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Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California

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2023 Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California

387 Colleges
$49,039 Avg Salary
$16,555 Avg Student Debt

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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Course Advisor has created its Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. This report analyzed 387 schools in California to see which ones were the most popular programs for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from the Health Professions program at each school on the list.

The following schools top our list of the Most Popular Health Professions Colleges.

Our 2023 rankings named University of Southern California the most popular school in California for health professions students. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Los Angeles.

While working on their degree, health professions majors at USC accumulate an average of around $23,375 in student debt. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $831, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

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#2

Unitek College

Fremont, CA

A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Unitek College is a great place for health professions students. Located in the large suburb of Fremont, Unitek College is a private for-profit college with a small student population.

While working on their degree, health professions majors at Unitek College accumulate an average of around $16,126 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $141.

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The excellent programs at West Coast University - Orange County helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best health professions schools in California. Located in the city of Anaheim, West Coast University - Orange County is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Health Professions majors at West Coast University - Orange County take out an average of $36,823 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $639.

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You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California list. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, USAHS is a private for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

Full Health Professions at University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences Report

The excellent programs at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best health professions schools in California. Located in the city of San Mateo, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

Health Professions majors at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts take out an average of $15,293 in student loans while working on their egree. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $118.

Full Health Professions at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts Report

#6

Loma Linda University

Loma Linda, CA

Loma Linda University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Loma Linda, Loma Linda University is a private not-for-profit school with a small student population.

While working on their degree, health professions majors at Loma Linda University accumulate an average of around $25,495 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $416.

Read full report on Health Professions at Loma Linda University

#7

National University

La Jolla, CA

National University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. National University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of La Jolla.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at National University take out is $35,705. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $198.

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#8

Sierra College

Rocklin, CA

Sierra College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Located in the large suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a public school with a large student population.

Health Professions majors at Sierra College take out an average of $21,000 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read full report on Health Professions at Sierra College

California State University - Northridge came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. CSUN is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Northridge.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at CSUN take out is $16,426.

Full Health Professions at California State University - Northridge Report

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for health professions students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, Cal State Fullerton is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, health professions majors at Cal State Fullerton accumulate an average of around $15,546 in student debt. This translates to an average monthly loan payment of $209, based on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Health Professions at California State University - Fullerton

California State University - Long Beach came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Located in the large city of Long Beach, CSULB is a public college with a very large student population.

After completing their degree, health professions graduates from CSULB carry an average student debt load of $14,355.

Read full report on Health Professions at California State University - Long Beach

American Career College - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for health professions students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in the city of Los Angeles, American Career College - Los Angeles is a private for-profit school with a small student population.

After completing their degree, health professions graduates from American Career College - Los Angeles carry an average student debt load of $16,505. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $126, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Full Health Professions at American Career College - Los Angeles Report

With a ranking of #14, Carrington College, Sacramento did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. Carrington College, Sacramento is a small private for-profit school located in the large suburb of Sacramento.

Health Professions majors at Carrington College, Sacramento take out an average of $19,996 in student loans while working on their egree. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $94.

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University of California - San Francisco landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular health professions programs. UCSF is a small public school located in the city of San Francisco.

Full Health Professions at University of California - San Francisco Report

Samuel Merritt University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Samuel Merritt University is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large city of Oakland.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Samuel Merritt University take out is $25,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $551.

Read full report on Health Professions at Samuel Merritt University

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

With a ranking of #17, San Diego State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. SDSU is a fairly large public school located in the large city of San Diego.

After completing their degree, health professions graduates from SDSU carry an average student debt load of $18,136. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $231.

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University of California - Irvine ranked #18 on this year’s Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California list. Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public school with a fairly large student population.

While working on their degree, health professions majors at UC Irvine accumulate an average of around $17,273 in student debt. Assuming that a graduate chooses a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly loan payment is $208.

Read full report on Health Professions at University of California - Irvine

With a ranking of #19, California State University - East Bay did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. Cal State East Bay is a fairly large public school located in the large suburb of Hayward.

On average, health professions graduates from Cal State East Bay take out $17,964 in student loans while working on their degree. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $145, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Health Professions at California State University - East Bay

#20

National Holistic Institute

Emeryville, CA

With a ranking of #20, National Holistic Institute did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. National Holistic Institute is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Emeryville.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at National Holistic Institute take out is $9,500. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $74.

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California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular schools for health professions students. It came in at #21 on the list. Cal State LA is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles.

On average, health professions graduates from Cal State LA take out $14,312 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Health Professions at California State University - Los Angeles Report

With a ranking of #22, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at UCLA take out is $19,210.

Full Health Professions at University of California - Los Angeles Report

With a ranking of #22, Azusa Pacific University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for health professions students. Located in the large suburb of Azusa, Azusa Pacific is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.

The average amount in student loans that health professions majors at Azusa Pacific take out is $29,534. The average monthly payment of a loan this size is about $246, assuming that the borrower is on a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Health Professions at Azusa Pacific University

#24

West Coast University - Los Angeles

North Hollywood, CA

West Coast University - Los Angeles ranked #24 on this year’s Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California list. West Coast University - Los Angeles is a small private for-profit school located in the large city of North Hollywood.

After completing their degree, health professions graduates from West Coast University - Los Angeles carry an average student debt load of $36,823. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $639.

Read full report on Health Professions at West Coast University - Los Angeles

Contra Costa Medical Career College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California ranking. Located in the suburb of Antioch, Contra Costa Medical Career College is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.

Health Professions majors at Contra Costa Medical Career College take out an average of $6,333 in student loans while working on their egree.

Read More…

#27

Fresno City College

Fresno, CA
#30

Victor Valley College

Victorville, CA
#33

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA
#34

Santa Rosa Junior College

Santa Rosa, CA
#37

Saddleback College

Mission Viejo, CA
#38

Cuesta College

San Luis Obispo, CA
#40

University of the Pacific

Stockton, CA
#42

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA
#43

University of San Francisco

San Francisco, CA
#44

High Desert Medical College

Lancaster, CA
#48

Los Angeles City College

Los Angeles, CA
#49

Institute of Technology

Clovis, CA

Remaining Award Winners

This list represents the remainder of the colleges awarded a Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California badge. Showing in this list means the school was ranked in the top 15% of the 387 different California health professions schools we analyzed.

Rank College Location
51 Concorde Career College - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
52 California State University - San Marcos San Marcos, CA
53 Butte College Oroville, CA
54 UEI College-Bakersfield Bakersfield, CA
55 Concorde Career College - San Diego San Diego, CA
56 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
57 United States University San Diego, CA
58 Santa Ana College Santa Ana, CA

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also popular but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Most Popular Health Professions Schools in California award.

Rank College Location
59 City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CA
60 UEI College-Gardena Gardena, CA
61 West Coast Ultrasound Institute Beverly Hills, CA
62 Concorde Career College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CA
63 Downey Adult School Downey, CA
64 Chapman University Orange, CA
65 Southwestern College Chula Vista, CA
66 College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA
67 UEI College-Riverside Riverside, CA
68 Palomar College San Marcos, CA
69 Stanbridge University Irvine, CA
70 Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CA
71 UEI College-Fresno Fresno, CA
72 Healthcare Career College Paramount, CA
72 Concorde Career College - North Hollywood North Hollywood, CA
74 Allan Hancock College Santa Maria, CA
75 UEI College-Sacramento Sacramento, CA
75 California State University - San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA
77 Citrus College Glendora, CA

Best Health Professions Colleges in the Far Western US Region

Explore all the Most Popular Health Professions Colleges 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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