2026 Best Value Nursing Practice Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the nursing practice degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Nursing Practice Schools
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.
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%.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
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%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Nursing Practice](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-practice/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
