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

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

64 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.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Most Popular Nursing Master's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. This report analyzed 64 schools in the Far Western US Region to see which ones were the most popular master'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

United States University

San Diego, California
397 Total Awards
$5,650 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found United States University to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a master’s degree in the Far Western US Region . This small private for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 397 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 83% of those degree recipients were women.

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

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317 Total Awards
$10,989 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend West Coast University - Orange County. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Anaheim, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 317 students in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out West Coast University - Orange County. Every graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on West Coast University - Orange County

#3

Samuel Merritt University

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

You’ll be in good company if you attend Samuel Merritt University. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Samuel Merritt University is located in Oakland, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 217 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Samuel Merritt University does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 23% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

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214 Total Awards
$28,264 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 64 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science landed the # 4 spot on the list. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 214 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.

Since the graduate programs at CDU are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#5

University of San Francisco

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

Out of the 64 schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of San Francisco landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in San Francisco, California, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 186 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

USFCA does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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#6

University of California - Los Angeles

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

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 179 students in 2020-2021.

Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.

UCLA does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

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#7

Azusa Pacific University

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

Azusa Pacific University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in Azusa, California, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 162 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

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

Since the graduate programs at Azusa Pacific are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Read full report on Azusa Pacific University

#8

University of California - San Francisco

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

University of California - San Francisco came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in San Francisco, California, the small public school handed out 153 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 84% of those degree recipients were women.

UCSF 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 69% took at least some of their classes online.

Full University of California - San Francisco Report

111 Total Awards
$8,280 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Long Beach came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 111 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at CSULB. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on California State University - Long Beach

#10

Gonzaga University

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

With a ranking of #10, Gonzaga University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Spokane, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 101 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.

Gonzaga does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 92% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#11

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California
100 Total Awards
$61,396 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, University of Southern California did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. USC is located in Los Angeles, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 100 master’s degrees to qualified students.

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

One thing to take note of is that USC does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#12

University of San Diego

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

University of San Diego did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #12 on the list. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 89 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able 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.

Read full report on University of San Diego

#13

California Baptist University

Riverside, California
80 Total Awards
$14,320 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, California Baptist University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Cal Baptist is a private not-for-profit institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 80 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.

Cal Baptist does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 45% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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74 Total Awards
$22,709 Average Tuition & Fees

Western University of Health Sciences ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Pomona, California, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 74 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Western University of Health Sciences does offer online graduate classes in some areas. 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.

Full Western University of Health Sciences Report

#15

California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
73 Total Awards
$8,219 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Los Angeles ranked #15 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region list. California State University - Los Angeles is a large public school located in Los Angeles, California that handed out 73 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.

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

Read full report on California State University - Los Angeles

#16

California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, California
61 Total Awards
$8,826 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Sacramento did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #16 on the list. Sac State is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 61 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Sac State does offer online graduate classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 86% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

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61 Total Awards
$8,494 Average Tuition & Fees

California State University - Dominguez Hills landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Carson, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out master’s degrees to 61 students in 2020-2021.

Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.

CSUDH 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 97% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#18

University of Phoenix - California

Costa Mesa, California
55 Total Awards

With a ranking of #18, University of Phoenix - California did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. UOPX - California is a private for-profit institution located in Costa Mesa, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 55 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UOPX - California. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 9% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#19

California State University - Fullerton

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

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, the large public school handed out 50 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at Cal State Fullerton. During the 2019-2020 year, about 99% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on California State University - Fullerton

#20

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
49 Total Awards
$8,738 Average Tuition & Fees

San Francisco State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. SFSU is a large public school situated in San Francisco, California. It awarded 49 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 86% were women.

SFSU 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 93% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#21

University of California - Davis

Davis, California
44 Total Awards
$13,608 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #21, University of California - Davis did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their master’s degree. Located in Davis, California, the large public school awarded 44 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UC Davis. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on University of California - Davis

#22

Touro University Nevada

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

Touro University Nevada landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. Touro University Nevada is a private not-for-profit institution located in Henderson, Nevada. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.

Touro University Nevada is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Read full report on Touro University Nevada

#23

University of Nevada - Las Vegas

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

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, the large public school handed out 38 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

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

Online graduate courses are available at UNLV, 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, 64% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#24

National University

La Jolla, California
37 Total Awards

National University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #24 on the list. National University is located in La Jolla, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at National University. During the 2019-2020 year, about 48% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full National University Report

34 Total Awards
$17,628 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Washington - Bothell Campus landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree nursing programs. University of Washington - Bothell Campus is a medium-sized public school located in Bothell, Washington that handed out 34 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 88% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UW Bothell. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 10% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

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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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