2023 Best Nursing 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 Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This report analyzed 181 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones offered the best programs for nursing students.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found University of Southern California to be the best school for nursing students in the Far Western US Region . University of Southern California is a large private not-for-profit school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 18,134 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from USC accumulate an average of $73,962 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $546, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,044 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 181 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Monterey Bay landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in Seaside, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,220 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,147 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $200, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, CSUMB graduates make an average of $43,457 annually.
Read full report on California State University - Monterey Bay
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bushnell University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Bushnell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a very small population, and it awarded 236 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Bushnell University accumulate an average of $33,086 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bushnell University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,591 during the early year of their career.
The excellent programs at University of California - Davis helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in the Far Western US Region . UC Davis is located in Davis, California and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 12,064 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,764 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $305 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UC Davis graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,065 during the early year of their career.
Sonoma State University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Sonoma State University is a medium-sized public school located in Rohnert Park, California that handed out 2,454 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from SSU accumulate an average of $22,290 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $332 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, SSU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,865 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #7, Gonzaga University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,174 students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $42,915 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $833.After graduating from Gonzaga, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,213 during the early years of their career.
University of Portland came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Portland is a private not-for-profit institution located in Portland, Oregon. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,342 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $35,271 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $725 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, University of Portland graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,310 during the early year of their career.
California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,499 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,853 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CSUDH graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,452 during the early year of their career.
California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Stan State is located in Turlock, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,885 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,814 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $194, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Stan State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,835 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #11, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in Los Angeles, California, the large public school awarded 14,845 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $42,659 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $327.After graduating from UCLA, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,838 during the early years of their career.
Dominican University of California ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. DUofC is located in San Rafael, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 636 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from DUofC accumulate an average of $56,856 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $907 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, DUofC graduates make an average of $53,232 annually.
University of San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #13 on the list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 3,309 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $48,821 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $758. During the early years of their career, USFCA graduates make an average of $60,640 annually.
California State University - Sacramento landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 8,266 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Sac State accumulate an average of $23,496 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $202, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Sac State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,098 during the early year of their career.
Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. Located in Los Angeles, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 833 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $51,480 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $300. Once they receive their degree, MSMU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,449 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #16, California State University - Channel Islands did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. California State University - Channel Islands is a medium-sized public school located in Camarillo, California that handed out 1,997 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $19,411 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $297, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CSUCI, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,739 during the early years of their career.
With a ranking of #17, University of Washington - Tacoma Campus did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. This small public school is located in Tacoma, Washington, and it awarded 1,859 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from UW Tacoma accumulate an average of $24,354 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $288. During the early years of their career, UW Tacoma graduates make an average of $52,004 annually.
Merced College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Merced Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Merced, California. It awarded 2,892 degrees in 2021-2022.
After graduating from Merced Community College District, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $54,460 during the early years of their career.
Azusa Pacific University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Azusa Pacific is located in Azusa, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,893 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Azusa Pacific accumulate an average of $57,692 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $380, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Azusa Pacific graduates make an average of $46,840 annually.
With a ranking of #20, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in San Diego, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 1,342 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from PLNU accumulate an average of $30,160 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $687, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, PLNU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,716 during the early year of their career.
Columbia Gorge Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Columbia Gorge Community College is a small public school located in The Dalles, Oregon that handed out 184 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,352 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Columbia Gorge Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $77,917 during the early year of their career.
National University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. National University is located in San Diego, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 6,315 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from National University accumulate an average of $33,607 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $294, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, National University graduates make an average of $58,580 annually.
Vanguard University of Southern California came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Costa Mesa, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 603 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Vanguard accumulate an average of $20,667 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Vanguard, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $49,027 during the early years of their career.
Modesto Junior College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best nursing programs. MJC is a fairly large public school situated in Modesto, California. It awarded 3,073 degrees in 2021-2022.
Once they receive their degree, MJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,887 during the early year of their career.
With a ranking of #25, San Jose State University did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working. Located in San Jose, California, the large public school awarded 10,459 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
During the early years of their career, San Jose State graduates make an average of $52,886 annually.
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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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