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 2023 rankings named Merced College the best school in California for nursing students working on their associate degree. This fairly large public school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 1,615 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Merced Community College District full time pay an average of $1,194 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,890.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Merced Community College District does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Out of the 61 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Modesto Junior College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in Modesto, California, the fairly large public school handed out 2,385 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,276 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MJC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $7,308.
MJC 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. In fact, around 84% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Pacific Union College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. PUC is located in Angwin, California and has a very small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 103 associate degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees at PUC is $33,678. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $27,608 in loans while pursuing their degree.
One thing to take note of is that PUC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 61% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Butte College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,193 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Butte College full time pay an average of $1,336 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,816. Associate Degree recipients from Butte College accumulate an average of $12,921 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Butte College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 81% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
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. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out associate degrees to 121 students in 2021-2022.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $46,740 to cover tuition and fees at MSMU. 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 $19,027 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at MSMU. In fact, around 86% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #6, San Joaquin Delta College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school awarded 3,631 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
Online courses are available at Delta, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 98% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Cabrillo 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 #7 on the list. Cabrillo College is a medium-sized public school situated in Aptos, California. It awarded 1,994 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,262 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Cabrillo College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,630.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cabrillo College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 88% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Cuesta College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school situated in San Luis Obispo, California. It awarded 2,629 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Cuesta College is $1,340. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,348. On average, associate degree students take out $17,988 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Cuesta College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #9, West Hills College-Lemoore did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Lemoore, California, the small public school awarded 767 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2021-2022.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,678 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. In 2020-2021 about 76% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Yuba 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 #10 on the list. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,330 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Yuba College full time pay an average of $1,128 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,488.
Yuba College 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 2020-2021 year, about 79% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. SRJC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 2,210 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,318 in tuition and fees if they attend SRJC full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $9,310. Associate Degree recipients from SRJC accumulate an average of $15,618 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at SRJC. In 2020-2021 about 85% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Santa Barbara City College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. SBCC is located in Santa Barbara, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,590 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,234 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SBCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from SBCC accumulate an average of $17,141 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
SBCC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 80% took at least some of their classes online.
Ventura 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 #13 on the list. Ventura College is a fairly large public school situated in Ventura, California. It awarded 2,456 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Ventura College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,146. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,615 in student loans.
Online courses are available at Ventura College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 91% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.
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. This large public school is located in Walnut, California, and it awarded 3,780 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,352 in tuition and fees if they attend Mt. SAC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,096. On average, associate degree students take out $12,514 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 10% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Sacramento, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,884 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from Sacramento City accumulate an average of $12,597 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Sacramento City does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 94% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #16, Fresno City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Fresno City College is a large public school located in Fresno, California that handed out 2,386 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,330 in tuition and fees if they attend Fresno City College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,890. On average, associate degree students take out $4,603 in loans while pursuing 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, 88% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of the Sequoias came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 1,782 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend College of the Sequoias. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $8,338. On average, associate degree students take out $9,218 in loans while pursuing their degree.
College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 75% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
With a ranking of #18, Riverside City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in Riverside, California that handed out 4,256 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,420 in tuition and fees if they attend Riverside City College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,000. Associate Degree recipients from Riverside City College accumulate an average of $9,847 in student debt by the time they complete 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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
American River College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. This large public school is located in Sacramento, California, and it awarded 2,570 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Associate Degree recipients from American River accumulate an average of $12,842 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
American River 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 82% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #20 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Clarita, California, and it awarded 3,257 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,162 in tuition and fees if they attend College of the Canyons full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,322. Associate Degree recipients from College of the Canyons accumulate an average of $13,145 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at College of the Canyons, 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 2020-2021 academic year, around 69% took at least some of their classes online.
Mendocino College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Mendocino College is a small public school situated in Ukiah, California. It awarded 471 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Mendocino College full time pay an average of $1,423 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,893. Associate Degree recipients from Mendocino College accumulate an average of $15,245 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mendocino College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 68% took at least some of their classes online.
Glendale Community College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Located in Glendale, California, the fairly large public school handed out 1,252 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,171 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend GCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,438. Associate Degree recipients from GCC accumulate an average of $11,282 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at GCC. During the 2020-2021 year, about 65% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #23, Moorpark College did quite well on this year’s best schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Moorpark, California, the fairly large public school handed out 3,379 associate degree awards in 2021-2022.
Students from California who attend Moorpark College full time pay an average of $1,394 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,146. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,129 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Moorpark College. During the 2020-2021 year, about 92% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Napa Valley 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 #24 on the list. Napa Valley College is located in Napa, California and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 612 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,156 in tuition and fees if they attend Napa Valley College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,388.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Napa Valley College. In 2020-2021 about 83% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bakersfield College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree nursing programs. Bakersfield College is a large public school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 5,341 associate degrees in 2021-2022.
In-state students pay an average of $1,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Bakersfield College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,560. Associate Degree recipients from Bakersfield College accumulate an average of $11,201 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bakersfield College. In 2020-2021 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
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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