by our College Data Analytics TeamFor its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 122 schools in the Far Western US Region to determine which ones were the best for registered nursing students pursuing a associate degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 8,670 associate degrees in registered nursing during the 2022-2023 academic year.
What's on this page: * Our Methodology
The registered nursing associate degree program you select can have a big impact on your future. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:
A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To account for this we consider a school's overall Best Colleges ranking which itself looks at a host of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.
The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.
Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for registered nursing students working on their associate degree.
The registered 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 the Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region.
The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing an associate degree in registered nursing. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.
Every student who is interested in an associate degree in registered nursing has to look into Mount Saint Mary's University. MSMU is a small private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Mount Saint Mary’s University
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in registered nursing has to look into Modesto Junior College. Located in the city of Modesto, MJC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Modesto Junior College
Merced College is one of the best schools in the United States for getting an associate degree in registered nursing. Merced Community College District is a fairly large public college located in the small city of Merced.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Merced College
Every student pursuing a degree in an associate degree in registered nursing has to take a look at Carrington College, Sacramento. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit college located in the suburb of Sacramento.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Carrington College, Sacramento
Located in the city of Las Vegas, CSN is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from College of Southern Nevada
Located in the city of Santa Rosa, SRJC is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Santa Rosa Junior College
Riverside City College is a very large public college located in the large city of Riverside.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Riverside City College
Located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Pacific College
City College of San Francisco is a large public college located in the large city of San Francisco.More information about a associate in registered nursing from City College of San Francisco
SWC Chula Vista is a fairly large public college located in the large city of Chula Vista.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Southwestern College
Located in the rural area of Angwin, PUC is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Pacific Union College
Butte College is a large public college located in the rural area of Oroville.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Butte College
MSJC is a large public college located in the midsize suburb of San Jacinto.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Mt. San Jacinto College
Located in the large suburb of Shoreline, Shoreline Community College is a public college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Shoreline Community College
Located in the midsize suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Yuba College
Located in the large city of Seattle, Seattle Central is a public college with a medium-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Seattle Central College
Located in the city of Stockton, Delta is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from San Joaquin Delta College
Located in the city of Santa Barbara, SBCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Santa Barbara City College
Located in the large suburb of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons is a public college with a large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from College of the Canyons
Located in the city of Ontario, is a private for-profit college with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario
UH Maui College is a small public university located in the city of Kahului.More information about a associate in registered nursing from University of Hawaii Maui College
Located in the city of Honolulu, Kapiolani CC is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Kapiolani Community College
Located in the suburb of Kirkland, LWTech is a public school with a small student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Located in the city of Fresno, Fresno City College is a public college with a very large student population.More information about a associate in registered nursing from Fresno City College
Here are some additional great schools for Registered Nursing students in the Far Western US Region that almost earned our Best Registered Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | Visalia, CA |
| 26 | Sacramento City College | Sacramento, CA |
| 27 | Victor Valley College | Victorville, CA |
| 28 | College of the Desert | Palm Desert, CA |
| 29 | Moorpark College | Moorpark, CA |
| 30 | Walla Walla Community College | Walla Walla, WA |
| 31 | Ventura College | Ventura, CA |
| 32 | Grossmont College | El Cajon, CA |
| 33 | College of San Mateo | San Mateo, CA |
| 34 | Wenatchee Valley College | Wenatchee, WA |
| 35 | Lower Columbia College | Longview, WA |
| 36 | Rio Hondo College | Whittier, CA |
| 37 | Evergreen Valley College | San Jose, CA |
| 38 | College of the Sequoias | Visalia, CA |
| 39 | Saddleback College | Mission Viejo, CA |
| 40 | Santa Ana College | Santa Ana, CA |
Explore the best registered nursing colleges for a specific state in the Far Western US Region .
| State | Colleges | Degrees Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| California | 405 | 5,581 |
| Washington | 288 | 1,825 |
| Oregon | 260 | 608 |
| Nevada | 185 | 519 |
| Hawaii | 79 | 135 |
Registered Nursing is one of 23 different types of Nursing programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Nursing Practice | 112 |
