2026 Best Value Nursing Science Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in nursing science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Nursing Science Schools
University Of Nevada Las Vegas tops our 2026 list of the best value nursing science schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $19,733. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $103,941. That is a strong return on a $19,733 median debt. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $13,400. Nursing Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $87,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in nursing science will find it at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #3. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for nursing science graduates is $15,308. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $106,751. Set against $15,308 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #4 place for nursing science. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $65,681. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for nursing science. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $20,800 to complete the nursing science program here. Nursing Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $20,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Fresno Pacific University earned the #6 position for value in nursing science this year. Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno Pacific University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $36,660. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $24,596 in student loans. Nursing Science graduates of Fresno Pacific University earn a median of $132,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Washington State University placed #7 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing science degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $103,901. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego placed #8 among the best values for nursing science. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Nursing Science graduates carry a median of $23,795 in student loans. Early-career nursing science graduates make about $124,795. Set against $23,795 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Diego admits about 52% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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 Science](/majors/health-care-professions/nursing/nursing-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
