2026 Best Nursing Practice Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

No school ranked higher than California State University Fullerton this year for nursing practice. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. There were roughly 51 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at California State University Fullerton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $156,309 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,375. Get the full nursing practice details for California State University Fullerton

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in nursing practice, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 11 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $121,757 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $20,800 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #3. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. University Of California Irvine awarded about 26 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $87,466 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,400 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of California Irvine

4

Samuel Merritt University
Oakland, CA

Samuel Merritt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in nursing practice, ranking #4. Samuel Merritt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Oakland. There were roughly 46 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Samuel Merritt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Samuel Merritt University generally make around $132,722. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for Samuel Merritt University

5

University Of California San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

Students looking for a strong nursing practice program will find one at University Of California San Francisco, which ranked #5. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 72 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $138,842 in their early career. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of California San Francisco

6

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno placed #6 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. About 61% of students finish within six years. University Of Nevada Reno awarded about 39 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $117,180 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,813. Get the full nursing practice details for University Of Nevada Reno

7

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #7 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 53 nursing practice degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn around $106,751 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,308 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa

8

West Coast University Orange County
Anaheim, CA

West Coast University Orange County came in at #8 for nursing practice this year. This moderately-sized private for-profit university is located in the city of Anaheim. West Coast University Orange County graduates 60% of students within six years. About 14 nursing practice degrees were awarded at West Coast University Orange County in the most recent year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $112,084 in their early career. West Coast University Orange County graduates carry a median of $38,145 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for West Coast University Orange County

9

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

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science placed #9 among the best nursing practice schools. Located in the suburb of Los Angeles, Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 30% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science generally make around $132,827. Typical student debt for the program is $27,250. See the full nursing practice program report for Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science

10

University Of San Diego
San Diego, CA

University Of San Diego came in at #10 for nursing practice this year. University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Diego. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 43 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Graduates of the nursing practice program make about $124,795 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,795 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in nursing practice from University Of San Diego

11

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

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #11 spot for nursing practice this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. About 11 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn around $128,766 in the first couple years of their career. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System graduates carry a median of $27,471 in student loans. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System

12

Touro University Nevada
Henderson, NV

Touro University Nevada landed the #12 spot for nursing practice this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Henderson. About 22 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Touro University Nevada in the most recent year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Touro University Nevada earn around $130,133 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,002. More information about a degree in nursing practice from Touro University Nevada

13

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University placed #13 among the best nursing practice schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. California Baptist University graduates 62% of students within six years. California Baptist University awarded about 10 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of California Baptist University earn a median of $103,966 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $35,718. Get the full nursing practice details for California Baptist University

14

Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University came in at #14 for nursing practice this year. Seattle Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. Seattle Pacific University awarded about 20 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Nursing Practice graduates of Seattle Pacific University earn a median of $81,671 early in their careers. Seattle Pacific University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. See the full nursing practice program report for Seattle Pacific University

15

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences
San Marcos, CA

University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences is a moderately-sized private for-profit institution. University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences awarded about 52 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences earn around $95,449 in the first couple years of their career. Read more about the nursing practice program at University Of St Augustine For Health Sciences

16

Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University earned the #16 position for nursing practice this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hawaii Pacific University graduates 35% of students within six years. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 14 nursing practice degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, nursing practice degree recipients from Hawaii Pacific University generally make around $75,892. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the nursing practice program at Hawaii Pacific University

17

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University landed the #17 spot for nursing practice this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Pacific Lutheran University graduates 69% of students within six years. About 17 nursing practice degrees were awarded at Pacific Lutheran University in the most recent year. Nursing Practice graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $91,961 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $29,000 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Pacific Lutheran University

18

Everest College Henderson
Las Vegas, NV

Everest College Henderson ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best nursing practice schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Las Vegas. There were roughly 133 nursing practice students who graduated with this degree at Everest College Henderson in the most recent data year. Students who receive their nursing practice degree from Everest College Henderson earn around $75,561 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,167 to complete this degree. Get the full nursing practice details for Everest College Henderson