2026 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools in the Far Western Region
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 174 schools to find the best for practical nursing & nursing assistants students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants
Leading the list is Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health, our #1 school for practical nursing & nursing assistants. Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health is a small public school located in the city of Los Angeles. There were roughly 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health earn around $89,536 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,224.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Los Angeles County College Of Nursing And Allied Health
Santa Rosa Junior College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Rosa. There were roughly 83 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,692.
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Butte College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, ranking #3. Butte College is a large public school located in the rural area of Oroville. Butte College awarded about 131 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $65,467 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,382.
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Kapiolani Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants, landing the #4 spot this year. Kapiolani Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. There were roughly 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $48,210 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,738.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Kapiolani Community College
Students looking for a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants program will find one at Bates Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Bates Technical College awarded about 109 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year.
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Pacific College earned the #6 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 74 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Pacific College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $59,213 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
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Chemeketa Community College landed the #7 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Chemeketa Community College is a large public institution. Chemeketa Community College awarded about 32 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Chemeketa Community College generally make around $45,440. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Chemeketa Community College
Hartnell College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Salinas, Hartnell College is a large public university. About 69 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Hartnell College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $63,321 in their early career. Hartnell College graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans.
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Shoreline Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Shoreline Community College awarded about 69 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $62,009 in their early career. Shoreline Community College graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans.
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Carrington College California Sacramento landed the #10 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Carrington College California Sacramento is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Carrington College California Sacramento awarded about 122 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Carrington College California Sacramento generally make around $62,907. Carrington College California Sacramento graduates carry a median of $25,104 in student loans.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Carrington College California Sacramento
Clover Park Technical College earned the #11 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Lakewood. About 118 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Clover Park Technical College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Clover Park Technical College earn around $53,065 in the first couple years of their career. Clover Park Technical College graduates carry a median of $16,205 in student loans.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Clover Park Technical College
Green River Community College came in at #12 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 168 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Green River Community College in the most recent year.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Green River Community College
Renton Technical College came in at #13 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 20 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Renton Technical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Renton Technical College generally make around $80,411. Typical student debt for the program is $18,582.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Renton Technical College
Olympic College placed #14 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. About 66 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Olympic College in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $48,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,333.
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Tacoma Community College landed the #15 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Tacoma. About 77 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Tacoma Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Tacoma Community College earn around $41,732 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,822.
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Carrington College California San Jose earned the #16 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose is a small private for-profit university. Carrington College California San Jose awarded about 40 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their practical nursing & nursing assistants degree from Carrington College California San Jose earn around $62,907 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,104.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Carrington College California San Jose
Seattle Community College Central Campus placed #17 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 50 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Seattle Community College Central Campus
Bellingham Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 60 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Bellingham Technical College in the most recent data year.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Bellingham Technical College
Columbia Basin College came in at #19 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Columbia Basin College awarded about 49 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,170.
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Alaska Pacific University landed the #20 spot for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Alaska Pacific University in the most recent year.
Read more about the practical nursing & nursing assistants program at Alaska Pacific University
Allan Hancock College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Set in the city of Santa Maria, Allan Hancock College is a large public institution. About 148 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at Allan Hancock College in the most recent year.
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San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria earned the #22 position for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Set in the city of Santa Maria, San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria is a small private for-profit institution. About 45 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees were awarded at San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria in the most recent year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $51,744 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,684 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in practical nursing & nursing assistants from San Joaquin Valley College Santa Maria
Walla Walla Community College came in at #23 for practical nursing & nursing assistants this year. Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Walla Walla. There were roughly 73 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Walla Walla Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the practical nursing & nursing assistants program make about $46,131 in their early career. Walla Walla Community College graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Walla Walla Community College
Truckee Meadows Community College placed #24 among the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. This large public university is located in the city of Reno. There were roughly 237 practical nursing & nursing assistants students who graduated with this degree at Truckee Meadows Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, practical nursing & nursing assistants degree recipients from Truckee Meadows Community College generally make around $52,785. Typical student debt for the program is $12,290.
See the full practical nursing & nursing assistants program report for Truckee Meadows Community College
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best practical nursing & nursing assistants schools. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield awarded about 67 practical nursing & nursing assistants degrees in the most recent data year. Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $51,744 early in their careers. San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans.
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Rest of the Top 50 Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong practical nursing & nursing assistants education:
Narrow Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 174 schools evaluated.
- 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.
