2023 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
It's not easy to decide which nursing program to enroll in when you have so many options available. 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 Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 103 schools in California to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for nursing students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Unitek College to be the most popular school for nursing students who want to pursue a associate degree in California. This small private for-profit school is located in Fremont, California, and it awarded 258 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Unitek College accumulate an average of $23,323 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Unitek College is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
The excellent associate degree programs at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular nursing schools in California. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit institution located in San Mateo, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 238 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts accumulate an average of $21,393 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 89% were women.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts does offer online classes for certain degree levels. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 24% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Fresno City College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Fresno City College is a public institution located in Fresno, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 202 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,304 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Fresno City College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $8,504. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,252 in student loans. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
Fresno 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. In fact, around 37% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Riverside City College is a great place for nursing students working on their associate degree. Riverside City College is located in Riverside, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 196 associate degrees to qualified students.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 79% were women.
Online courses are available at Riverside City 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 37% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Carrington College, Sacramento. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in Sacramento, California, the small private for-profit school awarded 187 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from Carrington College, Sacramento accumulate an average of $29,267 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Carrington College, Sacramento. During the 2019-2020 year, about 74% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Bakersfield College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 133 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,430 in tuition and fees if they attend Bakersfield College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to 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. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Bakersfield College. In 2019-2020 about 97% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #7, San Joaquin Delta College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Stockton, California, the fairly large public school awarded 123 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $12,761 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 68% were women.
Delta 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 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Long Beach City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, the large public school handed out 119 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,556 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Long Beach City College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,444. On average, associate degree students take out $9,172 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 81% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Long Beach City College. 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.
With a ranking of #9, Butte College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Butte College is located in Oroville, California and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 114 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Butte College full time pay an average of $1,368 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,848. On average, associate degree students take out $16,685 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 76% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Butte College does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 33% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Modesto Junior College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Modesto, California, the fairly large public school awarded 112 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at MJC is $1,274. 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. Of those students who received their degree, 78% were women.
Online courses are available at MJC, 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 84% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #11, Career Networks Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. This very small private for-profit school is located in Orange, California, and it awarded 111 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Associate Degree recipients from CNI College accumulate an average of $33,332 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 73% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at CNI College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
With a ranking of #12, Mt. San Antonio College did quite well on this year’s most popular 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 110 students in 2020-2021.
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. Around 69% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Mt. SAC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #13, Santa Monica College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. SMC is located in Santa Monica, California and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 106 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,146 in tuition and fees if they attend SMC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $9,090. Associate Degree recipients from SMC accumulate an average of $13,428 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at SMC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.
Antelope Valley College ranked #14 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. This fairly large public school is located in Lancaster, California, and it awarded 102 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,124 in tuition and fees if they attend Antelope Valley College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,980. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,884 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
Online courses are available at Antelope Valley 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 24% took at least some of their classes online.
San Bernardino Valley College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This medium-sized public school is located in San Bernardino, California, and it awarded 99 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,362 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend San Bernardino Valley College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,146. Associate Degree recipients from San Bernardino Valley College accumulate an average of $9,396 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 84% were women.
One thing to take note of is that San Bernardino Valley College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 95% took at least some of their classes online.
Southwestern College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Chula Vista, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 92 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $1,342 in tuition and fees if they attend SWC Chula Vista full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $9,434. Associate Degree recipients from SWC Chula Vista accumulate an average of $11,239 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.
SWC Chula Vista 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 43% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
With a ranking of #17, Pacific Union College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for nursing students working on their associate degree. Located in Angwin, California, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 91 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend PUC, expect to pay an average of $32,103 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from PUC accumulate an average of $28,513 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 74% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at PUC. In 2019-2020 about 95% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
College of the Sequoias landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Visalia, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.
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 $11,085 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 78% of those degree recipients were women.
College of the Sequoias does offer online classes for certain degree levels. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 35% took at least some of their classes online.
Solano Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. Fairfield, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 89 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,163 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Solano College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,039. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,561 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 83% were women.
Online courses are available at Solano College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 94% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Saddleback College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Saddleback College is located in Mission Viejo, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 88 associate degrees to qualified students.
In-state students pay an average of $1,332 in tuition and fees if they attend Saddleback College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,292. Around 82% of those degree recipients were women.
Saddleback 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. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 89% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Glendale Community College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in Glendale, California, the fairly large public school handed out 87 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
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 $7,531. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,878 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
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.
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree nursing programs. This small private for-profit school is located in Visalia, California, and it awarded 85 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $20,946 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 82% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia. In 2019-2020 about 68% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Golden West College ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Nursing Associate Degree Schools in California list. Golden West College is located in Huntington Beach, California and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 85 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from California who attend Golden West College full time pay an average of $1,186 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $8,554. Associate Degree recipients from Golden West College accumulate an average of $13,650 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Golden West College does offer online classes in some areas. In fact, around 77% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
American Career College - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #24 on the list. American Career College - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 84 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $29,448 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
One thing to take note of is that American Career College - Los Angeles does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 8% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Santa Ana College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for nursing students to get an associate degree. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in Santa Ana, California, the large public school awarded 83 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from California pay an average of $1,180 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend SAC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $7,684. On average, associate degree students take out $11,579 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 75% were women.
SAC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 49% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Most Popular 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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