2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

For return on investment in nursing practice, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,375 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $156,309 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.

2

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $17,938 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $138,832. Set against $17,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #3 place for nursing practice. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $87,466. That is a strong return on a $13,400 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $18,750. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

Students looking for strong value in nursing practice will find it at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $15,308. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $106,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,308 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

6

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University earned the #6 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.

7

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #7 for value in nursing practice this year. Set in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $26,875. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $102,569 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,875 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $121,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

9

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno placed #9 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Students borrow a median of $20,813 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $117,180. Set against $20,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #10 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University earned the #11 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,916. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

12

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University landed the #12 spot for nursing practice value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,407. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $81,671 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 83%.

13

United States University
San Diego, CA

United States University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing practice schools. United States University is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $7,108. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $32,641. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $120,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University earned the #14 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Riverside, California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,228. Students borrow a median of $35,718 to complete the nursing practice program here. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $103,966. That is a strong return on a $35,718 median debt. California Baptist University admits about 85% of applicants.

15

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science
Los Angeles, CA

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science came in at #15 for value in nursing practice this year. Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,000. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science earn a median of $132,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

16

Chaminade University Of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI

Chaminade University Of Honolulu landed the #16 spot for nursing practice value this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Chaminade University Of Honolulu is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,874. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $81,125. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

17

Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University earned the #17 position for value in nursing practice this year. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,392. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Hawaii Pacific University generally make around $75,892. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hawaii Pacific University admits about 86% of applicants.

18

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego earned the #18 position for value in nursing practice this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $124,795. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 52%.

19

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System
Aliso Viejo, CA

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System placed #19 among the best values for nursing practice. Set in the suburb of Aliso Viejo, Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,540 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $128,766. Set against $27,471 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Everest College Henderson
Las Vegas, NV

Everest College Henderson earned the #20 position for value in nursing practice this year. Everest College Henderson is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,176. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $32,167 in student loans. Early-career nursing practice graduates make about $75,561. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University placed #21 among the best values for nursing practice. Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $56,721. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $25,000. Nursing Practice graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $100,549 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Seattle University admits about 77% of applicants.

22

Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University placed #22 among the best values for nursing practice. Located in the city of Spokane, Gonzaga University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $55,480. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the nursing practice program here. Nursing Practice graduates of Gonzaga University earn a median of $114,954 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Portland
Portland, OR

University Of Portland came in at #23 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Portland, University Of Portland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Typical student debt for nursing practice graduates is $28,750. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from University Of Portland generally make around $54,739. That is a strong return on a $28,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

24

West Coast University Orange County
Anaheim, CA

West Coast University Orange County came in at #24 for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University Orange County is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $22,506 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from West Coast University Orange County generally make around $112,084. That is a strong return on a $38,145 median debt.

25

Point Loma Nazarene University
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University earned the #25 position for value in nursing practice this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $46,250 in tuition and fees. Nursing Practice graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Nursing Practice graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University earn a median of $107,179 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.