West Coast University

LL143KnB, BSN, RN · Mar 13, 2014

Projecting much? What ridiculous comments are you talking about? What's ridiculous is that tuition. Only one poster made a comment about the caliber of a student who would choose to attend such a school. The rest of us commented on the price of the program. I stand by what I said that's way too much to pay. At the end of the day it's your money and your education and you'll be the one responsible for paying that money back. You don't need any validation or reassurance from us. If you have done your research and believe that this is what you want to do I wish you the best of luck!

mp86 · Mar 13, 2014

First of all there is NOT a nursing instructor shortage. My wife is an instructor and the reason why the schools are admitting fewer and fewer people is because there are so many new grades out their unemployed; consequently, the government cuts fundings for nursing programs. Less funding means fewer students, very simple.

Second, WCU has one of the worst pass rates in California. If I would pay that kind of money for a nursing degree then they better have a 100% precent pass rate. Here are pass rates from the last two year and there is only one acceptable pass rate which is the 86.15% but in my opinion not even that is acceptable when you pay that kind of money.

West Coast University - Inland Empire - ADN 2011/2012: 61.53% 2012/2013: 75%

West Coast University - Inland Empire - BSN 2011/2012: 71.95% 2012/2013:73.9%

West Coast University - Los Angeles - ADN 2011/2012: 76% 2012/2013: 50%

West Coast University - Los Angeles - BSN 2011/2012: 86.15% 2012/2013: 78.45%

It is good when you can live frugal for 2 years but I would rather spend that money to buy a house, since I can get the same education for 20 times cheaper.

I don't know, but knowing those pass rates and the money somebody has to pay and he/she still decides to go there, doesn't seem to be an educated decision for me.

But like LL143KnB said, in the end it is your decision. I just don't like to say something good about something that is not good at all, and in this case statistics don't lie.

OCRN3 · Mar 13, 2014

I think this post should be directed to those living in Southern California. I know people who waited over 6 years to get into a ADN program. So it's like is the wasted time worth the cost? In the LA and OC area the average nurse makes 65-90 thousand a year to start... Is it worth 140,000 of education or wait 6 years? I would just get my education. The waiting game is a waste of money too. Working at McDonalds for 20-30 thousand a year is also a waste. West Coast has a pretty good rep in The OC, and I have worked with a lot of the LVN to BSN grads too. They are well prepared, mostly because I think the school has a 3 million dollar SIM lab where a manikin actually sweats!!! Anyway, if it's your dream and willing to sacrifice u plus go for it!

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

mp86 · Mar 13, 2014

Btw. 1sildiaz I don't think that anybody is judging you. You ask a question and people gave you their honest opinion. If I would make a decision like that and I would ask people for their opinion, then they better be straight up honest to me. Since a decision like that where so much money in the game, can change your whole life.

Stephalump · Mar 14, 2014

The estimated book cost is equivalent to my entire tuition! Mind. Blown.

tterry60 · Mar 14, 2014

I am a graduate from WCU and no I could not get a loan without a cosigner but that is because I was a server at a restaurant when I entered school. Which would not give me substantial income/credit to support that kind of a loan. I chose to go to WCU or as all of you are calling it "overpriced" school because in California I could have been like my other friends or my sisters friend who waited six years to get into a program and I did not have time to waste. I had been independent at a very young age and needed to start my career that I am so passionate about as quickly as possible to continue to support myself living in California. Myself along with 97 other graduates made it through wcu's program in November of 2013. Despite the Crazyness going on with the state boards new system WCU stuck by our sides and continued to offer review class after review class for FREE and much needed support as some of us waited 3 months or more to recieve our ATT. I recieved my ATT in February tested on February 3rd and had my first day on the job on February 26th because of the tools I was given during school. I love my career and the profession if paying the extra money is worth it to you go check out WCU. I have two sisters who are attending their program and countless friends as well. WCU is a great option that I am very happy I chose.

tterry60 · Mar 14, 2014

I hope you saw my post amongst all the hatred I loved my decision to go to west coast just be prepared for hard work and dedication like never before! If that's the choice you make to go there be happy with it because I am :)

16mm · Mar 14, 2014

For that kind of money you could go to an out of state nursing program with better NCLEX pass rates and no waiting lists. You could even take out a loan for living expenses so you didn't have to work and it would still probably be less than half of what this school is charging.

I apologize if it seems I'm just adding to the negative comments. It's just my honest opinion. That is a **** of money to pay for an education you can get at 1/20th the price. And trust me I used to live in CA, I know how impacted and expensive everything is already. I know that new grad nurses start out making more than average because of the high cost of living. But still, CA has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Can you imagine taking out a loan like this and then not being able to get a job?

13grad71 · Mar 15, 2014

I too don't think its a good idea to got to these private school. However, I know people who thinks it is totally justified. Friends say it is ok as they would be working and earning to pay off loans while others are stuck doing prereq and waiting to get into impacted public colleges.

slicksGIRL · Mar 15, 2014

Coming from someone who was also desperate and wanting to get into a BSN program right away, I, too considered WCU. I backed out the last minute cus the more I thought about it.. the scarier it sounded when it came to the loans. I was scared because while I was in LVN school I worked ALL weekend just to be able to pay $240 every month for loans. And I remember HATING the fact that I would have nothing left on my paycheck cus on too of that, I still had other bills to pay. Now, with the kind of loan I'm gonna be taking out for WCU would be much higher.. And I jst didn't wanna have that feeling for working long and stressful hours and unable to enjoy my money.. Cus I have to pay my loans. I was once told never to take out $$ that is more than what you're expecting to make as a new grad.

As an LVN, I was going to their bridge program and I was already done with my prereqs so the $132k was cut down REALLY low. Even so, I was sketchy. Everyone is different, people have different experiences and perspective so really the decision is yours. Some people are able to pay their loans off quickly. But in my opinion I couldn't imagine doing so.

Take what everyone says with a grain a salt.

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 18, 2014

Moved to the California Nursing forum.

matthewandrew, NP · Mar 18, 2014

West Coast University has got to be the most expensive degree mill on the planet. This school seriously degrades the BSN degree. I don't care what students from this for-profit institution says, anyone claiming to be a grad from this school will always be questioned why they paid more than a HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars (give or take) for a nursing degree... Nursing school admission should be competitive and held to the highest requirement standards. Having a pulse as the minimum requirement (exaggeration) is a joke.