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Best Value Health Professions Schools in California

2023 Best Value Health Professions Schools in California

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

251 Colleges
$1,298 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$49,039 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Health Professions School for You

In 2020-2021, health professions students earned 54,872 degrees and certificates from a California school, making the subject the 2nd in the state.

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Our analysis looked at 251 schools in California to see which programs offered the best value experiences for health professions students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.

This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top 25 Best California Schools for Affordable Quality in Health Professions

#1

Merced College

Merced, CA

Our 2023 rankings named Merced College the best value school in California for health professions students. Merced Community College District is a moderately-sized public school located in the small city of Merced.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Merced Community College District are $1,180 a year. Health Professions majors at Merced Community College District take out an average of $11,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Health Professions at Merced College Report

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#2

Foothill College

Los Altos Hills, CA
$1,565 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Foothill College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Health Professions Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a public college with a large student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Foothill College are $1,565 per year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Foothill College take out is $15,348.

Foothill College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Health Professions Schools in California list.

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#3

Mendocino College

Ukiah, CA
$1,423 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Mendocino College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best health professions schools in California. Located in the rural area of Ukiah, Mendocino College is a public college with a small student population.

Mendocino College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,423 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

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$1,380 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 251 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, West Hills College-Lemoore landed the # 4 spot on the list. West Hills College-Lemoore is a small public school located in the rural area of Lemoore.

West Hills College-Lemoore undergraduate students pay an average of $1,380 in in-state tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, health professions graduates from West Hills College-Lemoore carry an average student debtload of $11,805.

Full Health Professions at West Hills College-Lemoore Report

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#5

Canada College

Redwood City, CA
$1,362 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 251 schools in California that were part of this year’s ranking, Canada College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Located in the suburb of Redwood City, Canada College is a public college with a small student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Canada College are $1,362 per year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Canada College also did well on our Best Health Professions Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#6

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA

With a ranking of #6, Cuesta College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for health professions students. Cuesta College is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of San Luis Obispo.

Cuesta College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,338 in in-state tuition and fees each year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Cuesta College also is in the top 20% of our Best Health Professions Schools in California ranking.

Full Health Professions at Cuesta College Report

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#7

Santa Barbara City College

Santa Barbara, CA
$1,232 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Santa Barbara City College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for health professions students. SBCC is a fairly large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at SBCC are $1,232 a year. On average, health professions graduates from SBCC take out $16,152 in student loans while working on their degree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, SBCC also did well on our Best Health Professions Schools in California list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Health Professions at Santa Barbara City College Report

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#8

Crafton Hills College

Yucaipa, CA
$1,178 Average Tuition & Fees

Crafton Hills College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the rural area of Yucaipa, CHC is a public college with a medium-sized student population.

CHC undergraduate students pay an average of $1,178 in in-state tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, health professions majors at CHC accumulate an average of around $23,761 in student debt.

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#9

Butte College

Oroville, CA
$1,368 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #9, Butte College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for health professions students. Butte College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Oroville.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Butte College are $1,368 a year. While working on their degree, health professions majors at Butte College accumulate an average of around $16,161 in student debt.

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#10

Mt. San Antonio College

Walnut, CA
$1,352 Average Tuition & Fees

Mt. San Antonio College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Health Professions Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt. SAC is a public school with a very large student population.

Mt. SAC undergraduate students pay an average of $1,352 in in-state tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, health professions majors at Mt. SAC accumulate an average of around $12,316 in student debt.

Full Health Professions at Mt. San Antonio College Report

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#11

San Joaquin Delta College

Stockton, CA
$1,288 Average Tuition & Fees

San Joaquin Delta College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Delta is a fairly large public school located in the city of Stockton.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Delta are $1,288 a year.

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#12

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA
$1,328 Average Tuition & Fees

Santa Rosa Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #12 on the list. SRJC is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized city of Santa Rosa.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at SRJC are $1,328 a year. On average, health professions graduates from SRJC take out $12,600 in student loans while working on their degree.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRJC also did well on our Best Health Professions Schools in California list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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#13

Cabrillo College

Aptos, CA
$1,262 Average Tuition & Fees

Cabrillo College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the suburb of Aptos, Cabrillo College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Cabrillo College are $1,262 a year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Cabrillo College take out is $15,424.

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#14

Napa Valley College

Napa, CA
$1,150 Average Tuition & Fees

Napa Valley College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value health professions programs. Located in the small city of Napa, Napa Valley College is a public college with a small student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Napa Valley College are $1,150 per year.

Full Health Professions at Napa Valley College Report

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#15

Yuba College

Marysville, CA
$1,128 Average Tuition & Fees

Yuba College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Health Professions Schools in California list. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Yuba College undergraduate students pay an average of $1,128 in in-state tuition and fees each year. Health Professions majors at Yuba College take out an average of $10,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Health Professions at Yuba College Report

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#16

Gavilan College

Gilroy, CA
$1,166 Average Tuition & Fees

Gavilan College landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value health professions programs. Gavilan College is a small public school located in the suburb of Gilroy.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Gavilan College are $1,166 a year.

