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Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

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2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

22 Colleges
$41,222 Avg Salary
$20,983 Avg Student Debt

Finding the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree School for You

With 1,055 degrees and certificates handed out in 2020-2021, practical nursing and nursing assistants is the #90 most popular major in California.

It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools with offerings that you might find attractive.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 22 schools in California to see which associate degree programs offered the best educational experiences for 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.

2023 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California

The colleges and universities below are the best for practical nursing majors pursuing a associate degree.

Top 10 Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools

Our 2023 rankings named Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts the best school in California for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their associate degree. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a small private for-profit school located in the city of San Mateo.

After completing their Associate Degree, practical nursing graduates from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts carry an average student debtload of $18,804.

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#2

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Unitek College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Unitek College is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Fremont.

On average, practical nursing graduates from Unitek College take out $20,602 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $184.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Unitek College Report

#3

Pacific College

Costa Mesa, CA

Out of the 22 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Located in the medium-sized city of Costa Mesa, Pacific College is a private for-profit college with a fairly small student population.

Practical Nursing majors at Pacific College take out an average of $20,773 in student loans while working on their Associate Degree.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Pacific College

Out of the 22 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Carrington College, Sacramento landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in the large suburb of Sacramento, Carrington College, Sacramento is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their Associate Degree, practical nursing graduates from Carrington College, Sacramento carry an average student debtload of $31,342.

Read full report on Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Carrington College, Sacramento

#5

Merced College

Merced, CA

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Merced College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California list. Located in the city of Merced, Merced Community College District is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Merced College Report

#7

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA

Cuesta College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best associate degree practical nursing and nursing assistants programs. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, Cuesta College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Cuesta College Report

#8

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, CA

Sacramento City College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sacramento City is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Sacramento City College Report

#9

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA

Riverside City College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Nursing & Nursing Assistants Associate Degree Schools in California ranking. Riverside City College is a large public school located in the city of Riverside.

While working on their Associate Degree, practical nursing majors at Riverside City College accumulate an average of around $7,686 in student debt.

Full Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants at Riverside City College Report

#10

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA

With a ranking of #10, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s best schools for practical nursing and nursing assistants students working on their associate degree. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, SBCC is a public college with a fairly large student population.

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Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants Colleges in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 113
Nevada 0

Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants is one of 30 different types of programs to choose from.

Majors Similar to Practical Nursing

Related Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 22 schools only.

  • 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 the rest 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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