College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Health Professions Schools in the Far Western Region

244 Colleges in the United States
117,623 Health Professions Degrees Awarded
$67,542 Avg Early-Career Salary

Health Professions degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 561 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for health professions students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Health Professions in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall health professions education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Health Professions

1

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo tops our 2026 ranking of the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 52 health professions degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn around $61,010 in the first couple years of their career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

2

University Of California Berkeley is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in health professions, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 555 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $63,675. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $11,729 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for University Of California Berkeley

3

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 2,060 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $96,945 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,286. Read more about the health professions program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

4

University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in health professions, ranking #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 2,019 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $91,589 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,458. Get the full health professions details for University Of Southern California

5

A rank of #5 makes San Diego State University one of the top schools for health professions. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 821 health professions students who graduated with this degree at San Diego State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from San Diego State University earn around $83,573 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $18,633 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from San Diego State University

6

California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for health professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 919 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $100,345. Students borrow a median of $18,162 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at California State University Long Beach

7

San Jose State University earned the #7 position for health professions this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 552 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. More information about a degree in health professions from San Jose State University

8

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for health professions this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 752 health professions students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $114,921 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,800. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California Los Angeles

9

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for health professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 19 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $40,920 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,559 in student loans. Read more about the health professions program at University Of California Santa Cruz

10
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #10 for health professions this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 184 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $79,753 early in their careers. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from Stanford University

11

University Of California San Diego ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 662 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Health Professions graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $53,628 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,280. Get the full health professions details for University Of California San Diego

12
Santa Clara University crest
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara University landed the #12 spot for health professions this year. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 32 health professions degrees were awarded at Santa Clara University in the most recent year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Santa Clara University earn around $47,274 in the first couple years of their career. Santa Clara University graduates carry a median of $24,500 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for Santa Clara University

13

Roseman University Of Health Sciences earned the #13 position for health professions this year. Located in the city of Henderson, Roseman University Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. There were roughly 582 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Roseman University Of Health Sciences in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $87,807 in their early career. Roseman University Of Health Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,448 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for Roseman University Of Health Sciences

14

California State University Sacramento landed the #14 spot for health professions this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 1,224 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $106,660. Students borrow a median of $18,924 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for California State University Sacramento

15

California State University Chico came in at #15 for health professions this year. Set in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 293 health professions students who graduated with this degree at California State University Chico in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $92,328 in their early career. California State University Chico graduates carry a median of $20,240 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Chico

16
University Of San Francisco crest
University Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

University Of San Francisco earned the #16 position for health professions this year. University Of San Francisco is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of San Francisco awarded about 520 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from University Of San Francisco earn around $124,996 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full health professions details for University Of San Francisco

17

Loyola Marymount University placed #17 among the best health professions schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 40 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, health professions degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $55,470. Students borrow a median of $22,248 to complete this degree. Get the full health professions details for Loyola Marymount University

18
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University came in at #18 for health professions this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 94 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of Sonoma State University earn a median of $135,306 early in their careers. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $19,750 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from Sonoma State University

19

University Of California Irvine placed #19 among the best health professions schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. About 743 health professions degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $62,355 in their early career. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $14,432 in student loans. More information about a degree in health professions from University Of California Irvine

20

San Francisco State University placed #20 among the best health professions schools. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. San Francisco State University awarded about 545 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $108,016 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,009. See the full health professions program report for San Francisco State University

21
Mti College crest
Mti College
Sacramento, CA

Mti College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best health professions schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, Mti College is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. About 299 health professions degrees were awarded at Mti College in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $27,177 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,981 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from Mti College

22

University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #22 among the best health professions schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 233 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Health Professions graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $100,878 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,716. More information about a degree in health professions from University Of Washington Bothell Campus

23

Samuel Merritt University earned the #23 position for health professions this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Oakland. Samuel Merritt University awarded about 884 health professions degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Samuel Merritt University earn around $130,445 in the first couple years of their career. Samuel Merritt University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full health professions program report for Samuel Merritt University

24

Mt San Antonio College came in at #24 for health professions this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. There were roughly 412 health professions students who graduated with this degree at Mt San Antonio College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their health professions degree from Mt San Antonio College earn around $83,966 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,152 to complete this degree. Read more about the health professions program at Mt San Antonio College

25

California State University Fullerton earned the #25 position for health professions this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 917 health professions degrees were awarded at California State University Fullerton in the most recent year. Graduates of the health professions program make about $128,847 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,402 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in health professions from California State University Fullerton

Rest of the Top 50 Health Professions Schools

These schools also placed among the best for health professions this year:

26
27
28
Scripps College crest
Scripps College
Claremont, CA
29
Palo Alto University crest
Palo Alto University
Palo Alto, CA
30
31
32
Gonzaga University crest
Gonzaga University
Spokane, WA
33
34
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA
35
Loma Linda University crest
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Additional Health Professions Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for health professions this year:

Rank School Location
#54 California State University San Marcos San Marcos, CA
#69 Carrington College California Sacramento Sacramento, CA
#71 West Coast University Orange County Anaheim, CA
#72 Bastyr University Kenmore, WA
#74 Carrington College California Pleasant Hill Pleasant Hill, CA
#81 Foothill College Los Altos Hills, CA
#82 University Of Portland Portland, OR
#83 Mount St Marys College Los Angeles, CA
#85 Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA
#87 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA
#91 Charles R Drew University Of Medicine And Science Los Angeles, CA
#136 Oregon Institute Of Technology Klamath Falls, OR
#148 West Coast University Ontario Ontario, CA
#159 Modesto Junior College Modesto, CA
#165 San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova Rancho Cordova, CA
#175 City College Of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
#178 Southwestern College Chula Vista Chula Vista, CA
#183 Riverside City College Riverside, CA
#204 College Of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV
#217 Merced College Merced, CA
#268 Pacific College Of Oriental Medicine Llc San Diego San Diego, CA

Honorable Mentions

A few more health professions schools worth a look:

Narrow Health Professions Schools by State

View All Health Professions Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 561 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options