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#17

Modesto Junior College

Modesto, CA
$1,274 Average Tuition & Fees

Modesto Junior College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value health professions programs. Located in the midsize city of Modesto, MJC is a public school with a fairly large student population.

MJC undergraduate students pay an average of $1,274 in in-state tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at MJC take out is $8,407.

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$1,380 Average Tuition & Fees

West Hills College-Coalinga landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value health professions programs. West Hills College-Coalinga is a small public school located in the distant town of Coalinga.

West Hills College-Coalinga undergraduate students pay an average of $1,380 in in-state tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at West Hills College-Coalinga take out is $11,857.

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#19

Victor Valley College

Victorville, CA
$1,424 Average Tuition & Fees

Victor Valley College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Victor Valley College are $1,424 a year.

Full Health Professions at Victor Valley College Report

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#20

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, CA
$1,238 Average Tuition & Fees

Los Angeles City College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City College is a public college with a fairly large student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Los Angeles City College are $1,238 per year. While working on their degree, health professions majors at Los Angeles City College accumulate an average of around $12,653 in student debt.

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#21

College of the Sequoias

Visalia, CA
$1,394 Average Tuition & Fees

College of the Sequoias came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Health Professions Schools in California ranking. College of the Sequoias is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Visalia.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at College of the Sequoias are $1,394 a year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at College of the Sequoias take out is $11,905.

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#22

Sacramento City College

Sacramento, CA

With a ranking of #22, Sacramento City College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for health professions students. Sacramento City is a large public school located in the large city of Sacramento.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Sacramento City take out is $12,139.

Full Health Professions at Sacramento City College Report

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#23

Glendale Community College

Glendale, CA
$1,171 Average Tuition & Fees

Glendale Community College came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Health Professions Schools in California ranking. GCC is a large public school located in the medium-sized city of Glendale.

GCC undergraduate students pay an average of $1,171 in in-state tuition and fees each year. Health Professions majors at GCC take out an average of $16,304 in student loans while working on their egree.

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#24

Ventura College

Ventura, CA
$1,394 Average Tuition & Fees

Ventura College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a public school with a fairly large student population.

In-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Ventura College are $1,394 per year. The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Ventura College take out is $16,953.

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#25

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA
$1,332 Average Tuition & Fees

Saddleback College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for health professions students. It came in at #25 on the list. Saddleback College is a large public school located in the large suburb of Mission Viejo.

The average tuition and fees for an in-state undergraduate at Saddleback College are $1,332 a year.

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Rest of the Top Best Value Health Professions Schools in California

#26

American River College

Sacramento, CA
#27

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita, CA
#28

Fresno City College

Fresno, CA
#28

College of the Desert

Palm Desert, CA
#30

Riverside City College

Riverside, CA
#31

Moorpark College

Moorpark, CA
#32

Palomar College

San Marcos, CA
#33

San Bernardino Valley College

San Bernardino, CA
#34

Los Angeles Harbor College

Wilmington, CA
#35

Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA
#36

College of Marin

Kentfield, CA
#37

Cypress College

Cypress, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great value schools for Health Professions students in the state of California seeking value that almost earned our Best Value Health Professions Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
38 Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CA
39 Bakersfield College Bakersfield, CA
40 College of the Siskiyous Weed, CA
41 Reedley College Reedley, CA
42 Pasadena City College Pasadena, CA
42 Golden West College Huntington Beach, CA
44 Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto, CA
45 College of the Redwoods Eureka, CA
46 Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CA
47 Antelope Valley College Lancaster, CA
48 Evergreen Valley College San Jose, CA
49 Rio Hondo College Whittier, CA
50 Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CA

Best Value Health Professions Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Best Value Health Professions Schools in the Far Western US Area or other specific states within that region.

State Degrees Awarded
Washington 10,021
Oregon 5,865
Hawaii 1,126
Nevada 4,207
Alaska 578

Health Professions Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Nursing 322,592
Health & Medical Administrative Services 89,359
Allied Health & Medical Assisting Services 84,492
Practical Nursing & Nursing Assistants 84,274
Allied Health Professions 82,308
Public Health 40,596
Health Sciences & Services 35,945
Rehabilitation & Therapeutic Professions 29,833
Mental & Social Health Services 29,053
Medicine 28,629
Dental Support Services 26,399
Communication Sciences 22,298
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences 20,393
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science 18,901
Somatic Bodywork & Therapeutic Services 10,751
Health/Medical Prep Programs 9,210
Other Health Professions 7,984
Dentistry 6,770
Dietetics & Clinical Nutrition Services 6,158
Bioethics/Medical Ethics 5,115
Alternative Medicine & Systems 3,564
Chiropractic 2,658
Health Aids/Attendants/Orderlies 2,374
Medical Illustration & Informatics 2,089
Optometry 1,822
Advanced Dentistry & Oral Sciences 1,775
Ophthalmic & Optometric Support Services 960
Medical Science 909
Movement & Mind-Body Therapies 294
Alternative Medical Support Services 227
Energy & Biologically Based Therapies 68

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

  • 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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