Westcliff Acquires Pacific College Amid Growing Nurse Demand

Westcliff University has acquired Pacific College, a private nursing school in Costa Mesa, California, in a move that will expand the university’s nursing education offerings and create additional pathways from entry-level nursing programs to graduate study.

Founded in 1993, Pacific College specializes in nursing and healthcare education and offers vocational, associate, bachelor’s and master’s-level programs. The acquisition brings Pacific College into Westcliff’s broader academic portfolio and is expected to expand opportunities for collaboration across the university’s programs, employer partnerships and healthcare education initiatives.

The transaction comes as California faces continued demand for nurses and other healthcare professionals. State health officials project that California will need more than 61,000 additional registered nurses by 2033. Nationally, the nursing workforce is also expected to face a significant shortage, with more than 189,000 job openings projected through 2034.

For Westcliff, the acquisition builds on its recent expansion into nursing education. The university recently launched its College of Nursing, supported by a nursing campus in Corona, California, that includes simulation-based clinical training facilities. The addition of Pacific College will broaden the university’s nursing portfolio, including pathways from vocational and registered nursing programs through graduate-level education such as family nurse practitioner preparation.

“Pacific College has earned the trust of students, faculty and healthcare employers over the past three decades by preparing healthcare professionals who make a difference in their communities,” said Anthony Lee, president and CEO of Westcliff University. “This is more than an acquisition. It is an investment in the future of healthcare education.”

Lee said the partnership will allow Westcliff and Pacific College to combine their respective strengths while expanding access to academic programs, clinical partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration and career-focused support.

Pacific College reported a 95.83% NCLEX-RN pass rate during the 2024–25 academic year, a result that places the institution among the higher-performing nursing programs in California. Its baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), while the college holds institutional accreditation from the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

The acquisition also reflects Westcliff’s broader strategy of expanding through established educational institutions while maintaining their institutional identity and strengths.

In 2020, Westcliff acquired Western State College of Law, preserving the Orange County institution while incorporating it into the university. Westcliff said the same approach will guide its work with Pacific College as the nursing school enters a new phase of its development.

“One of the most rewarding parts of this process has been getting to know the people of Pacific College,” Lee said. “Their dedication to students, pride in the institution and passion for healthcare education are evident in everything they do.”

Pacific College’s faculty, staff and educational programs will become part of the Westcliff University community. Students will continue to have access to Pacific College’s personalized educational environment while gaining opportunities to participate in a larger university community and engage with programs and resources across multiple disciplines.

The acquisition comes as nursing education providers across the country respond to rising demand for healthcare workers and growing pressure to develop flexible pathways into the profession. For Westcliff, the addition of Pacific College represents another step in its effort to connect career-focused education with workforce needs in high-demand fields.

About Westcliff University

Westcliff University is a private institution of higher education headquartered in Irvine, California. Founded in 1993, the university offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs across more than 20 areas of study, including business, education, technology, nursing, law, computer science and engineering.

Westcliff describes its academic model as career-focused and technology-driven, with an emphasis on hands-on learning, industry engagement and AI-enhanced educational experiences. The university reports more than 10,000 students from more than 130 countries across nine campuses worldwide.

Westcliff University is organized as a California Public Benefit Corporation and has received national recognition, including inclusion on the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list and designation as a Military Friendly institution.

About Pacific College

Pacific College is a private college based in Costa Mesa, California, specializing in nursing and healthcare education. Founded in 1993, the college offers vocational, associate, bachelor’s and master’s-level programs designed to prepare students for careers in nursing and patient care.

Pacific College is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). Its baccalaureate and master’s nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).