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 analysis found Merced College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in the Far Western US Region . This fairly large public school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 1,615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Merced Community College District is $1,194. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,890.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Columbia Gorge Community College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Columbia Gorge Community College is a public institution located in The Dalles, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 154 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from Oregon who attend Columbia Gorge Community College full time pay an average of $5,472 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,008. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,352 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Columbia Gorge Community 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 51% took at least some of their classes online.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Modesto Junior College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Modesto, California, and it awarded 2,385 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,276 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MJC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,308.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MJC. In 2020-2021 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. PUC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Angwin, California. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 103 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,678 to cover tuition and fees at PUC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. Associate Degree recipients from PUC accumulate an average of $27,608 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at PUC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 61% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Butte College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,193 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,336 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Butte College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,816. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,921 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Butte College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 81% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #6, Mount Saint Mary’s University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 121 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
If you want to attend MSMU, expect to pay an average of $46,740 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $19,027 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that MSMU does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Stockton, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 3,631 students in 2021-2022.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Delta. In fact, around 98% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Cabrillo College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Aptos, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,994 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Cabrillo College full time pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,630.
Online courses are available at Cabrillo 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
Cuesta College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 2,629 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,340 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cuesta College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,348. On average, associate degree students take out $17,988 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. In 2020-2021 about 75% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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. West Hills College-Lemoore is located in Lemoore, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 767 associate degrees to qualified students.
Associate Degree recipients from West Hills College-Lemoore accumulate an average of $12,678 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 West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 76% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #11, Yuba College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Marysville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,330 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Yuba College full time pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,488.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Yuba College. In fact, around 79% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. SRJC is located in Santa Rosa, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,210 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,310. On average, associate degree students take out $15,618 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SRJC does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 85% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Santa Barbara 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 #13 on the list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,590 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SBCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from SBCC accumulate an average of $17,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at SBCC. In 2020-2021 about 80% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #14, Ventura College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 2,456 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend Ventura College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,146. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,615 in student loans.
Ventura College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 91% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Oregon Coast Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Newport, Oregon is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 62 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $5,148 to cover tuition and fees at Oregon Coast Community College. The school does not offer an in-state discount.
Oregon Coast 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. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
Mt. San Antonio College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Mt. SAC is located in Walnut, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 3,780 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Mt. SAC full time pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,096. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,514 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Mt. SAC does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.
Sacramento 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 #17 on the list. Sacramento City is a fairly large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 1,884 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,597 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that Sacramento City does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fresno City College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Fresno City College is located in Fresno, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,386 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Fresno City College full time pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,890. Associate Degree recipients from Fresno City College accumulate an average of $4,603 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Fresno City College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 88% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Sequoias did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #19 on the list. College of the Sequoias is located in Visalia, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,782 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend College of the Sequoias full time pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,338. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Sequoias accumulate an average of $9,218 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 75% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #20, Riverside City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Riverside City College is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees if they attend Riverside City College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,000. On average, associate degree students take out $9,847 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Riverside City College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 84% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #21, American River College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. American River is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,570 associate degrees to qualified students.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,842 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at American River. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 82% took at least some of their classes online.
Highline College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Des Moines, Washington, and it awarded 893 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $4,458 in tuition and fees if they attend Highline full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $4,948. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,593 in student loans.
Highline 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 75% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 3,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend College of the Canyons full time pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,322. On average, associate degree students take out $13,145 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Canyons. During the 2020-2021 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Mendocino College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Mendocino College is a small public school located in Ukiah, California that handed out 471 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,423 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mendocino College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,893. Associate Degree recipients from Mendocino College accumulate an average of $15,245 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Mendocino College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #25, Glendale Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Glendale, California, the fairly large public school awarded 1,252 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,171 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend GCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,438. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,282 in student loans.
Online courses are available at GCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 65% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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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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