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Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

42 Colleges
$41,121 Avg Salary
$14,988 Avg Student Debt

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

In 2021-2022, practical nursing & 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 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 42 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular associate degree programs for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Colleges.

#1

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

Our analysis found Unitek College to be the most popular school for practical nursing & nursing assistants students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. Located in the large suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Of the 333 students majoring in practical nursing at Unitek College, 14% are male and 86% are female.

While working on their Associate Degree, practical nursing majors at Unitek College accumulate an average of around $14,920 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $206.

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

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the midsize city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

Of the 155 students majoring in practical nursing at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts, 16% are male and 84% are female.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out $18,427 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts

Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Carrington College, Sacramento landed the # 3 spot on the list. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Sacramento.

About 90% of the students majoring in practical nursing at the school are women while 10% are male.

Practical Nursing majors at Carrington College, Sacramento take out an average of $20,195 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

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

#4

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA

Out of the 42 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Pacific College is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the midsize city of Costa Mesa.

About 94% of the students majoring in practical nursing at the school are women while 6% are male.

After completing their Associate Degree, practical nursing graduates from Pacific College carry an average student debt load of $11,750.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Pacific College Report

#5

Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Long Beach City College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach.

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#6

Citrus College

Glendora, CA

Citrus College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Citrus College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Glendora.

About 82% of the students majoring in practical nursing at the school are women while 18% are male.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Citrus College Report

#7

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Located in the large city of Riverside, Riverside City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

Women make up 95% of the practical nursing majors at the school.

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San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for practical nursing & nursing assistants students to get a associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia is a small private for-profit school located in the rural area of Visalia.

Of the 52 students majoring in practical nursing at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia, 6% are male and 94% are female.

The average amount in student loans that practical nursing majors at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia take out while working on their Associate Degree is $19,804.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Report

#8

Southwestern College

Chula Vista, CA

Southwestern College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. SWC Chula Vista is a large public school located in the city of Chula Vista.

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

#10

Allan Hancock College

Santa Maria, CA

Allan Hancock College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree practical nursing & nursing assistants programs. Allan Hancock College is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Maria.

Of the 35 students majoring in practical nursing at Allan Hancock College, 11% are male and 89% are female.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Allan Hancock College Report

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

Explore all the Most Popular 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 45,031
Nursing Assistant/Aide and Patient Care Assistant/Aide 35,655
Other Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants 4,653

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 319,502

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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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