2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which nursing program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp 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 Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 61 schools in California to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for nursing students. Factors related to overall quality of the school, post-graduation earnings, average student debt, and more accumulated were considered when coming up with this list.
View our full ranking methodology.
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Top Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Merced College to be the best school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in California.
Students from California who attend Merced Community College District full time pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,444. Associate Degree recipients from Merced Community College District accumulate an average of $10,503 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Merced Community College District, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Modesto Junior College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
In-state students pay an average of $1,274 in tuition and fees if they attend MJC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,550. Associate Degree recipients from MJC accumulate an average of $11,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at MJC. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Pacific Union College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best nursing schools in California.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $32,103 to cover tuition and fees at PUC. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $28,513 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since PUC does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Butte College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Students from California who attend Butte College full time pay an average of $1,368 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,848. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,685 in student loans.
Butte College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Out of the 61 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Mount Saint Mary’s University landed the # 5 spot on the list.
If you want to attend MSMU, expect to pay an average of $45,388 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $24,268 in student loans.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MSMU does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
San Joaquin Delta College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
Associate Degree recipients from Delta accumulate an average of $12,761 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Delta does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #7, Cabrillo College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cabrillo College is $1,262. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,630.
Cabrillo College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 53% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cuesta College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Students from California who attend Cuesta College full time pay an average of $1,338 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,702. On average, associate degree students take out $10,466 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cuesta College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
West Hills College-Lemoore landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
On average, associate degree students take out $13,643 in loans while pursuing their degree.
West Hills College-Lemoore does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Yuba College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Yuba College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,488. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,195 in student loans.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Yuba College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 39% took at least some of their classes online.
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list.
Students from California who attend SRJC full time pay an average of $1,328 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,952. Associate Degree recipients from SRJC accumulate an average of $12,716 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at SRJC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 70% took at least some of their classes online.
Santa Barbara City College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at SBCC is $1,232. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,912. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,459 in student loans.
SBCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. During the 2019-2020 year, about 59% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Ventura College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
Students from California who attend Ventura College full time pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,398. Associate Degree recipients from Ventura College accumulate an average of $14,425 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Ventura College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #14, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mt. SAC is $1,352. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,032. On average, associate degree students take out $10,559 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Mt. SAC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 69% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #15, Sacramento City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
Associate Degree recipients from Sacramento City accumulate an average of $14,875 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Sacramento City, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 62% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fresno City College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Fresno City College is $1,304. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,504. Associate Degree recipients from Fresno City College accumulate an average of $8,252 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Fresno City College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 37% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
College of the Sequoias landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
In-state students pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Sequoias full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,338. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Sequoias accumulate an average of $11,085 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at College of the Sequoias. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.
Riverside City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #18 on the list.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Riverside City College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,120. On average, associate degree students take out $10,247 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Riverside City College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
American River College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Associate Degree recipients from American River accumulate an average of $14,093 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
American River does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 62% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Canyons came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
In-state students pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Canyons full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,682. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,439 in student loans.
One thing to take note of is that College of the Canyons does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 55% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Mendocino College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Mendocino College is $1,423. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,443. Associate Degree recipients from Mendocino College accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Mendocino College does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #22, Glendale Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at GCC is $1,171. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,531. Associate Degree recipients from GCC accumulate an average of $14,878 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at GCC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 58% took at least some of their classes online.
Moorpark College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Moorpark College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,398. Associate Degree recipients from Moorpark College accumulate an average of $17,214 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that Moorpark College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 89% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Napa Valley College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Napa Valley College is $1,150. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,734. Associate Degree recipients from Napa Valley College accumulate an average of $12,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Napa Valley College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 93% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #25, Bakersfield College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree.
In-state students pay an average of $1,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Bakersfield College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,380. Associate Degree recipients from Bakersfield College accumulate an average of $15,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Bakersfield College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 97% took at least some of their classes online.
Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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