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Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

22 Colleges
$41,222 Avg Salary
$20,983 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree School for You

In 2020-2021, practical nursing and nursing assistants students earned 1,055 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.

There are so many nursing programs in today's world that it can tough to figure out which one is the right one for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 22 schools in California to see which ones offered the best associate degree programs for nursing students. The factors used to develop this ranking include those related to how in-demand the school is, the overall quality of the school, and post-graduation wages, and more.

View our full ranking methodology.

2023 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

Check out the practical nursing associate degree programs at these schools if you want to get the best education that money can buy.

Top 10 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools

Our 2023 rankings named Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts the best school in California for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out $18,804 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Report

#2

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Unitek College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their Associate Degree, practical nursing majors at Unitek College accumulate an average of around $20,602 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $184, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College

#3

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA

Out of the 22 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Pacific College is a small private for-profit school located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa.

After completing their Associate Degree, practical nursing graduates from Pacific College carry an average student debtload of $20,773.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Pacific College Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Carrington College, Sacramento. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Sacramento.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Carrington College, Sacramento take out $31,342 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento

#5

Merced College

Merced, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Merced College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Merced Community College District is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of Merced.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Merced College Report

#7

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for practical nursing and nursing assistants students to get a associate degree. It came in at #7 on the list. Cuesta College is a moderately-sized public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.

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#8

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Sacramento City is a large public school located in the city of Sacramento.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City College Report

#9

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public school with a large student population.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at Riverside City College take out while working on their Associate Degree is $7,686.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Riverside City College Report

#10

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for practical nursing and nursing assistants students to get a associate degree. It came in at #10 on the list. SBCC is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Santa Barbara.

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Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 113
Nevada 0

Practical Nursing Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Training 44,900
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 34,557
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,817

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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