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Most Popular Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

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2023 Most Popular Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

36 Schools Ranked

A nursing student has lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. 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.

The Most Popular Nursing Doctor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking is one of many tools that Nursing Degree Search has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 36 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones were the most popular doctor's degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Brandman University

Irvine, California
113 Total Awards
$12,720 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Brandman University the most popular school in the Far Western US Region for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Brandman University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Irvine, California that handed out 113 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Brandman are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Read full report on Brandman University

107 Total Awards
$17,754 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 36 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, the large public school handed out 107 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.

UW Seattle does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 7% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#3

Seattle University

Seattle, Washington
75 Total Awards
$14,310 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Seattle University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 75 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Seattle U does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 71% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Seattle University

#4

University of San Diego

San Diego, California
58 Total Awards
$28,410 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent doctor’s degree programs at University of San Diego helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in the Far Western US Region . University of San Diego is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in San Diego, California that handed out 58 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at USD. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#5

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
49 Total Awards
$13,740 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Washington State University. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 49 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 80% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Wazzu does offer online graduate classes in some areas. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 30% took at least some of their classes online.

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#6

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, California
46 Total Awards
$27,250 Average Tuition & Fees

University of San Francisco landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 46 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at USFCA. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of San Francisco Report

45 Total Awards
$26,247 Average Tuition & Fees

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in San Marcos, California, the medium-sized private for-profit school handed out 45 doctor’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, USAHS is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read More…

#8

Gonzaga University

Spokane, Washington
44 Total Awards
$14,878 Average Tuition & Fees

Gonzaga University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

Around 86% of those degree recipients were women.

Gonzaga does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 92% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Gonzaga University Report

36 Total Awards
$28,460 Average Tuition & Fees

Oregon Health & Science University ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This small public school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 36 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

OHSU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 18% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Oregon Health & Science University

#10

Touro University Nevada

Henderson, Nevada
32 Total Awards
$48,888 Average Tuition & Fees

Touro University Nevada did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #10 on the list. Touro University Nevada is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Nevada. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 72% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, Touro University Nevada is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Full Touro University Nevada Report

27 Total Awards
$6,290 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #11 on the list. UNR is located in Reno, Nevada and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.

One thing to take note of is that UNR does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 33% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full University of Nevada - Reno Report

#12

California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, California
26 Total Awards
$8,410 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #12, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Cal State Fullerton, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on California State University - Fullerton

#13

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, California
25 Total Awards
$31,058 Average Tuition & Fees

Loma Linda University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Loma Linda, California, and it awarded 25 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Loma Linda University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 22% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#13

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
25 Total Awards
$13,036 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. This large public school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 25 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since UCLA does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 79% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of California - Los Angeles

#15

Azusa Pacific University

Azusa, California
24 Total Awards
$16,696 Average Tuition & Fees

Azusa Pacific University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit institution located in Azusa, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 24 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Azusa Pacific. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Azusa Pacific University Report

#16

Pacific Lutheran University

Tacoma, Washington
23 Total Awards
$29,684 Average Tuition & Fees

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. PLU is located in Tacoma, Washington and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 doctor’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.

PLU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 94% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#17

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada
20 Total Awards
$6,607 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the large public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 95% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UNLV. In 2019-2020 about 64% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#18

Seattle Pacific University

Seattle, Washington
17 Total Awards

Seattle Pacific University landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Located in Seattle, Washington, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 17 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 94% were women.

SPU does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 83% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Seattle Pacific University

#19

University of California - San Francisco

San Francisco, California
16 Total Awards
$12,999 Average Tuition & Fees

University of California - San Francisco did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a doctor’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. This small public school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 16 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.

UCSF does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full University of California - San Francisco Report

15 Total Awards
$22,709 Average Tuition & Fees

Western University of Health Sciences landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Pomona, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctor’s degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Around 93% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Western University of Health Sciences. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 0% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

12 Total Awards
$8,087 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, California State University - Fresno did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualifed doctor’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.

Fresno State does have options available for those who want to take online graduate 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, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Samuel Merritt University

Oakland, California
9 Total Awards
$54,521 Average Tuition & Fees

Samuel Merritt University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Samuel Merritt University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Oakland, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 44% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Samuel Merritt University. In fact, around 23% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Point Loma Nazarene University

San Diego, California
9 Total Awards

With a ranking of #22, Point Loma Nazarene University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their doctor’s degree. PLNU is a small private not-for-profit school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 9 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at PLNU, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 56% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Point Loma Nazarene University Report

#22

San Jose State University

San Jose, California
9 Total Awards
$9,286 Average Tuition & Fees

San Jose State University landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. San Jose State University is a large public school located in San Jose, California that handed out 9 doctor’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at San Jose State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 94% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on San Jose State University

8 Total Awards
$12,230 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Hawaii at Hilo landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular doctor’s degree nursing programs. Hilo, Hawaii is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctor’s degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 100% were women.

UH Hilo does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 33% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

View Most Popular Nursing Doctor’s Degree Schools Nationwide >

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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