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