2023 Best Value Nursing 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.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Nursing Degree Search has created the Best Value Nursing Schools in California to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 105 schools in California to see which ones offered the best value 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 Schools in California
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Merced College to be the best value school for nursing students in California. Merced College is a medium-sized public school located in Merced, California that handed out 70 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. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $9,785 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Merced Community College District graduates make an average of $54,460 annually.
As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Merced Community College District also is in the top 15% of our Best Nursing Schools in California ranking.
Out of the 105 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 awarded 115 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
MJC undergraduate students pay an average of $8,550 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,193 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MJC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,887 during the early year of their career.
MJC also claimed a spot on our Best Nursing Schools in California list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means San Joaquin Delta College is a great place for nursing students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Delta is a fairly large public school situated in Stockton, California. It awarded 123 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Delta are $9,072 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,629 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Delta graduates make an average of $31,671 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Cabrillo College. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California list. Located in Aptos, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cabrillo College are $8,630 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,746 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Cabrillo College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $53,254 during the early year of their career.
Out of the 105 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Butte College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in Oroville, California, the medium-sized public school handed out 191 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Butte College are $7,848 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,178 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Butte College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,786 during the early year of their career.
West Hills College-Lemoore came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small public school situated in Lemoore, California. It awarded 38 degrees in 2020-2021.
West Hills College-Lemoore undergraduate students pay an average of $10,590 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $13,437 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, West Hills College-Lemoore graduates make an average of $36,696 annually.
Yuba College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California list. Yuba College is a public institution located in Marysville, California. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $9,974 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Yuba College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $85,607 during the early year of their career.
Cuesta College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #8 on the list. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in San Luis Obispo, California that handed out 103 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Cuesta College are $8,702 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,466 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Cuesta College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,355 during the early year of their career.
Santa Barbara City College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 71 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, students take out $18,628 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, SBCC graduates make an average of $53,400 annually.
Ventura College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California list. Ventura College is a public institution located in Ventura, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 82 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ventura College are $7,398 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,425 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Ventura College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,968 during the early years of their career.
Mt. San Antonio College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California list. Walnut, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 110 students in 2020-2021.
Mt. SAC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,032 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $10,903 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Mt. SAC graduates make an average of $41,883 annually.
Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #12 on the list. Santa Rosa, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 161 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRJC are $8,952 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,715 in student loans. During the early years of their career, SRJC graduates make an average of $63,295 annually.
Glendale Community College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. Located in Glendale, California, the fairly large public school awarded 174 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at GCC are $7,531 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $17,310 in student loans.After graduating from GCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,295 during the early years of their career.
Fresno City College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Located in Fresno, California, the large public school handed out 202 degrees in 2020-2021.
Fresno City College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,504 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $9,037 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Fresno City College graduates make an average of $37,728 annually.
College of the Sequoias came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school situated in Visalia, California. It awarded 262 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at College of the Sequoias are $8,338 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,085 in student loans. During the early years of their career, College of the Sequoias graduates make an average of $34,164 annually.
Sacramento City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for nursing students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Sacramento, California, the fairly large public school awarded 102 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Sacramento City undergraduate students pay an average of $10,168 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $14,875 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Sacramento City, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $56,334 during the early years of their career.
College of the Canyons came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. College of the Canyons is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Clarita, California. It awarded 76 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 degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,173 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, College of the Canyons graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,317 during the early year of their career.
Mendocino College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. Mendocino College is located in Ukiah, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 degrees to qualified students.
Mendocino College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,443 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,626 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Mendocino College graduates make an average of $60,370 annually.
Riverside City College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. This fairly large public school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 322 degrees in 2020-2021.
Riverside City College undergraduate students pay an average of $10,120 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $12,079 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Riverside City College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,562 during the early years of their career.
American River College landed the #20 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. American River is located in Sacramento, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 96 degrees to qualified students.
American River undergraduate students pay an average of $10,168 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,787 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from American River, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,651 during the early years of their career.
Napa Valley College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Nursing Schools in California list. Napa Valley College is located in Napa, California and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 degrees to qualified students.
Napa Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $8,734 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,735 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Napa Valley College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $64,681 during the early year of their career.
Moorpark College landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. Moorpark College is a fairly large public school located in Moorpark, California that handed out 68 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Moorpark College are $7,398 a year. On average, students take out $17,214 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Moorpark College graduates make an average of $49,180 annually.
College of Marin came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. College of Marin is a small public school situated in Kentfield, California. It awarded 41 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at College of Marin are $9,864 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,546 in student loans. During the early years of their career, College of Marin graduates make an average of $81,414 annually.
Antelope Valley College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Nursing Schools in California ranking. Located in Lancaster, California, the fairly large public school awarded 111 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Antelope Valley College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,980 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,800 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Antelope Valley College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,833 during the early year of their career.
Santa Monica College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value nursing programs. SMC is located in Santa Monica, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SMC are $9,090 per year. On average, students take out $13,428 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from SMC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,951 during the early years of their career.
Best Value Nursing 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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