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2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region

18 Ranked Colleges
1,011 Degrees Awarded
$9,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is the 185th most popular major in the country with 86,912 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $33,439 and had an average of $12,589 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 10,324 practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,800 and $16,816 respectively. At the associate degree level specifically, there were 1,011 practical nursing and nursing assistants graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,689 and $18,419 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 18 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in practical nursing and nursing assistants. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality practical nursing and nursing assistants programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the practical nursing and nursing assistants program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools

The practical nursing school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

Top 18 Best Value Associate Degree Colleges for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in the Far Western US Region

#1

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, California

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Santa Barbara City College landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 22 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree practical nursing students list, SBCC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,556 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students per year to attend Santa Barbara City College.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Barbara City College

#2

Merced College

Merced, California
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Merced College landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 27 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Merced Community College District also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $10,565 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students per year to attend Merced College.

Full Merced College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#3

Butte College

Oroville, California
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Butte College. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 22 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Butte College also took the #8 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Butte College is $5,070 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Butte College

#4

Citrus College

Glendora, California
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Citrus College landed the #4 spot on the list. Citrus College is a public institution located in Glendora, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Citrus College also took the #10 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Citrus College is $2,751 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Citrus College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#5

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Long Beach City College. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 25 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Long Beach City College also made our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Long Beach City College is $3,066 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students.

Full Long Beach City College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#6

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, California
#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Sacramento City College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

Sacramento City also took the #7 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,835 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students per year to attend Sacramento City.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City College

#7

Riverside City College

Riverside, California
#6 in overall quality

Riverside City College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Riverside City College is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Riverside City College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Riverside City College is $4,620 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

Full Riverside City College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#8

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, California
#11 in overall quality

Cuesta College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Cuesta College is a fairly large school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 8 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Cuesta College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $7,790 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students per year to attend Cuesta College.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College

#9

Rio Hondo College

Whittier, California
#13 in overall quality

Rio Hondo College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Rio Hondo College is located in Whittier, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 associates’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

RHCCD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend RHCCD is $5,487 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Rio Hondo College

#10

College of the Redwoods

Eureka, California
#20 in overall quality

College of the Redwoods did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. College of the Redwoods is a small school located in Eureka, California that handed out 6 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at College of the Redwoods, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend College of the Redwoods is $4,773 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Redwoods

#11

College of the Siskiyous

Weed, California
#19 in overall quality

College of the Siskiyous came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Weed, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associates’s practical nursing degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

College of the Siskiyous not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Siskiyous is $8,061 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at College of the Siskiyous

#12

College of the Desert

Palm Desert, California
#15 in overall quality

College of the Desert came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region ranking. College of the Desert is a public institution located in Palm Desert, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 9 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

College of the Desert did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for College of the Desert is $9,654 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students.

Full College of the Desert Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#13

Bates Technical College

Tacoma, Washington
#14 in overall quality

Bates Technical College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Bates Technical College is a public institution located in Tacoma, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 60 associates’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Bates Technical College also took the #14 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $5,910 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students per year to attend Bates Technical College.

Full Bates Technical College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#14

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, California
#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Allan Hancock College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Allan Hancock College is located in Santa Maria, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 31 associates’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Allan Hancock College, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Allan Hancock College is $3,810 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students.

Full Allan Hancock College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#15

Gavilan College

Gilroy, California
#18 in overall quality

Gavilan College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Gilroy, California, this small public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.

Gavilan College also took the #18 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $4,784 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students per year to attend Gavilan College.

Full Gavilan College Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

#16

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, California
#21 in overall quality

Santa Rosa Junior College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Santa Rosa, California, this fairly large public school handed out 2 degrees to qualified associates’s practical nursing students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region associate degree practical nursing students list, SRJC has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $5,782 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students per year to attend Santa Rosa Junior College.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Santa Rosa Junior College

#17

Unitek College

Fremont, California

Unitek College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Unitek College is a small school located in Fremont, California that handed out 191 associates’s practical nursing degrees in 2019-2020.

Unitek College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $50,496 for far western us region associate degree practical nursing students per year to attend Unitek College.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

#18

Platt College - Los Angeles

Alhambra, California

Platt College - Los Angeles ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Practical Nursing Schools for an Associate in the Far Western US Region list. Platt College - Los Angeles is located in Alhambra, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 associates’s practical nursing degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Platt College - Los Angeles, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Platt College - Los Angeles is $22,710 for Far Western US Region Associate Degree Practical Nursing students.

Full Platt College - Los Angeles Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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