What Is It Known For?
North-West College was founded in 1966 by a family with deep ties to the medical field dating back to the early 1950s. It began with just 43 students and has since expanded into a network of campuses across California and Nevada. New locations were added over the years in Pomona, Pasadena (now Van Nuys), Glendale, Riverside, Santa Ana (now Anaheim), and Long Beach, along with the acquisition of Glendale Career College and Nevada Career Institute.
With more than 45,000 graduates, North-West College has built a long-standing reputation for preparing students for meaningful careers in healthcare and technical professions. Current enrollment figures are not publicly listed, but prospective students can reach out to the college for details.
Degrees & Certifications
North-West College provides certificate programs, associate degree programs, and bachelor’s degree programs. Program lengths vary depending on the type of credential and field of study. Available programs include:
- Massage Therapist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Associate Degree in Nursing
- Dental Assistant
- Surgincal Technology
- B.S. Nursing (RN to BSN)
- And Much More!
Class Schedules
The college provides flexible day and evening classes for most healthcare programs, so students can choose schedules that fit their lives. Many programs, such as Vocational Nursing, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, and Surgical Technology, include hands-on clinical or externship experience as part of the training. North-West College also offers online or distance-education options for select programs, including Online Medical Billing & Coding.
Is It a Good School?
Yes. North-West College campuses hold accreditation that varies by location. The West Covina, Pomona, Van Nuys, Glendale, Riverside, Anaheim, and Long Beach campuses are accredited by the ACCSC, while the Marsha Fuerst School of Nursing (West Covina and Riverside) and the San Diego and Bakersfield campuses are accredited by ABHES.
Acceptance Rate
Information about the school’s acceptance rate is not publicly available.
How Much Does Tuition Cost?
According to the school’s most recent catalog, program costs vary by location and type. The Massage Therapy program starts at $17,685, while the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Associate of Occupational Science (DMS-AOS) program reaches $49,350. Other programs fall within this range. For a complete view of program costs, including books and supplies, students should use the school’s net price calculator.
Programs & Courses
Healthcare
- Dental Assistant
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Massage Therapist
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Insurance Biller & Coder
- Pharmacy Technician
- Surgical Technology
- Vocational Nursing
- Associate of Science in Health Care Administration
- RN to BSN
Campus Locations
West Covina 2121 W. Garvey Ave. North West Covina, CA 91790
West Covina 2029 West Garvey Ave. North West Covina, CA 91790
Pomona 134 W. Holt Ave. Pomona, CA 91768
Van Nuys 14540 Haynes Street Van Nuys, CA 91411
Glendale 221 N. Brand Blvd. Lower Lvl. Glendale, CA 91203
Riverside 4550 La Sierra Avenue Riverside, CA 92505
Riverside 4601 La Sierra Avenue Riverside, CA 92505
Anaheim 511 N. Brookhurst St. Anaheim, CA 92801
Long Beach 3799 E Burnett St. Long Beach, CA 90815
San Diego 6106 Arosa St San Diego, CA 92115
Bakersfield 3000 Ming Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93304
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, North-West College (NWC) – West Covina is generally a highly-rated, supportive career college with strong programs in Medical Assisting and Surgical Technology. The majority of feedback praises the staff and instructors for being caring, knowledgeable, and helpful. However, the institution’s most prominent program, Vocational Nursing (LVN), receives serious warnings from recent student reviews, indicating potential concerns about internal organization and the student experience within that specific, high-stakes course.
Overall Score: 4.4/5 Stars
Common Praises
Exceptional and Caring Staff/Admissions: The admissions staff are frequently described as “phenomenal,” “incredibly patient,” and “helpful,” making the enrollment process “smooth and stress-free.”
Supportive and Knowledgeable Instructors: Teachers in the certificate programs (Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Tech, Surgical Tech) are consistently praised as “amazing,” “knowledgeable,” and “supportive.”
Positive School Environment: Students feel “welcomed” and find the staff and reps to be “truly dedicated in helping you succeed.”
Strong Career-Focused Programs: Programs like Surgical Tech and Medical Assisting are highly recommended, with students reporting instructors who build them up to be “strong future surgical techs.”
Common Criticisms
Severe Warnings for the LVN Program: There are several explicit, highly-rated recent warnings telling prospective students to “reconsider” or “Just DONT” enroll in the LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) course.
General Organizational/Communication Issues: Less severe, but general complaints mention the institution can be “super disorganized,” and communication can be a “hiccup” from time to time.
Program Disparity: The review data suggests a strong divide in satisfaction between the shorter certificate programs and the more demanding Vocational Nursing program.
Momentum
North-West College – West Covina has strong positive momentum for its short-term, certificate programs (like Medical Assisting and Surgical Tech), evidenced by recent, enthusiastic reviews praising the faculty and the smooth admissions process. However, this is significantly undermined by the highly visible, negative momentum directed specifically at the LVN program, suggesting that while the school has mastered its certificate offerings, it may be struggling with the logistics and student support required for its longer, most critical vocational nursing degree. Prospective students should treat the LVN program warnings as a major red flag while viewing the career certificates as generally successful.