2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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 and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 181 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones offered the best value programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Seattle Central College the best value school in the Far Western US Region for nursing students working on their degree. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small public school awarded 145 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Seattle Central are $4,670 per year. On average, students take out $14,549 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Seattle Central graduates make an average of $56,258 annually.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Highline College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Highline is a public institution located in Des Moines, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 142 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Highline are $4,813 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,827 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Highline graduates make an average of $47,918 annually.
Out of the 181 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, United States University landed the # 3 spot on the list. USU is located in San Diego, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 451 degrees to qualified students.
USU undergraduate students pay an average of $5,700 in tuition and fees each year. During the early years of their career, USU graduates make an average of $85,412 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Centralia College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Centralia, Washington, the small public school handed out 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Centralia College are $5,239 a year. On average, students take out $12,250 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Centralia College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,843 during the early year of their career.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wenatchee Valley College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Wenatchee, Washington, the small public school awarded 68 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
WVC undergraduate students pay an average of $4,734 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $16,207 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WVC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,404 during the early years of their career.
Merced College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Merced, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 70 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Merced Community College District undergraduate students pay an average of $7,444 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,785 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Merced Community College District graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,460 during the early year of their career.
Merced Community College District excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Umpqua Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Roseburg, Oregon is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 46 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Umpqua Community College are $5,945 per year. On average, students take out $18,148 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Umpqua Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,810 during the early year of their career.
Yakima Valley College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Yakima, Washington, the small public school awarded 57 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at YVC are $5,352 per year. On average, students take out $16,839 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, YVC graduates make an average of $37,465 annually.
Spokane Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Spokane, Washington, the medium-sized public school handed out 88 degrees in 2020-2021.
Spokane Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,135 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,445 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Spokane Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,399 during the early year of their career.
Yuba College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #10 on the list. Yuba College is a medium-sized public school located in Marysville, California that handed out 58 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,974 in student loans.After graduating from Yuba College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $85,607 during the early years of their career.
Lower Columbia College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #11 on the list. Lower Columbia College is a small public school located in Longview, Washington that handed out 120 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at LCC are $5,403 a year. On average, students take out $14,726 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, LCC graduates make an average of $38,229 annually.
Butte College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Butte College is a medium-sized public school located in Oroville, California that handed out 191 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,848 a year. On average, students take out $16,178 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Butte College graduates make an average of $56,786 annually.
Butte College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Ventura College landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 degrees to qualified students.
Ventura College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,398 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,425 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Ventura College graduates make an average of $35,968 annually.
Modesto Junior College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Modesto Junior College is a fairly large public school located in Modesto, California that handed out 115 degrees in 2020-2021.
MJC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,550 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,193 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, MJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,887 during the early year of their career.
MJC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
Glendale Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Glendale Community College is a fairly large public school located in Glendale, California that handed out 174 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at GCC are $7,531 a year. On average, students take out $17,310 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, GCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,295 during the early year of their career.
Southwestern Oregon Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. SWOCC is located in Coos Bay, Oregon and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SWOCC are $6,483 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,134 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SWOCC graduates make an average of $39,283 annually.
Big Bend Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Moses Lake, Washington, the small public school awarded 58 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Big Bend Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $5,098 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $8,909 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Big Bend Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,243 during the early year of their career.
Clover Park Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #18 on the list. Located in Lakewood, Washington, the small public school awarded 70 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CPTC are $5,740 a year. On average, students take out $16,810 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, CPTC graduates make an average of $41,883 annually.
Cabrillo College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #19 on the list. Cabrillo College is located in Aptos, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 68 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,746 in student loans.After graduating from Cabrillo College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,254 during the early years of their career.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cabrillo College also is in the top 20% of our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking.
Antelope Valley College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Antelope Valley College is located in Lancaster, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 111 degrees to qualified students.
Antelope Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,980 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,800 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Antelope Valley College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,833 during the early years of their career.
Moorpark College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Moorpark College is a public institution located in Moorpark, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moorpark College are $7,398 per year. On average, students take out $17,214 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Moorpark College graduates make an average of $49,180 annually.
Columbia Gorge Community College came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Columbia Gorge Community College is located in The Dalles, Oregon and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Columbia Gorge Community College are $9,468 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,392 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Columbia Gorge Community College graduates make an average of $77,917 annually.
In addition to its great value ranking, Columbia Gorge Community College is in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list.
Walla Walla Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Walla Walla, Washington, the small public school awarded 92 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Walla Walla Community College are $6,350 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,291 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Walla Walla Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,019 during the early years of their career.
Shoreline Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #23 on the list. Shoreline Community College is a small public school situated in Shoreline, Washington. It awarded 96 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Shoreline Community College are $7,013 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $18,550 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Shoreline Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,689 during the early year of their career.
San Joaquin Delta College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Delta is located in Stockton, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 123 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delta are $9,072 per year. On average, students take out $13,629 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Delta graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,671 during the early year of their career.
Delta also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Rest of the Best Value Nursing Schools in the Far Western US Region
Not only did these schools make the list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our best nursing schools ranking:
Rank | School | Location |
---|---|---|
29 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA |
30 | Rogue Community College | Grants Pass, OR |
31 | Fresno City College | Fresno, CA |
32 | Santa Barbara City College | Santa Barbara, CA |
33 | Oregon Coast Community College | Newport, OR |
34 | Imperial Valley College | Imperial, CA |
35 | Santa Rosa Junior College | Santa Rosa, CA |
36 | Mendocino College | Ukiah, CA |
37 | Linfield University - Online and Continuing Education | McMinnville, OR |
More Far Western US Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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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