2026 Best Value Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #1 spot for value among psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $19,733. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $103,941. Set against $19,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

2

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Students looking for strong value in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing will find it at Washington State University, which ranked #2. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $54,697. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.

3

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alaska Anchorage earned it the #3 place for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing program here. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $101,287 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,813. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $117,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

5

Vanguard University Of Southern California
Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University Of Southern California is a great value for students pursuing a degree in psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Vanguard University Of Southern California is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Costa Mesa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,700. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $20,832. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $80,727. Set against $20,832 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

6

Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University placed #6 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. Located in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $29,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of $49,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7

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

Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science placed #7 among the best values for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing. 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. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,250. Early-career psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates make about $132,827. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

8

Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $75,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

9

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

Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System landed the #9 spot for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing value this year. Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System is a large public school located in the suburb of Aliso Viejo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,540. Typical student debt for psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $27,471. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Brandman University Part Of The Chapman University System earn a median of $128,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. 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 psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing graduates is $25,000. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $100,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value psychiatric/mental health nurse/nursing schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,522. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Psychiatric/mental Health Nurse/nursing graduates of University Of San Francisco earn a median of $127,760 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of San Francisco admits about 62% of applicants.