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cuesta College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,338. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,702. On average, associate degree students take out $10,466 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 96% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
West Hills College-Lemoore came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,643 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Yuba College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they attend Yuba College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,488. Associate Degree recipients from Yuba College accumulate an average of $9,195 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Yuba College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 39% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #12, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,328 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,952. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,716 in student loans.
SRJC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #13, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Students from California who attend SBCC full time pay an average of $1,232 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,459 in student loans.
SBCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 59% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #14, Ventura College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ventura College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,398. On average, associate degree students take out $14,425 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Ventura College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Oregon Coast Community College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Oregon Coast Community College is $5,148. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,072. On average, associate degree students take out $26,642 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Oregon Coast Community College. In fact, around 76% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mt. SAC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,032. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,559 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mt. SAC. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Sacramento City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Sacramento City accumulate an average of $14,875 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sacramento City. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fresno City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,304 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Fresno City College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,504. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,252 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Fresno City College. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
College of the Sequoias came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Sequoias. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,338. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,085 in student loans.
College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Riverside City College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees if they attend Riverside City College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,120. Associate Degree recipients from Riverside City College accumulate an average of $10,247 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Riverside City College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.
American River College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list.
Associate Degree recipients from American River accumulate an average of $14,093 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since American River does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
Highline College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Highline is $4,344. Out-of-state students pay an average of $4,813. Associate Degree recipients from Highline accumulate an average of $14,827 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Highline does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list.
Students from California who attend College of the Canyons full time pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,682. On average, associate degree students take out $13,439 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at College of the Canyons. In 2019-2020 about 55% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Mendocino College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mendocino College is $1,423. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,443. Associate Degree recipients from Mendocino College accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Mendocino College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 98% took at least some of their classes online.
Glendale Community College ranked #25 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
In-state students pay an average of $1,171 in tuition and fees if they attend GCC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,531. On average, associate degree students take out $14,878 in loans while pursuing their degree.
GCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 58% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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