2023 Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Prices
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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Nursing Degree Search has developed this Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 61 schools in California to see which ones offered the best value associate degree programs for nursing students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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Top Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Merced College the best value school in California for nursing students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 66 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Merced Community College District are $7,444 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,503 in student loans.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Merced Community College District. In fact, around 97% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Merced Community College District did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Modesto Junior College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. MJC is a public institution located in Modesto, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 112 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MJC are $8,550 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $11,121 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
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. During the 2019-2020 year, about 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
MJC also took the #2 spot in our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California rankings.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Butte College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Butte College is a public institution located in Oroville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 114 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,848 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $16,685 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Butte College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In fact, around 33% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, Butte College is ranked #4 for overall quality in California.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend San Joaquin Delta College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Stockton, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 123 students in 2020-2021.
Delta undergraduate students pay an average of $9,072 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,761 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Delta. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
In addition to its great value ranking, Delta is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Cabrillo College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree who want the most bang for their educational buck. Located in Aptos, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 68 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 a year.
Cabrillo College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 53% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Cabrillo College also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Cuesta College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 54 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $10,466 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at Cuesta College, 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 96% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Cuesta College also did well on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
West Hills College-Lemoore landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. West Hills College-Lemoore is a public institution located in Lemoore, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
West Hills College-Lemoore undergraduate students pay an average of $10,590 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $13,643 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 West Hills College-Lemoore does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, West Hills College-Lemoore also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking.
Yuba College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Yuba College are $7,488 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,195 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you 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.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Yuba College also did well on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #9, Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. SRJC is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Rosa, California. It awarded 55 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $12,716 in loans while pursuing their degree.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since SRJC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 70% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRJC also did well on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #10, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Santa Barbara City College is a fairly large public school located in Santa Barbara, California that handed out 71 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at SBCC are $8,912 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $21,459 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Online courses are available at SBCC, 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 59% took at least some of their classes online.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, SBCC also did well on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Ventura College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #11 on the list. Ventura College is located in Ventura, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 82 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ventura College are $7,398 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,425 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Ventura College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 79% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
In addition to its great value ranking, Ventura College is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list.
Mt. San Antonio College landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Walnut, California, the large public school awarded 110 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mt. SAC are $10,032 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,559 in student debt by the time they complete 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 fact, around 69% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Sacramento City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Sacramento, California, the fairly large public school awarded 81 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Sacramento City are $10,168 a year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,875 in loans while pursuing their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Sacramento City. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Fresno City College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school handed out 202 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Fresno City College are $8,504 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $8,252 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Fresno City College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 37% took at least some of their classes online.
College of the Sequoias did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #15 on the list. Located in Visalia, California, the fairly large public school awarded 89 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of the Sequoias are $8,338 per year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,085 in student loans.
College of the Sequoias 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 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Riverside City College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Riverside City College is a fairly large public school located in Riverside, California that handed out 196 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Riverside City College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,120 in tuition and fees each year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $10,247 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. In 2019-2020 about 37% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
American River College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. Located in Sacramento, California, the large public school awarded 65 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at American River are $10,168 per year. On average, associate degree students take out $14,093 in loans while pursuing their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at American River. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 62% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
College of the Canyons came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school located in Santa Clarita, California that handed out 76 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
College of the Canyons undergraduate students pay an average of $8,682 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,439 in student loans.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at College of the Canyons. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 55% took at least some of their classes online.
Mendocino College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value associate degree nursing programs. This small public school is located in Ukiah, California, and it awarded 23 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mendocino College are $8,443 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Online courses are available at Mendocino College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 98% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #20, Glendale Community College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. GCC is located in Glendale, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 87 associate degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GCC are $7,531 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,878 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
One thing to take note of is that GCC does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 58% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Moorpark College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Moorpark, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moorpark College are $7,398 a year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,214 in student loans.
Moorpark College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.
With a ranking of #22, Napa Valley College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Napa Valley College is a small public school located in Napa, California that handed out 43 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $8,734 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $12,735 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 Napa Valley College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 93% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #23, Bakersfield College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Bakersfield College is a public institution located in Bakersfield, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 133 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bakersfield College are $9,380 per year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $15,475 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Bakersfield College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 97% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Antelope Valley College is a fairly large public school situated in Lancaster, California. It awarded 102 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Antelope Valley College are $6,980 a year. Associate Degree recipients from this school accumulate an average of $14,884 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Antelope Valley College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 24% took at least some of their classes online.
College of Marin did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. College of Marin is a small public school located in Kentfield, California that handed out 41 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
College of Marin undergraduate students pay an average of $9,864 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,546 in student loans.
College of Marin 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 2019-2020 about 28% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Best Value 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
- 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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